Latest News

Castrads brand new website is here! Now, browsing and buying your cast iron radiators is even easier.

The new website features beautiful, high-resolution images of each radiator model, an improved radiator builder tool and an updated heat requirement calculator. We hope the new site will enhance your online browsing experience and make it as straightforward as possible to select and purchase your new cast iron radiators. Read more about the new features below:

Castrads' new website showcases each cast iron radiator model on its own page. High-resolution photographs and an excellent zoom function give you an up-close view of the casting, pattern and finish. A full chart of price options for that model is also included along with a handy size calculator. You can use this size calculator, an online tool unique to Castrads, to work out the number of sections you need according to your heat requirements or the length of radiator you require. This tool is particularly useful if you're dealing with length restrictions: fitting radiators under bay windows or into a recess, for instance. The combination of these features means that when you browse radiators on Castrads.com, all the key information you need is clearly displayed on a single page.

Bespoke radiator builder

There's also a new and improved radiator builder, offering an even more intuitive way to compile your online order. The radiator builder, also unique to Castrads, helps you to visualise your bespoke cast iron radiator before you place your order. Select different combinations of model, finish and size and watch your radiator change as you alter the options. Once you're happy with your choice you can add accessories, such as valves and wall-stays, and then submit your order direct from the radiator builder page in one easy step.

Our new radiator builder is based on photographs rather than graphics making the preview image far more realistic. The colours have also been made more accurate to give a closer match to the final finish. There's a sliding scale for adding or removing radiator sections and the tool automatically adds the required number of feet sections and wall stays to radiators over a certain length. Another key advantage is that, with the new radiator builder, customers can now order oversize cast iron radiators, up to three metres long, entirely online with all the necessary accessories added to their order accordingly. So it's easier than ever to order your cast iron radiator from Castrads.

Three-in-one heat calculator

Our new heat requirement calculator has two options tailored to your needs throughout the process of selecting your radiators. One calculator is more basic giving a rough estimate of your heat requirements in a few quick steps. The other is an advanced calculator that requires more detail to give a more accurate result. You can use the first, approximate figure as a guide when initially browsing the Castrads range. This will give a rough idea of what size radiator you need and also help you select the right model. The more advanced calculator comes in further down the line when you're ready to place your order and need to ensure your radiators will fully meet your heat requirements.

All of our cast iron radiator accessories, from luxury thermostatic valves right down to the smallest blanking plugs, now have their own page, displaying high-resolution images and more product information. With these new website features, buying your cast iron radiators from Castrads has never been easier. Castrads' handy new tools not only assist you in making the perfect choice of cast iron radiators for your property, they also help you visualise the final product in your home.

Try out these new features - only on the new-look Castrads.com.

We've had an expert evaluate the carbon footprint of cast iron radiators. Here's what he found out...

Castrads' own cast iron radiators have been used on the set of the latest IKEA commercial, which is being filmed this week in studios near Stockholm, Sweden.

The set designer for this commercial was looking to create an authentic home aesthetic, and decided on Castrads' 4 Column 30" cast iron radiators painted in our standard Pewter. The dark coloured cast iron radiators are offset dramatically against a pale 'old' white wall and finished with our Windsor Polished Nickel thermostatic radiator valves.

We're thrilled that our products have been chosen to feature in such a prestigious production. We're not yet sure when this advert will be on our screens but we'll be sure to make some noise when it is!

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Castrads

Adapting UK manufactured radiators for use in North America.

When connecting a male and female thread, it's not just the diameter that is important but also the number of threads per inch and their pitch.

Threads for use with plumbing are standardised across most of the world. This standard is called British Standard Pipe thread (BSP) and is available both in a tapered and non tapered (or parallel) form.

In the United States and Canada, the dominant pipe threads use a different standard called NPT, or National Pipe Thread. Although very similar to BSP, the pitch and number of threads per inch is slightly different to that used under the BSP system.

Castrads' cast iron radiators are manufactured with standard BSP threads and for most of our exports this is compatible with the local plumbing, yet increasingly we're selling radiators in North America, both for commercial and residential properties. There are only two points of connection between the cast iron radiator and the valves (and in steam systems, as are used extensively in the USA, often only one conduit between the radiator and pipe that acts as both flow and return). That's good news for us - it means that there's a maximum of two connections where there's an issue with cross compatibility of NPT and BSP thread types.

BSP to NPT Reducing Bushes

To overcome the cross compatibility issue, we've had some reducing bushes made especially for use with Castrads' cast iron radiators in the USA and Canada. These reducing bushes are British Standard Pipe thread on the male side that screws into the cast iron radiator, but reduce down to a female National Pipe Thread (NPT) connection. A cast iron radiator fitted with a BSP to NPT reducing bush is ready to be plumbed into any standard North American central heating system with no compatibility problems and no conspicuous conversions.

We have BSP to NPT reducing bushes in a variety of sizes, including 1.5" BSP to 1" NPT, 1.5" BSP to 0.75" NPT and 1.25" BSP to 1" NPT. Give us a call on 0161 2970015 to order, or send us an email.

We also stock a large range of reducing bushes for use with new or reclaimed cast iron radiators in a wide variety of sizes. View our range of cast iron radiator accessories.

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Castrads

We've knocked 40% off some of our most popular cast iron radiators!

With up to 40% off the list price of some of our most popular cast iron radiators, now's the time to buy. 

See all our cast iron radiator models to find the style that's best for you. Remember that we can paint any of our radiators in a wide variety of shades, including many from Farrow & Ball's range of traditional paints.

We've got the most comprehensive finishing equipment in the cast iron radiator industry as far as we're aware and a team of experienced finishing technicians to match. So you can rest assured that your radiators will arrive in the best possible finish available on the market today.

At Castrads, we know that it's the finishing touches that count. We stock a wide range of thermostatic and manual radiator valves, all hand selected for their unrivalled quality and unmatched elegance.