extend radiator pipes

Ahoy ahoy maties,

I'm replacing an existing standard radiator with a towel rail.
The towel rail is the same width but because the towel rail has the input valves at the bottom rather the sides, the pipework doesn't match up.



What are my options for piping it up?
Besides looking ugly, could I extend the pipes horizontally until they are level with the towel rail, 90 degree turn, and then extend the pipe upwards? if i didn't want to solder,what fittings would i need? i would like the fittings to be discreet as the pipework will be external.
Is it bad practice to have a lot of turns in a pipe?

The second option is to line up one of the sides so it is directly over the one of the exisitng pipes. then for the pipe that isn't in line, to extend it horizontally, 90deg turn, and then extend vertically.



The first option works best in terms of position of the towel rail, but if there are issues with the way the pipework would need to extend, i could opt for the second option.

any advice/tips appreciated )

If it was me, the first decision is where you want the radiator, rather than where is easiest to fit it - so the first position?

The right hand pipe I would cut short somewhere on the horizontal run, in the right position to simply fit an elbow up and into the radiator. The left pipe I would cut off just before the existing elbow, extend it horizontally using a coupler to the right position, then an elbow up and into the radiator. Aside from the additional coupler, the pipework would run as you would normally expect.

If you can't use soldered fittings, have a look at Tectite Push-Fit fittings on Screwfix. I've never used them but once painted they won't look too dissimilar to soldered fittings. Just bear in mind they can't be demounted so make sure you measure carefully before you fit them! Alternatively if the pipework is on display and you're using chrome pipe, you can get chrome plated compression fittings.

Something like this

thanks pal, that's exactly what i'm intending to do!

Tectite classics can be demounted but they're a bit bigger than the one-shot Sprints. Up to you

well ended up extening the pipework today with the sprint and made a slight error which i thought i could rectify by removing the sprint as i only just put it on but it made a pretty solid connection! all sorted anyway, but will keep in mind the classic as that gives you more flexibility, i hope they provide a solid a connection as the sprint!