400mm Wide Chrome Towel Rails | Central Heating| 350mm Pipe Centre
14 years supplying UK bathrooms, est. February 2012. Free delivery on orders over £200. 5-year manufacturer's warranty on all towel rails.
Chrome Towel Rails in the Narrowest Standard Width
At 400mm wide, these central heating towel rails are built for the spaces most rails won't fit. A narrow alcove, the wall beside a toilet, a compact secondary bathroom, a cloakroom that needs a working radiator without dominating the room — this is the rail for all of those. If you've already decided on chrome, you're in the right place. Chrome matches the taps, the showerhead, the towel rings, the basin mixer. It has been the default finish in British bathrooms for decades and shows no sign of going anywhere.
400mm Chrome Towel Rail — Heat Output
| Height | Bar Layout | BTU/hr (ΔT50) | BTU/hr (ΔT60) | BTU/hr (ΔT30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400mm | 3+4=7 | 300 | 382 | 154 |
| 600mm | 3+4+4=11 | 464 | 587 | 239 |
| 800mm | 3+4+8=15 | 601 | 761 | 310 |
| 1000mm | 4+4+4+7=19 | 761 | 966 | 392 |
| 1200mm | 4+4+5+10=23 | 870 | 1,102 | 447 |
| 1400mm | 4+5+6+10=25 | 1,061 | 1,344 | 546 |
| 1600mm | 4+6+7+10=27 | 1,143 | 1,450 | 587 |
| 1800mm | 4+7+8+12=31 | 1,307 | 1,655 | 672 |
ΔT50 = EN442 standard, suitable for combi boilers. ΔT60 = older high-temp systems. ΔT30 = heat pumps & low-temp systems.
400mm Chrome Towel Rail — Prices by Height
| Height | Central Heating | Pre-Filled Electric | Dual Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400mm | From £51.95 | From £81.95 | From £127.00 |
| 600mm | From £56.95 | From £86.95 | From £132.00 |
| 800mm | From £65.00 | From £95.00 | From £140.00 |
| 1000mm | From £70.00 | From £100.00 | From £145.00 |
| 1200mm | From £95.00 | From £125.00 | From £170.00 |
| 1400mm | From £110.00 | From £140.00 | From £185.00 |
| 1600mm | From £105.00 | From £134.95 | From £180.00 |
| 1800mm | From £115.00 | From £144.95 | From £190.00 |
The 350mm Pipe Centre
🔍 Click to enlarge
The pipe centre distance on a 400mm wide towel rail is 350mm. This is the measurement your plumber needs — it's the distance between the centres of the two bottom inlet ports, not the overall width of the rail. When you're checking whether pipework lines up, or asking a plumber to quote for moving pipes, 350mm is the number to give them. The 400mm figure is the external width from side bar to side bar, including the bar thickness on each side. Getting this right before you order saves the cost of moving pipes to suit a different rail.
Choosing the Right Height
In a restricted space, you're often fitting a narrower rail precisely because the room is small. That has implications for output. A 400mm wide rail at 400mm tall will produce a low BTU — useful as a secondary heat source, fine for keeping towels warm, but not designed to heat a room on its own. As you move up through the height range — 600mm, 800mm, 1000mm, up to 1800mm — the BTU output increases with every additional horizontal bar. A 400x1200mm or taller model can serve as the primary radiator in a small bathroom or WC, provided the room is well-insulated. Use the taller models where you need the room to heat up; use the shorter models where the central heating already covers the room and you just want warm towels and a tidy wall installation.
Why Chrome
Chrome is the finish people choose when they want something that will still look right in fifteen years. It reflects light well in windowless bathrooms, holds up against condensation better than painted finishes, and shows limescale rather than hiding it — which means you clean it rather than letting it build up. A weekly wipe with a soft damp cloth is all the maintenance chrome requires. Avoid abrasive cleaners and anything acidic. Chrome is also the easiest finish to match across bathroom hardware, since it's still the most widely produced option for taps, shower fittings, and accessories. If you're considering a darker finish instead, our 400mm wide black towel rails cover the same width range. For the full chrome range across all widths, see our chrome towel rail collection. If your space is tighter still, our 300mm wide chrome towel rails are the next step down.
Connecting to Your Central Heating
These rails connect using 15mm compression valves — the same fittings used on standard radiators throughout a UK home. You'll need two valves: typically a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) on the flow side and a lockshield on the return, which is how most installers set up towel rails. The valves fit the bottom inlet ports directly. Installation is straightforward for any plumber and within the scope of a competent DIYer working on their own system. All models carry a 5-year manufacturer's warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pipe centre on a 400mm wide towel rail?
The pipe centre distance on a 400mm wide towel rail is 350mm. This is the centre-to-centre measurement between the two bottom inlet ports — the figure your plumber needs to check whether existing pipework aligns, or to know how far pipes need to be moved. The 400mm measurement refers to the overall external width of the rail from the outer edge of one side bar to the outer edge of the other.
Can I fit a 400mm towel rail in a small WC or cloakroom?
Yes — 400mm is one of the narrowest standard widths available, which makes it well suited to cloakrooms and small WCs. The 400mm external width with a 350mm pipe centre fits on most walls beside a toilet or in a tight alcove. For a cloakroom that needs some background heat, choose a taller model in the range to get a higher BTU output. Shorter models at this width are best used as supplementary heat where another radiator already covers the room.
How do I connect a chrome towel rail to central heating?
These towel rails connect to central heating using standard 15mm compression valves fitted to the bottom inlet ports. The typical setup is a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) on the flow side and a lockshield valve on the return. The rail is plumbed into the existing heating circuit in the same way as any standard radiator. No specialist fittings are required. A plumber can complete the installation in under an hour in most cases where pipework is already in position.
How do I keep chrome towel rails looking clean?
Chrome is one of the easiest finishes to maintain. A soft damp cloth once a week removes water spots, dust, and minor limescale before it builds up. Dry the surface after wiping to prevent new water marks forming. Avoid abrasive sponges, scouring powders, and acidic cleaners — these will scratch and dull the chrome surface over time. For heavier limescale, a diluted solution of white vinegar on a cloth works well, followed by a rinse with clean water and a dry finish.
What height towel rail do I need for a secondary bathroom?
In a secondary bathroom where another radiator already heats the room, a 400mm wide rail at 600mm or 800mm tall is usually sufficient — it keeps towels warm and adds a small amount of background heat without overpowering the space. If the towel rail is the only heat source in the room, go taller: a 1000mm to 1400mm model at 400mm wide will produce enough output for a small, well-insulated bathroom. Check the BTU figure on the product listing and compare it against the calculated heat loss for the room.
