Characteristic features of batteries in retro style. Restoration of cast iron batteries: replacement of intersection joints and painting.
Cast iron radiators have been used in residential heating systems for more than a hundred years, and today no type of heating device has surpassed them in terms of durability and resistance to corrosion.
These heating devices are both domestic and imported. Separate old and new batteries cast iron radiators heating. Which are the best of them, we will consider in our article.
Cast iron radiators - which are better?
Cast-iron heating radiators are still most in demand among Russians. Russian production and foreign. Why such demand remains for them and which cast-iron batteries are better to install in apartment and private houses - let's take a closer look.
Russian-made cast-iron battery
In the West thermal systems cleaner and better quality. Accordingly, cast-iron batteries of a new type (the price is quite affordable) are designed based on better components of heating systems. And Russian central heating systems often consist of low-quality components. For example, heating pipes quite often continue to be used even after several malfunctions: leaks, etc. This applies in particular to sunbeds and risers.
cast iron battery leak
The water used in such systems contains pieces of rust and a considerable amount of chemical compounds that are deposited inside, and as a result, they can adversely affect the functioning of the batteries. The dirt that accumulates inside the heating devices limits the internal clearance and the volume of water flowing through the radiator decreases, heat transfer decreases and as a result it stops heating. In addition, most of our population lives in high-rise buildings, where high pressure- from 10 to 15 atm. So, both old and new cast-iron batteries turned out to be perfectly adapted for such working conditions. In each section of the cast-iron radiator, approximately 1.6 kW.
Old style cast iron radiator
Paradox! Imported production of cast-iron heating radiators appeared on the Russian market earlier than the domestic one, and their first models were not adapted to extreme conditions functioning in our central heating systems. Today, this minus is serviceable and not only Russian cast-iron heating radiators are on sale, but also imported ones, which have become adapted for domestic thermal systems.
New cast iron batteries
A rather unpleasant disadvantage of cast iron radiators is their considerable weight. So, the weight of one section of a cast-iron battery is approximately 7 kg, and if there are deposits inside, then more. Even batteries burst from frost - their maximum weight, since there is ice inside them. And because the old cast-iron battery can be difficult to pull out of the room. In other words, 8 sections have a weight of 56 kg, and 16 weigh as much as 112 kg. They are so heavy, because due to the fragility of the material, their walls must be made thick. And when installing a cast-iron battery, you have to use more reliable fasteners than for aluminum and bimetal. Thus, the replacement cast iron batteries can only be done by experts.
You will also find where you can buy cast-iron radiators.
You may also be interested in an article on the correct painting of radiators at:
Cast iron battery imported
Due to the unpretentiousness of old-style cast-iron batteries in operation (they paint and forget about their existence), the use of such radiators is not only more appropriate, but also good option with a central heating system.
Of course, new cast-iron batteries, the price of which is affordable for an ordinary buyer, look much more attractive than old-fashioned radiators, but the “old men” have not lost their popularity and will fit well into multi-story houses Soviet type, as well as in private residential buildings. Or there is an alternative - you can use it to hide their unsightly design.
Retro cast iron batteries
Both for apartment buildings and private ones, another type of batteries can be used - exclusive retro cast-iron radiators, which are made using artistic casting, as well as new-style heating devices.
If you choose the best cast-iron radiators depending on the quality, then, undoubtedly, imported models will be more practical and durable than domestic ones. But the cost of Russian-made cast-iron batteries, respectively, is less than that of foreign ones.
In addition, there are many ads in RuNet under the category "used cast iron batteries for sale." Therefore, you can even buy cast-iron radiators for a penny at all, which cannot be said about batteries made of other materials.
Cast iron batteries have no equal!
The installation of a cast-iron battery on heating systems with natural circulation water. In addition, today it has been proven that heat from such batteries is more useful than from other types of radiators.
And it is important that manufacturers are now paying more attention to external batteries. Therefore, you can choose a stylish cast-iron radiator that will perfectly fit into the interior of your heated room. That is, old or new cast-iron batteries, imported or domestic - that's as your heart desires!
