Why would only one radiator be wall mounted?

ardrysda

Hi all, I have a 1907 Eddy vacuum steam system with a curious oddity. One, and only one, of the rococo style radiators is wall mounted, the other 15 radiators are all floor standing units. It appears that this radiator was always installed this way, but why? I guess I don't understand why a single radiator would have been installed that way, different than all the other radiators in the house. The radiator in question is in a side entrance parlor immediately adjacent to an exterior door.

Anyone want to chime in on why a radiator would have been wall mounted?

Rob

Jamie Hall

Somebody wanted it that way so they could easily clean the floor?

nicholas bonham-carter

A place to put overshoes on the floor underneath?—NBC

ardrysda

nicholas bonham-carter said:

A place to put overshoes on the floor underneath?—NBC

It isn't high enough to slide shoes under, although I have tried!

ardrysda

Jamie Hall said:

Somebody wanted it that way so they could easily clean the floor?

That makes sense, but this house was fairly high end when built- all floors are oak, with maple flooring in the maid's quarters, kitchen, and pantry- and all the other rads sit on the floor.

I do sometimes wonder if that floor was covered with tile or linoleum when the house was built, there is enough mastic and pad adhesive currently under the carpet to make a full inspection impossible.

Fred

Is it possible that that side entrance was more or less a service entrance or the one that was commonly used, off of a driveway or closest entrance from a garage and the owners had the foresight to want to be able to mop up water/melting snow etc. without obstructions?

mikeg2015

I’m guessing different floor covering. Entry level ways would have a large rug.

Maybe it’s a lot run out and they wanted it higher up for pitch.