Which is more effective, a convector or a radiator?

Heat output per square meter is comparable between the two; sized correctly, either will fully heat a room. The difference is in how they warm. A convector raises air temperature faster, while a radiator holds heat longer through its inertia. For rooms with floor-to-ceiling glazing an in-floor convector is more effective, because it sits right along the window and blocks the cold downdraft from the glass.

Can I replace a radiator with an in-floor convector?

Yes, if it is possible to make a trench in the floor (usually at the renovation or screed stage) and run the pipes to it. An in-floor convector connects to the same hot-water heating system as a radiator. In a finished interior, without opening up the floor, a free-standing convector or a radiator is easier to fit.

Is an in-floor convector suitable for an apartment?

Yes. In-floor convectors are installed in both apartments and houses, anywhere with hot-water heating and floor-to-ceiling windows or French balconies. The key condition is to cut the floor trench before the final flooring goes down.

Which is cheaper, a convector or a radiator?

A radiator is usually cheaper and simpler to install. An in-floor convector costs more, both for the unit and the trench work, but that is the price of fully hidden heating and the preserved look of floor-to-ceiling windows. Contact us and we will calculate the exact cost for your space and give you a free quote.

In-Floor Convector or Radiator: Which to Choose for Heating

Updated May 24, 20264 min read

If your home has floor-to-ceiling windows, or you simply do not want a single radiator on the wall, the question of "in-floor convector or radiator" naturally comes up. In short: an in-floor convector for hidden heating and large windows, a radiator for simplicity and budget. That said, the best choice depends on the space. Below we break down how each unit works, where their strengths and weaknesses lie, and which option suits you.

How each unit works

Both connect to the same hot-water heating system, but they heat differently.

A radiator gives off heat two ways: through radiation from its hot surface and by warming the air around it. It contains far more metal and water, so it heats up slowly and cools just as slowly, holding warmth for a long time.

A convector works purely by convection: air passes through a copper-and-aluminum heat exchanger, warms up, rises, and draws cold air in from below. It contains less metal and water, so it heats up faster. An in-floor convector is also recessed fully into the floor under a decorative grille, leaving only a narrow strip of grille visible, flush with the floor.

In-floor convector: what it is for

In-floor convectors are made for interiors where heating should be invisible and the windows large.

Pros:

Fully hidden in the floor, with nothing on the walls or under the windows.
Sits right against the glazing and blocks the cold downdraft from the glass, preventing drafts and condensation at the window.
Takes up no wall space and no usable floor area.
Warms the room quickly with a 24 V fan, and handles large glazed spans.
Grilles in a range of colors and materials to match the floor.

Cons:

The floor trench has to be planned ahead, at the screed or renovation stage.
The unit and its installation cost more than a radiator.
Air circulation pulls dust into the trench, so it needs regular cleaning.

Radiator: the proven classic

Radiators are the most universal and predictable way to heat a room.

Pros:

Simple installation, even in a finished interior, with no need to open up the floor.
Lower cost for both the unit and the work.
High thermal inertia, holding heat longer after the system switches off.
A choice of RAL colors (standard white RAL 9016, black RAL 9005), and Novaterm tubular models can serve as a design focal point.

Cons:

Takes up wall space and part of the usable area.
Will not fit under floor-to-ceiling glazing, where there is no room for a classic radiator.
Visible on the wall, it doesn't always suit a minimalist interior.

Comparison: convector or radiator

Criterion	In-floor convector	Radiator
Visibility	Hidden in the floor, only the grille shows	On the wall, in plain view
Floor-to-ceiling windows	Ideal, sits along the glazing	Cannot be set into the floor
Warm-up speed	High (especially with a fan)	Lower, but holds heat longer
Usable area	Takes none	Takes space by the wall
Installation	Floor trench, best at renovation stage	Simple, any time
Price	Higher	Lower
Best for	Floor-to-ceiling glazing, designer interiors	Standard rooms, budget

What to choose in your case

Floor-to-ceiling windows, full-height glazing, French balconies: an in-floor convector. It's the only unit built for this kind of installation, and it eliminates the chill coming off the glass.
Large glazing where you need fast warm-up: an in-floor convector with a 24 V fan, which delivers more output for the same trench length.
A standard apartment or house on a limited budget: a radiator. Cheaper, simpler, dependable.
A finished interior where the floor cannot be opened: a radiator or a free-standing convector that sits out in the open and needs no trench.
A design interior where the unit is an accent: a tubular radiator in the RAL color you want.

In short

An in-floor convector is about hidden heating and large windows. A radiator is about simplicity, budget, and quick installation. Projects often use both: convectors along the floor-to-ceiling windows, radiators in the other rooms. Every Novaterm unit comes with a 5-year warranty and delivery across Georgia.

Not sure what suits your space? Get in touch and we'll help you choose and give you a free quote.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more effective, a convector or a radiator?: Heat output per square meter is comparable between the two; sized correctly, either will fully heat a room. The difference is in how they warm. A convector raises air temperature faster, while a radiator holds heat longer through its inertia. For rooms with floor-to-ceiling glazing an in-floor convector is more effective, because it sits right along the window and blocks the cold downdraft from the glass.
Can I replace a radiator with an in-floor convector?: Yes, if it is possible to make a trench in the floor (usually at the renovation or screed stage) and run the pipes to it. An in-floor convector connects to the same hot-water heating system as a radiator. In a finished interior, without opening up the floor, a free-standing convector or a radiator is easier to fit.
Is an in-floor convector suitable for an apartment?: Yes. In-floor convectors are installed in both apartments and houses, anywhere with hot-water heating and floor-to-ceiling windows or French balconies. The key condition is to cut the floor trench before the final flooring goes down.
Which is cheaper, a convector or a radiator?: A radiator is usually cheaper and simpler to install. An in-floor convector costs more, both for the unit and the trench work, but that is the price of fully hidden heating and the preserved look of floor-to-ceiling windows. Contact us and we will calculate the exact cost for your space and give you a free quote.