Old cast-iron batteries and a new sample - photo gallery
Cast iron Soviet battery in Khrushchev
New cast iron radiator with embossed pattern
Old cast iron radiator in the living room
New style cast iron radiator with screen in the bedroom
Cast iron battery in a classic style room
Exclusive custom-shaped cast iron radiator
Bright colors of cast iron batteries or gray are no longer in fashion!
Modern design cast iron radiator
During repairs, we often ask ourselves the question: Is it worth changing an old cast-iron battery? Let's say right away - not everything is good that is new. Replacing heating appliances is troublesome and expensive. Moreover, not all modern radiators are able to withstand the realities of urban heating with honor, many of them can only be used normally in autonomous systems.
So, you reasonably decided that the reliable old cast-iron battery, tested over the years, will still serve. New questions arise: How to increase the reliability of heating appliances of venerable age? How to organically fit them into the interior of the room? How to disguise an unsightly cast-iron "style"? There is nothing complicated, let's understand.
How to make it look right
The first thing to pay attention to is that the battery should perform well. main function- maximize the energy of the coolant. It should not have the slightest hint of leaks (red spots between the sections and on the plugs), as heating failures are very expensive. Ideally, if possible, it is better to do preventive maintenance / tuning of the radiator before restoration: remove; Rinse; install stop valves, Mayevsky crane, thermal heads; replace problem seals. It is very desirable to remove it, because even painting work is best done on a workbench, and not “in place”.
It doesn’t matter whether a decorative screen is subsequently installed or not, but you can’t get away from painting operations, no one has canceled the fight against corrosion. Everything starts with preparation. It is necessary to remove the old paintwork, which over the years has acquired many layers (by the way, they greatly impair heat transfer). If the radiator is dismantled, then you can use a building hair dryer or blowtorch, the paint remover will most likely not help here. So, we heat the paint and clean it with small spatulas. The next step is to remove rust and coating residues with a wire brush. To complete the action, the front surfaces should be walked with large emery. If the radiator is not removed, then you will have to limit yourself to removing exfoliating areas and careful grinding - the formed shells need to be cleaned to zero.
Now the bare old battery is dusted and degreased with a universal solvent. If we talk about chemistry, then it will not be superfluous to pre-treat hard-to-reach places with a rust converter. Well, since we decided to do everything in good faith, then we will prime the radiator with a special composition for metal products. The primer will improve adhesion, increase the resistance of the product to corrosion, and well “toned” the base. The technique of applying a primer is not fundamentally different from the finish, more on that later.
Finally, the old battery is ready for painting. This exciting procedure can be done in various ways: brushes, sponges, mittens, rollers, spray. In practice, the hybrid method has proven itself best: we paint the inner nooks and crannies with a curved brush or sponge, and the more accessible front areas with a spray gun, or a special roller.
Note! Our task is to obtain a minimum thickness, reliable coating. The thinnest layer is given by a spray gun, then comes a sponge, then a brush and a roller.
You can formulate a number of simple rules and recommendations regarding painting an old battery.
First, we paint from the inside, otherwise you can spoil the “facade” of the product.
We cover the surfaces from top to bottom (relevant for a mounted radiator).
We monitor the drips and remove them in time (especially after turning the battery over).
Be sure to paint completely.
Use a mirror to view blind spots.
Two thin layers are more workable than one thick one.
Need to paint cold battery(there are exceptions).
The first layers can be improved by sanding.
Apply specialized coatings.
On sale there are special paints for finishing heating radiators. Oil formulations are a thing of the past, and acrylic, latex, alkyd paints have come to the fore. Their main advantage is resistance to high temperatures and household chemicals, mechanical wear resistance, relative harmlessness. There are compounds that can be applied directly to hot substrates.
All these paints are easily tinted in any color from the main catalogs: PANTONE, RAL, NCS. Agree, it's boring to have a white radiator. Therefore, people are experimenting with might and main - they disguise the old battery as the color of the wall, use various metallics (under gold, under silver, hammer color), play with effects (patina, mother-of-pearl, shine, chameleon, under a tree ...).
