The Piazza Products
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 25 Year Guarantee on The Piazza significant compared to chrome rails?
The Piazza is manufactured from high grade 304 Stainless Steel rather than mild steel. Unlike chrome plated rails which can eventually peel flake or rust in humid bathroom environments stainless steel is a solid material that cannot rust or flake. This superior durability allows the manufacturer to offer a comprehensive 25 Year Guarantee. For the user this means the rail is a permanent investment that will likely outlast the bathroom renovation itself whereas chrome rails often need replacing after 5 to 7 years.
What does the reversible design of The Piazza allow during installation?
The Piazza features a cantilever design where the horizontal square bars are supported by vertical collectors on one side only. The unit is fully reversible meaning you can install it with the vertical bars on the left or the right hand side. This technical flexibility solves layout problems in tight bathrooms allowing you to orient the open end of the rail away from obstacles like shower screens or vanity units making it significantly easier to slide towels on and off.
Why are the pipe centers listed as 50mm when the radiator is 500mm wide?
This is a critical installation detail. Unlike standard ladder rails where the valves are positioned at the bottom corners The Piazza features Central Connection points. The inlet and outlet are located at the bottom of the vertical uprights which are grouped together. Consequently the pipe centers are only 50mm apart. You must ensure your plumber roughs in the pipework to this specific narrow measurement. Do not bring pipes out to the width of the radiator (500mm) as they will not align.
Can The Piazza be installed as a dual fuel towel rail?
Yes The Piazza is compatible with dual fuel installations which allows you to heat the rail electrically in summer when your central heating is off. To achieve this with the tight 50mm pipe centers it is technically recommended to use a specialized Dual Fuel Valve (often called a corner valve block) that integrates the T-piece function. Alternatively you can install a standard electric element if you have sufficient vertical clearance but the narrow connections make standard T-pieces difficult to fit neatly.
How does the polished stainless steel finish affect heat output?
Polished stainless steel has a lower thermal emissivity than painted finishes which means it radiates heat slightly less efficiently. However The Piazza uses square tube profiles which provide a larger surface area than round tubes helping to compensate for this. For example the 1270mm high model outputs approximately 1121 BTUs. While efficient for drying towels this output is moderate so for large bathrooms you should calculate your heat loss to determine if a secondary heat source is required.
What type of radiator valves are best suited for the 50mm central connection?
Due to the 50mm central connections standard individual valves can often look bulky or clash with each other. The best technical solution is to use a H-Block Valve (Twin Valve) which handles both the flow and return in a single neat unit. If you must use individual valves ensure you choose a compact design. If your pipes come from the wall use Corner Valves; if from the floor use Straight Valves.
What wall fixings are required to support the weight of stainless steel?
Stainless steel is a dense heavy material and The Piazza can be significantly heavier than a mild steel equivalent especially when filled with water. You must ensure the wall brackets are anchored into solid masonry or structural timber studs. Do not rely on plasterboard fixings (toggles) alone as the cantilever design creates a leverage force that puts extra strain on the top brackets. Secure fixing is essential for safety.
How far does The Piazza project from the wall?
The Piazza has a wall projection of approximately 120mm to 135mm depending on the bracket adjustment. This is slightly deeper than some flat ladders due to the offset bar design. You must measure the clearance behind any opening doors to ensure the rail does not obstruct the handle or door swing. The open sided design does however mean you don't need extra depth for bunching towels as they sit flat.
Is The Piazza suitable for electric only conversion?
Yes The Piazza can be used as a standalone electric rail. You will need to fill it with a thermal fluid leaving a 10 percent expansion gap and fit a compatible heating element. Due to the 50mm centers you would typically fit the element into one of the vertical collectors. You must ensure the element wattage matches the manufacturer specification for the rail size (e.g. 150W for the 870mm model or 250W for the 1270mm model) to prevent overheating.