Vertical Duoline radiator in Beaten Brass

The Duoline: an aluminium radiator in any colour you want

Written by
Dominic Cuffy

We find out from Dom Cuffy at The Radiator Centre’s St Albans showroom why the new Duoline aluminium radiator is one of his current favourites. From the finish you pick before it’s fitted, to the rooms in the home where it works best, here’s what Dom had to say.

What is a Duoline radiator?

The Duoline is an aluminium radiator with two finishes built into one panel, giving you a bit more control over how it looks in your room. One side is flat and smooth, perfect if you’re after a minimal, panel radiator look. The other has a light, diffusing groove, a texture you don’t often see on aluminium radiators, since most stick to smooth fronts. You pick which one faces the room.

Can you switch finishes after installation?

No, and it’s worth knowing this upfront. You’ll pick your finish, groove or smooth, at the point of installation, and that’s the one you live with. The bracket fixings can mark the paintwork on the reverse, so switching later isn’t possible. Take your time in the showroom with both finishes in front of you, run your hand over each one, and pick the one that feels right before you commit.

Duoline radiator in farrow and ball Green 313

Duoline radiator in Farrow and Ball Reduced Green No.313

Does the Duoline come in many colours?

Yes, there are 21 finishes from the brand, but the real benefit is that colour matching is virtually infinite and entirely by you. You can match the radiator to whatever colour you want. If you want the radiator to vanish into the background, matching it to your wall with a smooth finish is a great option. If you’d rather make the most of the textured side and bring in a complementary colour from elsewhere in the room, we can match to that instead. We’ve matched to plenty of paint brands, including Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, and Paint & Paper Library.

In our showroom, you can see both horizontal and vertical radiators in person. Our smooth Duoline radiator is finished in Farrow & Ball’s Reduced Green No.313, and the grooved version is shown as a vertical radiator in our Beaten Brass finish, so you can compare both textures before deciding what’s right for your space.

Beaten Brass has been a particular favourite. Plenty of customers come in asking for gold or brass tones, and this finish gives you that warmth, similar to brass door handles or light switches you might already have in your home, without the whole radiator dominating the room.

Does colour matching cover the whole radiator?

Yes, every part is colour matched, so there’s no mismatch between visible surfaces. Having the whole radiator in one colour makes a real difference to the overall look.

energy efficient radiator Duoline in Beaten Brass

Energy efficient Duoline radiator in Beaten Brass

What makes it energy efficient?

Aluminium is lighter than the mild steel used on most radiators, so it heats up faster. It also needs less water to reach a high heat output, thanks to how the panel is designed and the way water flows through it. A bulkier steel radiator might need more water, or a bigger footprint, to do the same job, so for the sizes available, the Duoline achieves a high heat output with a good level of efficiency.

Less water content generally means lower running costs, which matters to a lot of the people who come into the showroom wanting good looks without a high bill to match.

Can this radiator be used with a heat pump?

The Duoline has a low water content, which makes it energy efficient because there’s less water to heat, and because it’s aluminium, it heats up quickly, which makes it a strong match for heat pumps.

Radiators that work with heat pumps

Does the quality of aluminium radiators vary?

It does. Aluminium is a light material, so a poorly sourced, cheaper radiator can look good but be flimsy, more prone to damage, leaks, and marking. The Duoline is made in Italy, so you’re getting the kind of finish and attention to detail Italian radiator makers are known for. It’s why we encourage people to visit and compare the materials in person. Sourcing and manufacturing quality matter just as much as the material itself, and the manufacturer’s years of experience working specifically with aluminium are part of what gives the Duoline its durability alongside its looks.

What sizes are available?

There’s plenty of choice, whether you’re after a horizontal or vertical radiator.

Horizontals come in two heights, 500mm and 600mm, with widths ranging from 470mm up to 1800mm. Verticals come in a single height of 1800mm, with widths from 280mm up to 660mm, so there’s an option even for narrower spaces. It projects just 85mm off the wall, so it stays slim and unobtrusive whichever size you choose.

Vertical Aluminium Radiator in Gun Metal Grey in kitchen with herringbone wood floor and wooden kitchen cupboards

Vertical Duoline radiator in gun metal grey a premium colour

Which rooms suit the Duoline best?

The Duoline is lightweight, so it’s a great fit for stud walls in newer homes, where standard steel radiators may be too heavy to wall mount.

Bedrooms suit the smooth side particularly well. It has a less is more feel that suits an elegant, modern room, with slim lines that don’t dominate the space.

Hallways are where the vertical really shines, thanks to that same slim, sleek profile not taking up space or adding to the busyness of a smaller space.

Kitchens are seeing more interest too. Cabinets are often painted in branded colours like Farrow & Ball or Little Greene, and since the Duoline can be matched to the same paints, customers are increasingly choosing a colour that matches their cabinets or walls exactly.

How long is the lead time?

Choose the standard textured white and you’re looking at 3 to 5 working days. Pick any of the 21 colours, or a colour match, and it’s 10 to 15 working days. Either way, it’s a quick turnaround for a radiator finished exactly how you want it, in a size that’s right for your room.