What color is warmer?
Often people ask: What color radiator heats better? Theoretically, black color (although it absorbs a lot) radiates heat waves better, but they account for only a small fraction of the efficiency. Much more important is the thermal conductivity of the paintwork and stable convection. Therefore, we paint in small layers, do not clutter up the radiator. In addition, silver paints will conduct heat well, due to the content of a large amount of metals in them. Bright, yellow-red tones perfectly “warm” the soul.
Often an old battery is decorated with a pattern of a certain complexity, ranging from a simple “roll” to airbrushing.
Screen
The old battery can be hidden by a special screen. There are many factory options different materials: metal, plastic, MDF, wood. All of them have special properties and design, certain methods of fastening, their scope and design.
If serial models for a number of reasons do not suit the homeowner, then the screens are made to order. It can be forged gratings, wooden consoles in the form of a piece of furniture, plasterboard constructions.
Do not forget to provide for the possibility of access to the heating device, be sure to paint the old battery, at least clean and prime it. In any case, good air circulation should be ensured, because it is thanks to it that the radiator “works”. On the wall, behind a radiator with a closed screen, you can stick a reflective foil material - this will definitely add a couple of degrees.
There is a common mistake when an old cast-iron battery is closed with a tight casing, or a massive window sill hangs from above. As a result, people complain that the room has become colder, and the new plastic windows have begun to sweat. These problems are solved by inserting ventilation grilles, both into the window sill and into a home-made blind screen. Fortunately, choosing a grid that suits the design will not be a problem.
And yet, according to building codes, the distance between the top of the battery and the window sill should not be less than 100 mm.
Note that some needlewomen create very interesting curtains for radiators using a combination of nets, textiles and Velcro attached to the windowsill. Special covers for batteries look pretty fresh. They, of course, isolate the heat source, but this is sometimes just what you need - for example, for a child's room.
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Various types of heating equipment are used to heat the atmosphere in residential, office or industrial premises. One of the most popular are all kinds of radiators. They can be made of various metals and metal alloys: aluminum, copper, cast iron, steel. Cast iron heating radiators are not the cheapest at prices, but given the long service life of such equipment, the high price for it can be considered quite justified.
Advantages of a cast iron radiator
One of the main advantages of cast iron is its high level of corrosion resistance. Therefore, such radiators are often used in systems with a high level of coolant contamination. Such a radiator will endure corrosion, prolonged exposure to bad water and much more. Another of its advantages is the ability to work smoothly at high working pressure. Therefore, the purchase of a cast-iron heating radiator is advisable for boiler rooms, garages, warehouses and other industrial premises.
The design of a cast-iron radiator weighs more than aluminum, so it cannot be so easily hung on a fragile wall or moved from place to place. But this is compensated by a high degree of reliability and the longest durability of all types of radiators.
Our company is engaged in the sale of thermal equipment, incl. cast iron radiators in Moscow and regions of Russia and offers its customers to buy heating radiators made of cast iron and many other materials. All our products are of high quality and affordable prices. If you need to keep warm in a residential, office or industrial premises, then our thermal equipment will effectively help you with this. And the extensive experience of our specialists will serve as a guarantee that you can always get qualified consulting support on issues of interest to you.
Despite the appearance on the market of more "advanced" heating devices, the usual cast-iron heating radiators have their customers. They are distinguished by a long service life, resistance to high temperatures. Popularity is also facilitated by the fact that there are inexpensive models.
Design features
Cast iron has low ductility, which does not allow you to quickly change shape. Products from this alloy are only cast into finished molds. No other processing is applicable to this metal. This feature explains the fact that sections of the same form have been produced for decades: modernization is too difficult.
Most of cast iron batteries has a sectional structure. An increase or decrease in thermal power occurs by increasing or decreasing the number of sections. To ensure tightness, rubber, silicone or paranitic gaskets are placed between the sections. The sections are connected to each other by means of nipple nuts.
