Technical Product Information

Finding the right product

We stock a wide selection of products across many categories, so we've detailed a few common questions below to help you find the product you need.

We have staff with a large amount of experience in the plumbing, heating and bathroom industry if you would like to discuss your requirements. However, we are not installers and can only provide limited advice on the best product for your needs.

We recommend speaking with your installer prior to ordering to get an idea of what you need, and then let us assist you from there. It may require a site survey to ascertain the right products. This is not a service we provide.

Commonly Asked Questions

• What is the difference between a combi and a system boiler?
• What is the difference between a direct and indirect cylinder?
• What type of cylinder do I need?
• What is the difference in radiator types?
• Which shape of radiator valve do I need?
• How to tell whether an offset shower tray is left or right handed

What is the difference between a combi and a system boiler?

• A combi boiler produces instant hot water on demand at any time and usually doesn’t store hot water. The higher the KW rating of the boiler, the better the flow rate of hot water.

• A system boiler requires an unvented cylinder. The boiler heats the hot water in the cylinder, which is dispensed at mains pressure. The boiler must be programmed to heat the water at specific times. A system boiler is not suitable for replacing a conventional boiler with a vented cylinder and header tank.

Confirm your requirements with your installer prior to ordering.

What is the difference between a direct and indirect cylinder?

• A direct cylinder is electric only and heats water via one or more immersion heaters.

• An indirect cylinder has a coil plumbed into the boiler to heat water, and often includes an immersion heater as backup.

Confirm your requirements with your installer prior to ordering.

What type of cylinder do I need?

• For a regular / conventional boiler with a header tank, you will need a vented cylinder (usually copper).

• For a system boiler on a sealed system, you will need an unvented cylinder (usually stainless steel, mains pressure).

Confirm your requirements with your installer prior to ordering.

What is the difference in radiator types?

• Type 11 radiator (single radiator) has one panel and one convector; slimmest but gives least heat.

• Type 21 radiator (P plus radiator) has two panels and one convector; slimmer than type 22 but 40% more heat than type 11 of same size.

• Type 22 radiator (double radiator) has two panels and two convectors; deepest type and gives ~80% more heat than type 11 of same size.

Confirm your requirements with your installer prior to ordering.

Which shape of radiator valve do I need?

Identify where the central heating pipes come from and the radiator inlet locations to determine valve shape.

• Straight valves – no bend, for pipes from floor.

• Angled valves – 90-degree angle, for pipes from wall.

Your plumber should confirm which shape is required; we cannot advise.

How to tell whether an offset shower tray is left or right handed

Identify which direction the curve goes from the longest edge. Example: longest edge on right, curves from top to left = left handed tray. Check technical drawings on the product page to confirm.