Towel rails are one of the last items to buy, and yet, they’re equally important as any other thing in your bathroom. They should be functional, and decorative and serve their purpose. How to choose bathroom towel racks? Consider their design, the space you have in your bathroom and of course your budget. Here are some of the most common choices you can find in stores.
Bathroom Towel Rails
Towel rails are a convenient way to hang up your towels and ensure they dry properly between uses, preventing any unpleasant odours. The most common type of towel rails is wall-mounted, which helps save space on the floor. Ideally, they are placed near the sink or shower for easy access. Some towel rails come with extra features like soap dishes or storage options. You have a variety of materials to choose from, including stainless steel for durability and a modern look, wood for adding character to your bathroom, and PVC for its rot-proof and durable qualities.
Heated towel rails offer the combined benefits of a towel rail and a heater. They are typically wall-mounted and consist of heated horizontal bars for hanging towels. In addition to keeping your towels warm and dry, heated towel rails also gently heat the air in your bathroom, making them a valuable addition to your heating system. They can even serve as the main source of heat for your bathroom.
Heated
Heated bathroom towel racks have a versatile functionality beyond drying towels. They can effectively dry wet clothes and even provide indirect heating to the room, making them particularly useful during the winter season. These are relatively new and often boast a sleek, modern design. Consider installing a heated towel rack during your bathroom renovation to complement a contemporary aesthetic.
- Electrically heated towel racks, as the name suggests, use electricity to dry and warm towels. They’re hardwired or plugged into a wall outlet and most have a timer or an on/off switch. They can be wall-mounted as well as freestanding. Hardwired options are wall-mounted, whereas the plugged-in counterparts come in freestanding style as well as wall-mounted style.
- Hydronic heated towel racks, similarly to a radiator, use hot water to heat and dry the towels. They function by circulating hot water through pipes, typically located in your walls or floor, and cycling this hot water throughout the rack. The water then returns to the boiler for reheating. Some models have an internal heating element with a mixture of water and glycol to warm the bars.
These are more energy-efficient. The great part is that there are visible wires when you install it. However, the installation is complex and requires professional help. There’s one downside with this type, and that’s that they cannot be moved once you install it. This is why these aren’t the best choice for people who rent homes or are considering moving to another location in the near future.
Towel Ladders
If you prefer not to install your rails on the wall, you can always opt out for freestanding ladder racks that look like actual ladders and allow you to hang multiple towels at once. The ladders are one of the most affordable options. Being portable, they are perfect for those who enjoy regularly redecorating their space. They also work as a bathroom decor and will fit perfectly in rustic settings; but even if your bathroom is minimalist or contemporary, such a ladder will look just great.
Rolled Racks
If you need a fresh towel holder, rolled towel racks are a superb option. These come in various sizes, designed to hold different towel sizes. Some designs even feature multiple storage sections on a single rack, suitable for both smaller and larger towels. While these are commonly hung on bathroom doors, many people opt for wall-mount rolled options.
Over-the-Door Racks
The over-the-door rail is another popular option. It usually comes with hooks or bars and has the capacity to hold three to five towels, although some models can hold more. Compared to standing racks, these are the easiest to install. Simply choose a door, hang the rack on it, and place the towels on top. These are more and come in various styles and finishes, including wood, bamboo, brass, gold, and silver.
Consider the Materials
These rails are commonly made from aluminium and mild steel. Mild steel rails are the most popular option because of their affordability and excellent heat retention. On the other hand, aluminium is a more recent option that heats up five times faster. However, rails made of this material are often more expensive. While wood isn’t as commonly used, they’re perfect for creating ladder racks for bathrooms. If you opt for wood, teak is the top choice due to its exceptional moisture resistance. Bamboo is becoming increasingly popular nowadays, thanks to its sustainability.
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