The Ultimate Guide to Radiator Valves & What You Really

Need to Know

Whether you’re fitting a brand-new radiator or replacing an old one, choosing the right valves makes a big difference to how your heating performs and how neat the final installation looks. Unfortunately, valves are often an afterthought... until it’s time to install! Here’s how to get it right the first time.

Step 1. Look at Your Pipework

The first thing to check is how your central heating pipes reach the radiator area.

Think about where the pipes come from:

• Up from the floor

• Out of the wall

• Along the wall horizontally

This matters because your valve needs to link those pipes to the radiator’s inlets cleanly — without bends or gaps.

Tip: If you’re replacing a radiator in the same location, the pipe positions won’t change. If it’s a new install, you can think about where you want the pipes to come out before you order valves.

Step 2. Find the Radiator Inlets

Radiators have connection points where the valves attach — these are usually:

• Bottom inlet(s) — common in many radiators

• Side inlet(s) — often found on traditional radiators

• Middle connection — more common on modern, space-saving designs

Knowing where the inlets are helps you decide which shape of valve you need next.

Step 3. Choose the Right Valve Shape

Different valve shapes are designed to match both your pipework and inlet positions:

Straight Valves

These connect the pipes to the radiator in a straight line — ideal when your pipes come up from the floor or run along the wall directly to the radiator.

Angled Valves

As the name suggests, these link pipes to radiators at roughly a 90° bend, great for when the pipes come out of the wall behind the radiator.

Corner Valves

A variation of angled valves, they tuck in nicely when pipework and radiator are on the same wall, giving a cleaner finish with less sticking out from the radiator.

H-Block Valves

If your radiator has central (middle) connections, H-block valves combine the flow and return in one unit — perfect for that setup and can save space too.

A simple compatibility tip:

• Pipes from wall + side inlets → Angled or Corner

• Pipes from floor + bottom inlets → Straight

• Middle inlets → H-Block (angled or straight)

Manual vs Thermostatic Valves — What’s the Difference?

Once you’ve picked the right shape, you now need to pick the function.

Manual Radiator Valves

These work like traditional taps — you turn them by hand to let water into the radiator and control its heat output. Simple and reliable, but you have to adjust them yourself.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)

TRVs are a step up: they sense room temperature and automatically open or close to keep the space at your desired warmth.
That means greater comfort and often lower energy use.

Pro tip: Avoid putting a TRV on a radiator in the same room as your main thermostat — they can “fight” each other, potentially stopping the room from warming properly.

Extra Valve to Know: Lockshield Valves

Most radiators work with two valves:

• The control valve (manual or TRV)

• The lockshield valve

The lockshield doesn’t get touched often — it’s adjusted when your system is balanced to ensure even heat distribution throughout the house.

Match Valves to Your Style

Radiator valves are visible — so why not make them part of the look? You’ll find finishes from sleek chrome and matte black to antique brass and more, meaning you can complement your radiator and room décor beautifully.

Final Checklist Before You Buy

1. Identify where your pipes come from

2. Check where the radiator’s inlets are

3. Choose the right valve shape

4. Decide between manual or thermostatic control

5. Pick a style that suits your room

Once you’ve got all that figured out, choosing the right radiator valves becomes much easier and your heating will look and perform exactly how you want it!