If antifreeze circulates in the system, the entire battery will have to be sorted out before installation: install paronite gaskets. Factory installed rubber, this fluid will corrode very quickly.
The building sections themselves are:
- single-channel (rare, usually high models);
- two-channel (almost the entire range);
- three- and four-channel (also rare, have a large thermal power, but also a rather large depth);
In addition to the number of channels in the section, its shape plays an important role. It is round and oval. Models with oval manifolds are more reliable, have less hydraulic resistance(the oval should be wide). This is important for gravitational systems.
The wall thickness is also important. Here, probably, you need to stick to the middle: if the walls are too thin, it can be fragile, and too thick will lead to the fact that the radiator will heat up for a very long time and weigh a lot. And without that average weight one section of the order of 6-8 kg.
Sections of a cast-iron radiator can have different sizes: the depth depends on the number of channels, and another key parameter - height, depends on the center distance.
The center distance is measured between the centers of the collectors for supplying coolant. This is one of the main characteristics when choosing a radiator. The total height of the section for different models with the same center distance can vary significantly.
The center distance can be from 300 mm to several meters, but the most popular is 500 mm. It was this size that the “Soviet accordions” were, for such distances it was planned (and still continue to develop) heating systems in private and high-rise buildings. So in some places these “grandfathers” still stand, then in order not to digest the system, they put new models of the same size. And sometimes it is not even necessary to outweigh the brackets.
In the names of models, there is often a designation of center distance: for example, or. The number 500 is the center distance in millimeters, and the first number in the MS is the depth of the section.
What are the advantages
If a product is sold for such a long time, it means that it has more advantages than disadvantages. This is also true for cast iron batteries.
Low reactivity
We have long accepted as a fact that the coolant in our systems central heating, to put it mildly, far from the standard. Moreover, this fact had to be taken into account by global manufacturers who supply their goods to our market. They develop special reinforced models aluminum radiators, renewed and improved bimetallic.
The only equipment that does not require adaptation to our networks is cast-iron radiators. And all because this alloy is chemically inert and almost does not collapse from contact even with such a coolant as in our networks. Among other types of heating devices, the most resistant are. They can stand at Ph from 6 to 9, some models up to 10.5. This is also a lot, but when choosing cast iron in general, you can ignore this factor. They work with any hydrogen activity.
Beautiful heating radiators - cast iron can be very attractive
According to this parameter, only, perhaps, stainless steel can compare with it. And with such a core, several models of bimetal are produced, but what can scare away is the price for them.
Long service lines
Our networks have cast iron batteries that are over 50 years old. And this is when working with our coolants. In general, manufacturers give guarantees for 10-15 years, which is also more than enough, but in fact they will stand for 20-30 years without problems.
What they need for long-term operation is periodic flushing. If the system does not have a filter and / or a sump, all the debris carried by the coolant settles inside. If the system is not flushed for a long time, everything can become clogged with salts, slag, sand, “tears” from welding, etc. Once every few years, the radiator must be removed (for this, put on the supply and on the "return") and rinsed.
Low price
Indeed, there are models of cast-iron radiators that cost a little. But these are the same, traditional "Soviet" type. You can’t call them a model of elegance, but this is the most inexpensive option. Their price is from 270 rubles per section. Others, more modern forms, are already from 500 and above.
Low hydraulic resistance
According to this parameter, only welded steel registers and some aluminum models are more or less close to cast-iron heating radiators. But steel breaks down pretty fast, uh appearance they have, perhaps, even worse, so they do not constitute much competition. Aluminum is not in all networks, not with all antifreezes, so it also does not particularly compete.
Low hydraulic resistance is very important for systems with natural circulation. So when installing such a system, there is not much choice: cast iron is unconditionally suitable, all the rest - you need to look at the parameters and operating conditions.
High operating temperature
According to this characteristic, no other heating devices can be compared with them. Is that steel, and even then not all. And cast iron can easily endure ambient temperatures up to +150 o C. For bimetallic ones, a temperature of +100 o C or +110 o C is declared, but it is desirable that it does not exceed +95 o C.
