Expert Guide to Buying Radiator Valves
Your brand new designer radiator was created by passionate and inventive minds who sought to achieve great things by heating your home and warming your heart with a gorgeous radiator. It’s important then to accompany your brand new designer radiator with a set of valves which not only fits perfectly to it, but also complements its finish and design.
Read this handy valve guide to help you find the perfect match for your radiator.
First of all, what is the valve set for? Valves are used to control the flow of water into and out of your radiator, and to control the temperature of the room. Without them you would have no control over your radiator! There are two main types of valves, and they are Thermostatic Radiator Valves (referred to as TRVs) and Manual Valves.
Which valve shape do I need?
The right shape depends on where your pipework comes from, and where the connection point is on your radiator. Check both before ordering — the wrong shape simply won't line up.
Angled valves
Use when pipework comes up from the floor and the radiator's connection is on the side. The angled shape turns the flow 90° from vertical to horizontal.
Straight valves
Use when pipework comes up from the floor directly underneath the radiator's own connection point — no direction change needed.
Corner valves (side)
Use when pipework comes from the wall and the radiator connection is on the side, turning the flow 90° from horizontal to horizontal.
Corner valves (underneath)
Use when pipework comes from the wall but the radiator's connection is underneath — the valve redirects flow downward.
Wall pipework: angled vs corner, which is better?
Both work with wall-mounted pipework, but corner valves are generally the neater choice — they sit closer to the wall, so less pipe is visible on show. Angled valves work too, but leave a short horizontal run of exposed pipe between the wall and the valve. If tidy, minimal pipework matters to you, choose corner; if you already have angled valves fitted and just need a like-for-like swap, angled is the simpler option.
Manual or thermostatic (TRV)?
Once you know your shape, decide how you want to control the heat.
Manual valves
- Simple on/off or open/closed control
- No temperature sensing — you set the flow by hand
- Lower cost, timeless design
- Good for towel rails or rooms where one fixed setting suits you
Thermostatic valves (TRV)
- Automatically maintains your chosen room temperature
- Reduces energy use by not overheating rooms unnecessarily
- The pin inside expands and contracts with heat, adjusting flow on its own
- Best for living rooms, bedrooms and anywhere temperature varies through the day
One practical note: a TRV needs unrestricted airflow around its sensing head to read the room accurately — avoid boxing it in behind curtains or furniture, or it may over- or under-heat the room.
Choose your finish
Once shape and type are settled, it's just about matching your radiator's finish and your room's fittings — chrome for a classic polished look, black nickel or antique brass for a heritage feel, and satin finishes for a softer, contemporary edge.
Mina
For some designer radiators you might not want the extra control of a TRV, so you might choose to go for a neat manual option. Well that’s where the Mina range comes in with its smaller size and soft, rounded shape.
Our Mina range is both sleek and discreet. A small valve means that they aren’t distracting your attention away from the radiator and serve the purpose very quietly. The Mina sets are especially ideal for towel rails due to their small size, paired with the fact that will often just leave a towel radiator set to its maximum setting.
Realm
The next step up from the Mina set is our Realm TRV range. A striking thermostatic radiator valve which allows you to have the direct control you need over each radiator and so each room in your home. While most TRVs on the market look clunky, have oversized heads which don’t ever seem to fit in, our Realm TRV range is slender, made from high quality brass (like all of our accessories), and works with any radiator, modern or traditional.
Cubex
Some radiators simply scream for a square set of valves, particularly cubic designer radiators in Chrome or Stainless Steel. When the aesthetics are more important than being able to control each radiator individually, then completing a straight-edged radiator with our fantastic Cubex valve sets works wonderfully.
The Cubex range is available in Chrome and Satin Nickel finishes, and like all of our valves can be paired with matching Sleeving Kits in the exact same finish option. The smooth visual effect of the Cubex valve is created by using smaller nuts than you will find on other square valves on the market, creating a discreet appearance which centres on the cubic style.
Farringdon
Thermostatic Valves (TRV)Traditional radiators are exceptionally beautiful even amongst other designer radiators, and boast exquisite detail and shape, so it is important that you choose the best valves to accompany them.
The Faringdon TRV set is just such a valve. The Faringdon features a thermostatic head with a classic, genuine wooden wheel for controlling the setting of the valve.
The Faringdon sets are available in 10 completely individual finishes, each of which is just as flexible as the hundreds of finishes available for our traditional radiators. These simply stunning valves are what we recommend for any classic radiator style as they complement the Victorian, Edwardian and Tudor inspiration that cast iron radiators and steel multicolumn draw from.
Don't forget sleeving Kits
AccesoriesFinally, no valve set, whether they accompany a modern or traditional radiator, can be complete without a sleeving kit to match them.
Designer radiators are works of art which deserve equally stunning valves and accessories. Leaving the copper pipe to be seen by all defeats the whole object of choosing a high-end, luxury good like a designer radiator.
Because our Sleeving Kits are manufactured in the same factory as our accessories, each kit can pair together wonderfully with any set of our valves to create an absolutely stunning appearance which otherwise cannot be created.
Not only do our Sleeving Kits conceal the copper pipework, they also feature circular rosettes to push right up again your flooring or your wall in order to hide the cut into the wall which can often look unsightly. It’s safe to say that no valves should be without a matching Sleeving Kit.
Don't forget sleeving kits
If you have exposed copper pipework, a sleeving kit covers it in a finish that matches your valves, completing the look and hiding any imperfections in the pipe run.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: Are valves included with radiators?
A1: No, valves are sold separately so you can choose the shape and finish that matches your pipework and style.
Q2: Can I mix a manual valve on one side and a TRV on the other?
A2: Yes, many installers fit a TRV on the flow side and a manual lockshield valve on the return side, which is actually the standard setup for most systems.
Q3: Do I need a sleeving kit?
A3: Only if you have exposed pipework you'd like to match to your valve finish visually; it's a cosmetic addition, not a functional requirement.
Not sure which valves you need?
Send us a photo of your pipework and our team will tell you exactly what to order.
Call 01257 452 879