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.