Disadvantages of cast iron radiators
There are not so many qualities that can be attributed to the pure "cons" of cast iron batteries. Most of the disadvantages in some cases can be used as advantages.
Big weight
There are no discrepancies here. Heavy weight is inconvenient during transportation, installation and maintenance. Not only is it hard to wear them, you can't hang them on every wall. Foam concrete or gas silicate will not hold them unequivocally, there is nothing to hope for. Is it possible to put not wall models, but standing ones - on legs.
Brittleness and low working pressure
Big weight and fragility - not the best combination. Especially when transporting. And even during operation, one blow can destroy the section. She will simply burst. This quality also limits the working pressure: it differs for different models, but on average from 9 atm to 12 atm. According to this parameter, both cast aluminum (20-30 atm) and bimetallic ones (30-40 there, and the Monolith from Rifar generally have 100 atm) are better.
Small power and large size
The heat transfer of cast iron is five times lower than that of aluminum. But this applies to the metal itself. The difference between the sections is not so great: about 1.2-1.5 times. On average, the heat transfer of one section of a cast-iron battery is about 150-160 watts. This leads to the fact that more sections are required for heating and the battery has a longer length.
Large volume
Inside the section of a standard size (two-channel with a center distance of 500 mm) is placed up to 0.9 liters of coolant. For comparison: in aluminum 0.35 - 0.42 liters, in bimetallic 0.2 - 0.25 liters. This leads to a large volume of the system. For apartments, this is not critical, but for individual heating leads to high costs. First of all, a large expansion tank is required, then more powerful pump. And to everything, all this coolant needs to be heated, that is, more is needed. In this case, fuel consumption is also higher.
Properties that can be attributed to both pluses and minuses
Appearance
If they say "cast-iron heating radiator", everyone imagines the "accordion" of the Soviet era. But today there are models that look very good. There are even those with a flat front panel, which are very similar in shape to aluminum and bimetallic ones. But the prices for such models of cast-iron heating radiators are no less. Inexpensive models also look accordingly.
In fairness, it must be said that they do not seek to close unless designer batteries. And if you plan to hang a decorative screen, the degree of attractiveness of what is hidden behind it does not matter.
Large thermal inertia
Thick walls are high reliability, but it is also a slow warm-up. While the cast-iron battery heats up, quite a lot of time passes. All this time the room remains cold. And that's bad. Because of this quality, they are not put with or automatic: it makes no sense. Too slowly they react to changes in the temperature of the coolant.
Large thermal inertia is not always a bad thing
But on the other hand, if the heating is turned off, the heat accumulated in the thick walls will maintain a normal temperature for a long time.
Large thermal inertia becomes a plus when used with . The temperature of the coolant in such systems varies over a very wide range: it either boils (or almost boils), or almost does not heat up. And thermal inertia allows you to smooth out these jumps.
Types and their technical characteristics
What pleases today is that if you wish, you can find heater any style and design. Not necessarily cast-iron radiators - this is that not very attractive "accordion" that everyone is used to.
Cast iron batteries of a new type
AT modern interiors radiators with a flat front surface fit best. And among the cast iron ones there are also a lot of them.
Turkish DEMRAD RIDEM
Depending on the power, there are two, three and four channel. Working pressure - 10 bar (atm), test (pressure) 15 bar (atm). Specifications are given in the table. The number of channels is indicated in the title through a fraction. Supplied without painting - with a primed surface.
Viadrus style
These are cast-iron heating radiators of a new type, it is possible to order a modification with a lower connection. They are shipped from the factory in sets of 10. There are two options - factory-coated with white enamel or primed for painting. Non-standard and stylish shape, high degree of heat transfer and small size - these are the distinguishing features of this model.
Radiators from the Czech company Viadrus - quality without reservations
Belarusian 2K60PP
This is a two-channel model with a flat front surface. Due to mechanical processing, the front panel is smooth, which not only improves the appearance, but also increases heat dissipation. What else they are good for is that they can be installed "on legs". Supplied primed.
