How to Choose a Heated Towel Rack
Embrace ultimate luxury with a heated towel rack at home.
Your Guide to Choosing a
Heated Towel Rack
and space can ensure you get the warmth and comfort you deserve.
What Is A Heated Towel Rack
A heated towel rack is primarily used to ensure your towels are kept dry for optimal use.
Whether you want to make sure your towel is dry before you need to use it again or you want your towel to feel fresh when you get out of the shower, a heated towel rack can provide the right amount of heat to give you extra comfort.
How Heated Towel Racks Can
Improve Your Space
you with additional benefits that make this design choice worthwhile.
Warmth and Comfort
Stepping out into a cold bathroom after a shower is an unpleasant experience. With a heated towel rack, you can ensure your towel is dry when you need it.
Additionally, heated towel racks may produce enough radiant heat to make rooms a little warmer, making your space more comfortable.
Save Money and Time
With a heated towel rack, you will not need to wash your towels as often. By drying your towels with a heated towel rack before and after you use them, you can keep them drier and more sanitary for longer periods of time.
Reduce Water and Energy Consumption
The most efficient way to use your heated towel rack is to keep them running for a majority of the time; by doing so, you can benefit from the radiant heat generated by the rack, reduce your heating costs, and keep your towels fresh and dry.
When you use your heated towel rack, you will reduce your water and detergent consumption and limit the loads of laundry you need to do.How to Use an Electric
Heated Towel Rack
Heated towel racks are generally easy to operate. Regardless of the type of rack you have, most can be turned on via a simple switch.
While heated towel racks are designed to specifically dry towels, they have many other applications that make them a worthwhile investment.You can also use heated towel racks to:
Dry delicate clothing
Warm your space
Dry outdoor apparel such as coats, gloves, and scarves
Dry swimsuits after use
Prevent mold and mildew from developing
Dry and warm bathroom rugs
Hardwired vs Plug-In Heated Towel Racks
Depending on your specific towel rack needs and desires, you may decide that a hardwired or plug-in option is best.
Hardwired
Hardwiring your heated towel rack is a great option if you plan to maximize the efficiency and benefits of the appliance. With a hardwired towel rack, you will get the added benefit of keeping a clean, sleek appearance because the wiring will not be visible.
Plug-In
Plug-in heated towel racks are a more convenient option, making them easy to install and relocate if necessary. If you want a free-standing towel rack, it will likely need to be plugged in rather than hardwired.
For temporary spaces including apartments, plug-in heated towel racks may be a better option to allow for relocation, transportation, and functionality.
Free-Standing vs Wall-Mounted
HeatedTowel Racks
Depending on the space you have available, the size of your family, and other factors, either free-standing and
wall-mounted towel racks may serve your needs best.
Free-Standing
With a free-standing heated towel rack, you will have the ability to move the appliance around your space as needed; because this model is typically plugged in, you can easily relocate the rack, making it more versatile and convenient.
Free-standing towel racks tend to take up more space, however, and will need to rest directly on the floor. If you have limited space, a free-standing rack may not be ideal.
Wall-Mounted
Hardwired wall-mounted heated towel racks are a space-saving option that utilizes unused wall space to provide comfort and warmth. Choosing a wall-mounted towel rack means freeing up floor space with a compact but effective design.
Select the Best Finish for Your
Heated Towel Rack
Matching your existing bathroom aesthetic is easy when heated towel racks come in numerous finishes.
Depending on your style and taste, you can choose from a variety of finishes including:
Polished Stainless Steel
Brushed Stainless Steel
Satin Brass
Polished Nickel
White
Black
Type of Room
Heated towel racks can be placed in a variety of rooms depending on the desired function and use.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are among the most common rooms that house heated towel racks because they are primarily designed to dry bath towels. Installing a heated towel rack in your bathroom will provide a luxurious experience with fresh towels and some radiant heat to make your space more comfortable.
