House missing a few radiators, what are some options?

I am purchasing a three unit apartment building that is going to need a lot of work. With winter approaching, I want to get the boiler working asap. It is a three zone gas powered boiler and it seems to be in great shape. However, some of the rooms are missing their radiators (they are the big old school cast iron ones). There are just pipes sticking out of the ground and the system is dry (whole house was winterized). What are some good options for replacing these? Is there a website or place that sells refurbished cast iron radiators, or larger aluminum ones that will put out the same heat. I am trying to avoid using the baseboard heaters that are sold at most hardware stores, because I would have to move the pipes around to fit them, and they don't put out nearly as much heat as the big cast iron radiators. Some of the shopping around I have been doing, hasn't been going well and prices are astronomical.

 

Is this a steam system or hot water ?

Yes..... cast iron radiators are astronomical in price.

 

PJmax - Its a hot water system.

 

The radiators from the link below seem to be the best I can find so far that offer an alternative to the cast iron monsters where the inlet/outlet pipes are relatively close together. Anyone out there used these before?

Ecostyle B-12.24 ECO - 2,562 BTU - Hydronic Panel Radiator - 12-InchH x 24-InchW - White

 

Putting low-thermal-mass emitters on the same system as cast-iron emitters is not optimum. They have completely different thermal performance. CI emitters will soak up much of the heat during a heat call, and continue to put out heat for some time. Low-thermal-mass units will put out some heat for a short period, only. Mismatch.

But, if you want to try it, it's better than nothing. Better yet, try to find some old CI radiators.

 

This place is in MA: Radical Radiator Restorations

Craigslist is also a good place to look, but it is doubtful you will find exactly what you need in the time frame you need to do it.

 

thanks for the replies guys, I will check out that place in mass.