Decorative and "Retro"
Not everyone and not always plans or wants to install decorative screens on radiators. And there are a considerable number of unusual models of different styles on the market.
Belarusian 1K60P-60X500 "BAS-RELIEF"
The same Minsk plant produces single-channel radiators with a three-dimensional pattern. The overall dimensions of the section are small, which allows them to be installed under small window sills, low power leads to the fact that the whole panel is assembled. Looks interesting.
The model "Bas-relief" of the Minsk plant has a shallow depth, it can be installed even under narrow window sills (click on the picture to enlarge it)
Russian cast-iron radiators "Retro"
ZAO PKF "RADIMAX" from Podolsk manufactures and paints cast-iron radiators in the "retro" style. They are sold under their own RETROstyle brand. The range includes 16 models of different sizes. Below are the technical parameters of only one Windsor model. Working pressure - 10 atm, pressure testing 15 atm.
"Retro" Russian production
What is nice is that any of the radiators can be painted in any color. Moreover, it can be not only one-color coloring, there is also patination and manual selection of the pattern, there is grinding of different depths. But, of course, all these works increase the already considerable cost of the product.
This is one single brand. But it is produced by different factories in almost all countries of the post-Soviet space. Their parameters are the same - there is a GOST that normalizes them. If you need to choose, then by the quality of the casting, the alloy itself and the degree of smoothness of the external and internal surfaces.
Available in two sizes - with center distance of 300 mm and 500 mm, all specifications for them are given in the tables.
Results
In some cases, there is simply nothing to replace "cast iron" with:
- in one bundle with unregulated solid fuel boilers;
- where there is a very aggressive coolant (Ph above 9-10).
But today, cast-iron heating radiators are not only an old "accordion". There are many different models in different styles and sizes. So in any case, there are plenty to choose from.
Modern cast iron radiator
Cast iron, despite its unsightly appearance, has one huge advantage over other materials used to make heating batteries is durability. Therefore, getting rid of heating used for each owner is a problem, despite overhaul the entire dwelling. After all, for decades they have been heating the apartment in the cold season, creating comfort and coziness for the people living in it.
In this case, it is worth putting the old batteries in order so that they can perform their functions better, and try to change their appearance.
What are remarkable cast-iron batteries
Sectional cast-iron batteries are installed, as a rule, in multi-storey buildings. Their positive properties are:
- resistance to corrosion;
- low susceptibility to the poor quality of the supplied coolant;
- durability;
- affordability;
- functionality;
- thermal power;
- strength;
- thermal inertia.
However, they have a number of significant disadvantages:
- large mass;
- unattractiveness;
- roughness of the inner walls;
- the need for periodic painting.
But, despite the disadvantages, many owners do not seek to get rid of old cast-iron batteries. They are trying to restore them and bring them into proper shape, rightly believing that a “tried friend” is able to serve honestly and reliably for more than one year.
Don't jump to conclusions
Solving any problem should never be in a hurry. This also applies to cast iron batteries. Of course, most craftsmen will advise you to change old radiators for more modern ones, but you should not rush. Such cardinal methods should be used only if the cast iron has cracked, or the battery has completely failed for some other reason and cannot be restored. . In most cases, old cast-iron radiators can always be updated.
This raises a lot of questions:
- How to improve reliability?
- How to improve the appearance?
- How to fit into a new interior?
- How to hide the shutoff valve?
This list, for sure, can be continued by everyone. Let's try to figure it out.
What can be done?
The cast-iron battery is obliged to perform its functions to the maximum, the main of which is heating. Therefore, before restoration, some preventive work should be carried out.
Note! Before you start them, you need to invite a plumber and make 100% sure that there is no water in the system. Important point- Prevention can only be carried out outside the heating season.
Decorative radiators
So, you need:
- remove the battery and put plugs on the pipes;
- flush the inside of the radiator;
- change problematic seals, which are easily identified by red smudges between sections or on plugs;
- install, if necessary, a Mayevsky crane, as well as shut-off valves and thermal heads.
