House in Progress Diary

I absolutely love your bathroom - especially the shower. That's what we have in mind for our bathroom someday! You guys are doing such a great job with everything.
I like the color of the radiater but I do think it would look better white. I agree that, while it may not be historically correct, I think it would "flow" better. But that's just my opinion - it looks good the grey color as well!

I think white would look slightly better, but I would leave it grey if it were mine, because I wouldn't find it worth the extra work. Grey is good enough.

I also think that white would be a little nicer, but not so much nicer that it's worth a ton of work.

From this photo, I think the grey looks very nice; better than white would look.

Hmm, I really like the grey actually but I think maybe you're right. It would probably be better white for the room & the wall. I just have this philosophy where the radiators should blend as much as possible especially if the room is small.

Was it difficult to paint? (that's probably a stupid question). It might just turn into one of those things that bugs you until you do repaint it though :(

Sorry to have to say this...I've done so many of my own do-overs that recommending them is never easy...but...I think white might be better.

I seem to remember from thermodynamics courses that, the darker the color, the more heat that it will radiate (that's why car radiators and stereo heatsinks are usually painted jet black).

So if heat is not a problem, go for the white if you prefer the look.

But if this is in a part of the house that doesn't get a good hot water/steam feed, you may find the darker gray color works better.

I also seem to remember there being a specialized "heat conducting" paint that's specifically formulated for radiators.

Hope this helps,
.../j

I can't not mention the fact that grey won't show dirt as much as white. I like the grey myself. Our radiator is grey and the color palate in our bathroom is very similar- though our room is smaller and a different layout.

I'd stay with grey- it's authentic and quaint.
I suppose white might be more "invisible" though...hmm...

I agree with Jocelyn on the dirt disquise factor of grey. Also thinking here...is there a chance that the white paint would turn yellowish on the radiator? My vote is stay with grey!

*delurking* I must confess when I saw the photos last week that I thought the radiator stood out. B/c everything else at that level is white against the beadboard wainscoating (toilet, bath, basin, built-in). I vote white but that is b/c I would want it to blend, but others have mentioned good reasons (the cleaning aspect) for it to be kept grey.*lurking*

I like the silver gray. We painted the radiators in our living room and dining room an antique bronze color. The living room has wide white baseboard molding and the dining room we did with white wainscot with the same wide moldings. I like the contrasting radiators - they look very good! In the kitchen we left it silver. Upstairs, the bathroom, in serious need of a remodel job, and the spare bedroom both have radiator covers, so they are untouched. The bedroom that was redone has a darker tone of antique bronze. The other bedroom and what was probably a nursery at one time have radiators in a dark bronze/brown (not metallic) tone that appear to be pretty close to original to this 1920's house.

Based on past experience, white painted radiators turn really nasty looking - yellowing, browning... various shades in between. Of course, this is based on various rentals, you may like touching up every spring.

Also, I have to say that the silver looks more authentic and gives the bathroom an original look. It certainly didn't jump out at me and I didn't think that it stood out, even after looking at the photos two or three times.

I like the grey. It makes a nice color scheme with your upper walls and shower, and as previously mentioned, white radiators tend to turn weird colors and look dirty. Besides, why should you "hide" your radiators? You should be proud of them! After having lived with forced air heat for 3 years, I am dying for radiators, and if I had them I'd show 'em off every chance I had!

I vote gray. Why make it blend in? Take a risk. Radiators are one of the best features of an old house--let it stand out. I don't think it looks bad. I noticed it when you first posted the bathroom pictures and was like, "Ooh, nice." I was also pretty impressed with the location of the radiator, you see I would use it as a towel warmer.

Jocelyn and Tristan are dead right about cleaning the white~ and radiators are never fun to clean under the best of circumstances. It's also true that I've never seen a white cast iron radiator (I have seen new-style glossy steel ones) that stayed white without discoloring.
I also like the contrast approach. Marie's right~ this is part of what your house is... let it shine. It's just too big and prominent (and curviliciously charismatic) to "disappear", so any attempt to get it to blend will likely fail and you'll have diminished what presence and character it naturally has. You've got a detailed and sexy shape sitting away from the wall right at the foot of the tub... it's not going away. I think it's much MORE of a "risk" to try to fight its nature than to just go with it.
Besides, the simple rounded shape of it plays nicely against that of the tub.

I vote for grey as well - it will hide the inevitable dust bunnies that will collect in it much better (I speak from experience - three cats). I predict that Dave will find it to be a very comfortable perching spot in winter.

If you find the color annoying, you can always make or have made a radiator cover in white.

I vote for grey as well - it will hide the inevitable dust bunnies that will collect in it much better (I speak from experience - three cats). I predict that Dave will find it to be a very comfortable perching spot in winter.

If you find the color annoying, you can always make or have made a radiator cover in white.

grey. grey! GREY! I had white radiators in my upstairs... well, they were white. They were painted white by the previous owner, but have since yellowed a bit (but only in some rooms, not sure why), and they show all the dust and dirt. They grew is pretty sharp looking, I'd leave it. I also like the look of radiators, so I think it's nice that it stands out a bit.

Did you have a plumber remove your radiator to paint it, or did you do it yourself?

I vote for grey. White would look better if you were trying to "paint it out" but I think we got over thinking that radiators are unattractive. I stripped a radiator and just left it bare metal, and loved that look.

i would have lived with the raditor being unpaintd.. why remove paint to repaint? i will never appreciate paint on a radiator..

Eric~ Have you had problems with rust or condensation on your unfinished radiators? That seems so cool to me, but I've always assumed that the bare cast iron would corrode.

While I love the utility of radiator covers, they DRASTICALLY cut the efficiency of the radiators they house and also effectiverly change the type of heat from radiant to convective (if I've got my terminology right).

i think i coated it with mineral oil... I forget now who suggested it or if i read it somewhere. Granted the ones I left bare were in bedrooms, so can't vouch for a moist bathroom.

A timely comment about radiator covers on yesterday's Home Front online chat on the washingtonpost.com :

Annapolis, Md.: In last week's discussion, someone asked about radiator covers. Metal covers can be ordered from the Monarch radiator company (monarchrad.com). Wooden radiator covers can be custom made by the Wooden Radiator Cabinet company (woodenradiatorcabinet.com). The wooden ones are much more expensive, but someone comes to your home and measures the radiators. The covers have fronts and sides and slide in front of the radiator. The metal covers have four sides and slip over the top of the radiator and may need adjustments to fit properly. You must measure the radiators yourself. I have two of the metal ones and have been pleased with them. I am waiting for some wooden ones to be delivered in a couple of weeks. It took 3 months for them to be made. One final note: According to an article I read, metal covers are better at conducting heat.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear Annapolis - thanks for keeping us in mind for a week. this is great info.