For efficient heating of rooms with panoramic glazing or wide enough "French" windows, a non-standard solution will be required. One of the possible options is to install low batteries, which guarantee high-quality heating of the apartment, and also prevent the spread of cold and icing of the glass. This approach to solving the problem is the only correct one, except for the cases when thermal curtains are used. In choosing the right type of radiators for panoramic windows, familiarity with the design features of these devices, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, will help.
Design features
Floor-standing heaters are represented on the domestic market by a rather modest assortment, since they are not in high demand. They are used only in special cases associated with the presence of panoramic windows in residential premises. The design of radiators of this class differs from standard samples in the location of the ribs on the body, as well as in their appearance and dimensions.
The minimum dimensions of a typical sample are half a meter in length, 0.1 in depth and 0.2 meters in height. Their maximum dimensions for some models can reach 600x230x50 mm, respectively. In addition, the design features of individual samples of low radiators for panoramic windows are associated with the materials used in their manufacture.
Purpose of low floor standing batteries
Floor-standing appliances are in demand when the installation of conventional or "classic" batteries is unacceptable. This applies to apartments with panoramic windows, in which the installation of high radiators spoils the appearance of the rooms. Most often this manifests itself as a violation of the proportions of spatial forms, accompanied by the following undesirable phenomena:
- high batteries partially block the internal view (even if their center-to-center distance does not exceed 350 mm);
- with any installation method, they do not look very attractive in the window sill;
- they spoil the view of the panoramic facades from the street side, since the part of the batteries protruding above the lines of the windows looks not at all aesthetically pleasing.
Low heating radiators for panoramic windows stand out for their diminutiveness - together with the support legs, their height rarely exceeds 150-200 mm.
To connect low batteries, a pipe connection is selected that corresponds to their intended purpose - not to clutter up the front part of the windows. In this case, it will be more convenient to bring the heating pipes directly from the side walls or directly from the floor.
Advantages and disadvantages
The declared advantages of low horizontal radiators are determined by the already discussed features of their application. They are manifested in the following:
- small dimensions, comparable to the dimensions of their baseboard counterparts;
- high heat transfer, which is a distinctive characteristic of most models of floor-standing radiators, with the exception of cast iron samples;
- attractive appearance that does not spoil the interiors of modern premises;
- a wide range of colors, from traditional white to a large palette of different shades.
In addition to the gradations of white, in some design solutions, the technique of stylization under a tree or stone is used.
The pluses of the heaters include the ease of installation associated with the method of placement in the window sill. Usually they are installed on the legs already available on the body of the product, after which the user will only have to connect the pipes to the lower connection. Individual specimens are fixed directly on the floor surface or straddled directly into it. With their help, it is possible to heat rooms of considerable area, as well as to place them close to the walls, without cluttering the living space.
The disadvantages of heating batteries of this class include:
- limited ways of laying pipes - the need for embedding into the wall or floor;
- the possibility of using only one heating method - convection;
- the complexity of the selection and purchase of a model suitable for specific operating conditions.
The disadvantage of the products is the relatively high cost declared by the manufacturer. It is significantly higher than that of the classic battery samples.
Materials used
According to the type of material used in the manufacture, radiators for French windows are divided into the following types:
- Cast iron batteries, obtained by casting and representing a continuous heating section.
- Steel structures assembled from individual plates in combination with a tubular base.
- Cast or extruded aluminum radiators.
- Bimetallic products, in the manufacture of which two metals of different structure and characteristics are used.
Cast iron belongs to fragile materials, which limits the value of the permissible water pressure inside the battery sections. In addition, due to the rough surface, various impurities accumulate on their internal planes, reducing the effect of heat transfer. On the other hand, cast-iron water radiators keep heat well within the working area and are not subject to the destructive effects of salts dissolved in the coolant.
Features of the design of steel batteries, recruited from separate plates, allow to increase the level of convection and heat transfer. But they are also the reason for the frequent formation of blockages in the places where the plates are attached to the tubes.
The main advantage of the aluminum-based battery is its low weight and the ability to "hold" the increased pressure of the coolant. On the other hand, their convection performance is worse than that of cast iron and steel products. In addition, aluminum is not as strong as other metals and is not adaptable to frequent water hammering.
Bimetallic radiators, which combine two different materials, are usually made of copper tubes with aluminum or steel plates placed on them. The tubular base of such a product is capable of withstanding a pressure corresponding to several tens of atmospheres. At the same time, it is not subject to the destructive effects of the coolant, long-term contact with which for copper does not seem to be a problem.
The service life of such batteries is comparable to that of a cast iron product.
Bimetallic radiators are not too large, however, due to heat loss in the plate attachment areas, the heat transfer efficiency is slightly lower than that of their aluminum counterparts.
How to choose the right radiator for panoramic windows
Competently choosing radiators for panoramic windows in an apartment will help to comply with the following rules:
- Before buying, you should decide in advance on the total length, which is measured directly at the installation site. It usually varies from 280 to 600 mm.
- It is also important to pay attention to the height of the product, measured in mm.
- You will need to choose the type of radiator according to the metal used in it, based on the technical characteristics given in various sources.
- It is important to decide on the type of eyeliner in the apartment and choose a product sample suitable for it;
- It will not be superfluous to evaluate the design of the models offered by a particular manufacturer by carefully examining the photos presented on the website of the selling company.
Despite the fact that in most cases trade organizations offer one well-known brand ("Kermi", made in Germany), it will not be superfluous to get acquainted with various models from this manufacturer.
Due to the specifics of their application, compact radiators for panoramic windows are not yet in great demand among Russian consumers. However, taking into account the constant improvement of the living conditions of modern people, they are considered promising products that attract the attention of those who care about the comfort of users.
