Home Comfort with Castrad's Katie Dawson
There’s an undeniable charm in a well-crafted home — one where every element, from architectural details to the quiet hum of warmth, feels intentional. Yet, in the world of interiors, radiators often remain an afterthought, functional but uninspired. Castrads is changing that narrative.
For over a decade, Castrads has been reimagining radiators as sculptural statements. At the heart of this revolution is Katie Dawson, a guiding force in the brand’s commitment to marrying old-world craftsmanship with modern efficiency. From restoring intricate cast-iron designs to innovating with custom finishes and tailored heat solutions, Castrads is setting a new benchmark for home comfort. In this conversation, Katie unpacks the essential role of radiators in shaping a space, how warmth is as much about aesthetics as it is about function and what truly sets Castrads apart in a market saturated with mass production.
Because, as any design aficionado knows, the magic is in the details — and, yes, that includes the radiators.
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Radiators often get overlooked in the renovation process. Why is it important to give them proper consideration and how can they impact the overall project?
Katie: How much time is spent pouring over charts and painting samples on the walls in your home? Whether to sand or carpet your floors? And can you make the sofa of your dreams fit? Up until recently the radiator was something that was just always there, and it was white, and usually the least unattractive item in the room standing out from the rest of the decor. If you’re thinking of switching out your current radiators it’s important to get an idea of your requirements early on, Cast iron as a fabric is different to steel, and chances are the sizing will be different, so discussing this early on in your project will stop any surprises further down the line. With so much choice available the radiator is now a very important piece of furniture, and lead times for both production and installation will play a huge part of the process.
When it comes to radiator positioning, what factors should be considered to ensure optimal performance and integration with the room’s design?
Katie: For decades radiators have been placed under windows, and that’s still the same today. It saves you taking up vital wall space elsewhere where furniture placement might be key and frames the area nicely. Ideally we always recommend sizing the radiator and valves to sit within the width of the window area. Always remember to consider doors and where they open to if radiator placement is located near to one, and whether or not you might end up placing your radiator behind your sofa.
What sets Castrads aside from other brands?
Katie: We are a family business that constantly strive for quality with all of our Cast Iron radiators being assembled in our factory in Stockport Nr Manchester, and we are proud to be part of the ‘Made in Britain’ family. Two of our four iron ranges have been designed in house and are produced solely for us, this allows us a greater aspect of quality control. We offer a wide variety of services for our customers depending on their needs, and continue to build on the tools that both customers and installers will find key as part of the purchase and installation process. We build radiators that we hope to last centuries.
Style and design are increasingly important in-home renovations. How does the style of a radiator contribute to the overall aesthetic of a space?
Katie: Many customers prefer to choose a radiator that is suited to the age of their property whereas others want one that favours their interior choices. You wouldn’t put an ornate radiator into a modern property and vice versa, and we are on hand to guide you through that process. We offer an unprecedented array of finishes to fit within your chosen decor, as well as a range of Italian made steel radiators or a vintage radiator from our sister brand The Old Radiator Company.
What should renovators be aware of regarding lead times and delivery management when it comes to radiator installations?
Katie: There’s a small amount of important factors here, at the very least production of your radiator(s) takes around 4/5 weeks not including delivery, however if you choose a more specialist finish that lead time increases and can sometimes take up to 9 weeks. It’s very common for customers to be having new flooring and new radiators at the same time, and often we get asked for the ‘pipe centres’ which is the key measurement where the pipework will be situated. These exact measurements are only ever available towards the end of the order process as we need to wait until the radiators have been physically assembled, however we can provide a guideline that allows the installer to perform what is known as a ‘the first fix’.
Occasionally for a mixture of reasons, your order might be delayed. We mean it when we say do not book your installer for the date your radiators might be completed, you could end up both disappointed and then have to navigate re-arranging your installer. It’s always best to aim for a couple of weeks after the completion date to allow for any delays and delivery schedules. And finally, if you bare having a courier delivery, have plenty of help on hand to manoeuvre those beautiful radiators into your property!
Storage of radiators before installation can be a concern. What are the best practices for storing radiators to ensure they remain in good condition?
Katie: Depending on the property and room we would recommend storing your radiators in a damp free zone with some heat to the area IF possible. They will arrive on a pallet and wrapped in plastic, position the radiators upright and open the plastic so air can travel freely. If you choose to remove the plastic packaging fully we would strongly advise to avoid moving them around too much. ALWAYS check the order over once delivered to make sure you have all the accessories, and if you have an oversized radiator requiring assembly then make sure you have the toolkit. The last thing you need is to be missing something crucial but only find out on the day of installation.
For those considering radiator upgrades or replacements, what advice would you offer to make the process as smooth and effective as possible?
Katie: Our sales team are on hand to answer any concerns you might have, and no question is too small, we are here to guide you through the process from start to finish. If you are unable to get to a showroom we offer virtual site visits, in person home visits and for larger projects you might prefer a visit to your home from our ‘radmobile’. If heading to our showroom I would always suggest you familiarise yourself with our product before your visit, whether it be online or by requesting a brochure, and an idea of your room measurements will help the sales consultant start your Castrads journey.
