Pig-iron heating radiators: retro decor is back in fashion

In this article we will tell about what retro heating radiators made of cast iron are, what are their advantages in comparison with aluminum and bimetallic counterparts. In addition, we consider the features of the technology of industrial production of these products and describe the requirements that apply to their quality.

The topic of the article today is more relevant than ever before, as the classic decor in the modern interior is becoming more and more fashionable every year. But, giving preference to products made of cast iron, we choose not only the style and originality, but also an excellent heat transfer and operating life of at least 50 years, which you agree a lot.

So, what distinguishes cast iron radiators from other batteries, and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

General characteristics

Today, sectional-type radiators are manufactured from cast iron. With the same success, these structures can be used to construct both central and autonomous heating systems. That is why such batteries are equally in demand when equipping buildings for housing, public and even industrial use.

Given the diverse scope of application, cast-iron radiators are produced not only with different frame sizes, but also with different exterior finish.

For example, there are individual modifications that outwardly differ little from bimetallic counterparts - they have the same smooth lines and a minimum of decorative excesses.

And vice versa, there are modern products made based on the heating equipment of the late 19th - early 20th century. Such products are characterized by a particularly attractive exterior finish with a large number of characteristic patterns.

Among the advantages of cast-iron heating equipment, made in retro style, we note the following qualities:

• Resistance to the long-term aggressive effects of reagents dissolved in the coolant, which is more than relevant when using units in the networks of the central heating system.
• Resistance to sharp temperature changes and, as a result, the possibility of operation in suburban seasonally used houses.
• High inertia and, as a result, longer duration of heat release.

In other words, cast iron radiators heat up longer than bimetallic or aluminum counterparts, but they also give off heat longer. Therefore, turning off the heating, you will not experience discomfort for at least an hour.

• Operational versatility and, as a result, the possibility of application in different heating systems.
• High thermal power per unit length of the device, which allows you to heat rooms with a large area, using a small battery.
• A wide range of colors and, as a result, the ability to choose the product that will more closely match the characteristics of the interior.
• The presence of artistic decoration on the surface of the sections, which eliminates the use of special grids, which are used to cover conventional batteries.

Are there any disadvantages?

Of course, such heating equipment has a number of features that you should pay special attention to when choosing:

• The price of retro radiators is higher than the cost of traditional analogues. However, this is not surprising, since some products made in retro style look like real works of art.
• The weight of batteries made of cast iron is much higher than the weight typical of bimetallic counterparts. Therefore, choosing retro products, first assess the condition of the walls in the room and decide on the features of the installation.
• Another significant drawback is the probability of degradation of intersectional gaskets during the operation of the product for more than 30 years, which leads to the subsequent loss of tightness of the product.

Again, from the experience of operating old cast-iron batteries, it can be assumed that radiator nipples are characterized by their ability to break down after prolonged use, which in turn can again cause leaks.

Important: Cast iron radiators due to long cooling are practically incompatible with the use of thermostats.

A bit of history

Despite the fact that radiators made of cast iron are considered traditional and tested for a long time, the technology itself is a little over 150 years old. Moreover, the merit of the development of the first batteries of this metal is attributed to the domestic metallurgical industry.

In 1857, when all civilized Europe was heated by the heat of massive stoves, a Russian engineer of German origin, Franz Karlovich San-Galli, developed and tested in actual conditions a prototype of an existing radiator.

The casting of these devices in parallel was arranged at the St. Petersburg Machine-Building Plant and in the engineer’s own workshops located at Ligovka. The first mass-produced cast-iron batteries went on sale in St. Petersburg stores selling sanitary equipment.

Due to the lack of experience in building heating systems with water, ordinary water pipes made of bronze were used as a coolant for the pipeline. Later, radiator buyers had the opportunity to purchase special cast-iron pipes, designed for the long-term effect of the heated coolant.

The first model of a cast-iron radiator was called Heizkorper (hot box) and was not like the traditional sectional products we were used to.

The product was a thick-walled pipe of large diameter with a certain number of protruding disk elements. The structure was filled from the inside with hot water and released heat into the environment for a certain period of time.

In fact, the first radiator was nothing more than a continuation of the pipeline, but the technology used at that time is still relevant today in the manufacture of some modifications of industrial batteries. By the way, the term “battery” as applied to the elements of the heating system was first used by F.K. San Gully.

Important: Another proof of the long operational life of cast iron radiators is that the devices manufactured by FK San Galli, to this day, regularly work in the heating system of the building of the former Court Imperial Chapel.

Design features

Traditionally, it was thought that the design of cast iron batteries used in most apartment buildings is far from perfect. And this is true, since in the development and manufacture of such structures, the main emphasis was placed not on design, but on functionality and relatively low cost. As a result of this approach to production, MC series radiators appeared.

But simplicity in the name of functionality and affordable cost was not always the distinguishing characteristic of cast iron batteries. The aforementioned Franz San Galli has developed an art casting technology by means of which one or another ornament can be created on the surface of the product.

By itself, the use of such technology has significantly increased the cost of the product, but it was worth it. After all, the artistically decorated battery does not need to be hidden behind the screen and covered with curtains. On the contrary, artistic casting made in the style of Baroque, classic, modern, retro, etc., will decorate any room.

There is no single answer to the question what is the price of modern artistic casting performed on an industrial scale, but on average the cost of a standard battery consisting of 6-8 sections is comparable to the average monthly salary.

Retro design in the home

For example, in your apartment installed cast-iron radiators MC series. You have planned repair and dream of art casting, but the price of store offers from your point of view is high.

What can be done in this case?

Instructions for self-decoration of cast iron products is not particularly difficult:

• We remove the structure and completely clean the old paint to the metal.
• Next, we are faced with the task of creating embossed patterns that will imitate artistic casting.

We make patterns from a thin layer of cold welding. To do this, we draw an ornament on the surface, and then form a pattern. In order for the pattern not to deform, the height of the relief should not exceed 2-3 mm.

• After the cold welding pattern has hardened, the battery is completely degreased with white spirit and covered with a layer of heat-resistant primer.
• After the ground is completely dry, we remove small irregularities from the surface with fine emery paper.
• The prepared surface is wiped from dust and painted with silver or other metallized paints.

Important: With the correct execution of the above steps, the finished radiator looks little different from expensive art casting. But due to temperature expansions, after about ten years of operation, repairs will have to be performed again.

Conclusion

So, we learned what retro heating radiators are, what are their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, we figured out how to make an imitation of artistic casting with our own hands using available means.

There are questions that need clarification? More useful information you can find by watching the video in this article.