Mud Room
A less common but equally valuable location for a heated towel rack is in a mud room or sunroom. Here, you could use your heated towel rack to accelerate the drying process of winter apparel and sports gear including:
- Coats or jackets
- Gloves
- Scarves
- Socks
- Jerseys
- Athletic wear
Pool House
Placing a heated towel rack in your pool house is a great idea to ensure you have a dry, fresh towel waiting for you after your swim. A heated towel rack can also help dry off your towels after you use them, getting them ready before you take another dip.
Rather than dealing with a damp swimsuit when you leave your pool house, you can instead lay it on your heated towel rack to dry, preventing discomfort.
Room Size
Heated towel racks don’t take up much space, but the size of the room you want to use can still influence the type of rack you purchase.
If you want to put your heated towel rack in a small bathroom, a wall-mounted hardwired rack is probably a better choice than a free-standing rack. However, if you have limited wall space, a free-standing rack will likely make more sense.
Room Color and Style
Staying consistent with the design and style of your room is likely a priority, especially if you’ve spent any amount of time and money painting or decorating.
Heated towel racks are available in a number of finishes to match your existing appliances and provide a sleek, modern look while maintaining their functionality.
How to Install Your Heated Towel Rack
How you install your heated towel rack will depend on the type of rack you choose. Hardwired and plug-in options will require vastly different levels of involvement, and the process of installing a hydronic towel rack will be different from the installation process of an electric towel rack
Regardless of the type of rack you choose, the following steps are key in ensuring proper installation.
Choose a Location
For wall-mounted floor racks, choosing the best location will be important for installation. You will need to pick a spot that is functional. If you want to install your heated towel rack in your bathroom, you may want to choose a place that is accessible near your shower, for example.
Heated towel racks can usually be mounted on a number of surfaces, including:
Drywall
Tile
Cabinets
Wallpaper
For wall-mounted floor racks, choosing the best location will be important for installation. You will need to pick a spot that is functional. If you want to install your heated towel rack in your bathroom, you may want to choose a place that is accessible near your shower, for example.
Heated towel racks can usually be mounted on a number of surfaces, including:
Use a Header or Backing
It is recommended that, when mounting a heated towel rack to a wall, you use a header or backing to effectively support the device’s weight and ensure stability.
For wall-mounted heated towel rack, you may find that you cannot install all or any leg extensions to wood backing, in which case you may use bolts including:
- Anchor
- Butterfly
- Toggle
Consult an Electrician or Plumber
While it is possible to install a heated towel rack on your own, consulting a licensed electrician or plumber can ensure that your towel rack is properly and safely installed.
Meeting relevant electrical regulations during installation is critical for hardwired heated towel racks. You will likely need an electrician to ensure proper ground wiring.
Your Questions Answered
Where Can I Buy a Heated Towel Rack?
Because heated towel racks have recently risen in popularity, they are becoming increasingly more available. You can often buy a heated towel rack from big box stores, but you can also purchase models from manufacturers and showrooms.
Can a Heated Towel Warmer Be Left On All Day?
Yes! Leading brands have designed their heated towel racks to be left on all day for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Once they reach their target temperature, heated towel racks will not exceed it thanks to internal temperature monitors.
If you do not want to leave your heated towel rack on all day, you can also integrate switches and timers to better suit your needs and schedules.
How Should I Place A Towel on A Heated Towel Rack?
The best way to place a towel on a heated towel rack is by folding it in half lengthwise and then folding it in halfway. The process may vary a bit depending on the size of the towel you are using and the size of your towel rack.
Which is Better, A Curved Heated Towel Rack or A Flat Heated Towel Rack?
Both curved and straight heated towel racks provide the same warmth and comfort. The difference in heat and function is not significant.
With a curved heated towel rack, you will have a little extra room for your towels, which is ideal if you have larger towels or more towels to dry. Curved towel racks may better suit rooms with more traditional designs.
A straight heated towel rack is slightly more compact and does not protrude into the room itself. Straight towel racks tend to have a more modern appearance, which may also influence your decision depending on your design preferences.