Steel Or Aluminium? Choosing New Radiators For The Home

Okay, so you’re looking at investing in new radiators for your home. But you don’t know what material said new radiators should be made from. That’s where we can help. In this short guide, we’ll weigh up the various pros and cons of steel and aluminium radiators so that you can make the most informed choice based on your preferences.

What Are The Benefits Of A Steel Radiator?

As a material, steel is strong and conductive, which are fantastic properties to have in a radiator.  By far the most common type of radiator, these are the main advantages of investing in new radiators made from steel:

Steel retains heat longer than aluminium

While it doesn’t heat up as fast, steel retains its heat far longer than aluminium does. This means that you won’t be turning the heating back on as often as you would with an aluminium radiator. You’ll be able to hold on to the heat generated for longer, and cooldown will be far more gradual.

A steel radiator is generally cheaper than an aluminium one

In Ireland’s radiator industry, it’s generally accepted that a steel radiator is cheaper than an aluminium one. This is due to the fact that steel radiators are so common when compared to aluminium ones, which are a bit rarer. If you’re in need of new radiators for your home, and you’re looking to keep costs low, then steel could be the way to go. 

Steel is more established

Since steel is the more traditional material to make radiators out of, there are simply more of them around, in all sorts of different styles. If you’re interested in perusing a wide range of new radiators to find the one perfect for you, steel is more than likely the material you’ll want to look at.

Steel is a structurally stronger material than aluminium

One of the primary advantages of steel over aluminium is the sheer strength of the material. Due to the level of carbon present in steel, its strength is far greater than that of aluminium. The last thing you want is to hit your radiator with your knee and leave it with a massive dent, so if you’re after a radiator with serious durability, steel is the way to go.

But What About An Aluminium Radiator?

Aluminium is a fast-acting and eco-friendly alternative to steel in radiator construction. While rarer than their steel counterparts, aluminium radiators have several important advantages over them:

Aluminium will heat up faster

As aluminium is a very effective conductor of heat, it heats up and cools down very quickly, making it far more responsive to thermostat changes than a steel radiator. The faster cooling can be either an upside or a downside from person to person, but if you’re wanting to look at new radiators that are capable of faster heating and cooling, an aluminium one sounds perfect for you.

Aluminium is more eco-friendly

For those who are looking to prioritise living sustainably, an energy efficient aluminium radiator is the way to go. Due to the fact that aluminium heats up faster than steel and requires less water to operate, aluminium radiators require less energy to run. This in turn leads to cheaper energy costs for your home heating.

Aluminium will not rust

Unlike steel, aluminium does not rust. This is because aluminium is a very reactive metal, and will react with the air to form a very thin coat of aluminium oxide around itself, which further protects it from further oxidation. Due to this process, aluminium is actually very resistant to corrosion, whereas steel will rust far more easily by comparison. This gives aluminium a much longer lifespan than steel, so if you’re looking for new radiators that will last a seriously long time, have a look at aluminium for your choice of material.

So Which Is Best?

As with most things, it ultimately depends on your needs and preference. Both materials have fantastic advantages over each other that may sway you depending on what it is you’re looking for. If you’re after something straightforward to buy and install, or just looking to invest in something that matches your style than steel is probably your pick. Meanwhile the environmentally conscious will probably opt for aluminium for their material. Ultimately, it’s down to you to make the most informed decision you can. If you feel like you require further assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch within our awesome team at Pipelife Eco for expert advice today!