With the battery removed, it is much more convenient to work, so when it is overhauled, this cannot be avoided. The radiator is laid on a workbench or a suitable table and the process of removing old layers of paint that have overlapped over the years begins. It is important to know that they significantly reduce heat transfer. Paint remover is unlikely to help with multi-layer coating, so it is recommended to use a building hair dryer and a narrow spatula. Rust and remaining pieces of paint are removed with a wire brush. In case of unwillingness or impossibility to remove the battery from its place, only peeling paint is removed from the radiator, and the drops are carefully polished until completely leveled.
- treated with a rust converter;
- wiped with a damp cloth;
- degreased with a solvent;
- primed with a composition intended for metal surfaces;
- painted in any convenient way.
White color and oil paints are a thing of the past. In modern homes, you can find batteries painted to match the color of the walls. Different metallics look good and give more heat. The heating effect will create a bright orange or red color, and an ornament or airbrush will make the radiator original and unique. Sections can be painted different colors or make a convex pattern on their surface with a contour for a stained-glass window, followed by varnishing.
The battery can be hidden behind a special screen, but it will certainly reduce the flow of heat fluxes. There are a lot of design options for heating appliances, and every home master will definitely find something suitable for himself.
History of cast iron radiators
Many families are accustomed to such a battery.
Cold has always been associated with discomfort and has been causing trouble for people since ancient times. At that distant time, they tried to warm themselves by the fire, insulated themselves and their homes with skins. As the centuries passed, stoves and fireplaces began to appear, channels were arranged in the houses through which hot air moved to other rooms. But this solved the problem of heating only partially. A positive result was achieved when it was invented water system heating, and radiators appeared.
It is known that more than two thousand years ago in Ancient Rome there was a system in many respects similar to modern water heating of houses. If we take a later period, then we can say with confidence that at the end of the 17th century, with the help of a liquid heat carrier moving along special coils, in Europe they warmed the air in greenhouses and greenhouses. But this method was ineffective. In living quarters water heating appeared only in the first half of the 19th century.
Note! The prototype of a cast-iron radiator first appeared in St. Petersburg, where the first cast-iron heating device was cast in the workshop of the Russian entrepreneur, inventor and manufacturer Franz San Galli. It happened in 1855.
The invention was called "heitzkerper", which sounds like a "hot box" in translation, and outwardly the battery only remotely resembled a modern cast-iron radiator. Its design consisted of several thick pipes and vertical disks. Within a short time, the novelty gained popularity not only in Russia, but also in countries where they know firsthand what the cold season is.
Such a battery fits perfectly into a modern interior.
Encouraged by the success, San Galli began to think about how to give the battery a more attractive appearance, so he began to open new foundries one after another. Radiators began to be used in systems not only for water, but also steam heating. Models were decorated with patterns and ornaments. The structures were bulky, but withstood pressures of several atmospheres. By the way, in Tsarskoye Selo there is the oldest cast-iron battery, which is more than a hundred years old. The year of her birth is 1896! It has not only been preserved in excellent condition, but is still functioning.
Decorative radiator at the exit to the terrace
It would seem that no one needs outdated cast-iron batteries. But it turns out that they are experiencing their second birth! Retro and steampunk styles are in fashion now, the attributes of which are steam engines, telegraphs, gas lamps, tailcoats, hoods, tarpaulin boots, factory pipes and accessories from the Victorian era.
Some European and American manufacturers have even begun producing 19th-century style cast iron radiators featuring artistic castings and matching valves. Externally, the models may well compete with antique batteries - they are aesthetic and quite expensive.
Conclusion
Starting to make major repairs and thinking about replacing heating radiators, you should not rush. If the old cast iron batteries are not out of order, then it is hardly necessary to throw them away. After all, only cast iron has sufficient resistance to the aggressive environment of the coolant located in the centralized heating network. Moreover, used radiators are quite amenable to restoration.
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