How to Stop Radiator Heat Going Behind Curtains

Are you looking for how to stop radiator heat going behind curtains? then you are in the right place.

Radiators are a source of heat and energy in the house. They contribute immensely to coordinating the temperature of the house and they add comfortability, warmness, heat, etc.

In most cases, radiators are placed rightly under or above the windows where the curtains are hanged. This can at times cause confusion on how to place the curtains, the texture of curtains to be used, and continuous opening of the curtains because of the radiator.

However, the question is, how to stop radiator heat going behind curtains? 

To stop radiator heat from going behind curtains, do not cover the radiator with curtains, have a reflective foil placed behind your radiator, double glazing, get a good curtain and avoid floor-length curtain from covering the radiator.

In as much as radiators are important in the house, we should not also forget the important role both curtains and windows play in a house. Having this in mind, one needs to do the following:

• Get the actual measurements of the windows before getting a curtain
• Know the texture of the curtain needed for the window
• Know the type of radiator to be fixed, and
• Ensure a good blend and relationship between the radiator, window, and curtains.

Do not allow your curtains to cover your radiator, if this happens, all the warm air would be trapped behind the curtain and directed to the windows or glasses as the case may be. If for any reason your curtains are hanged over your radiator, ensure you tuck the curtains from behind to allow the radiator to keep the house warm without any obstruction.

Also, try as much as possible to avoid having full floor-length curtains covering your radiator. It may look good but would amount to a waste of energy and resources. Having good quality curtains around the radiator would help you maximize the amount of energy that comes into the room. You can also ensure that your long curtains are well adjusted to fit in slightly above the radiator.

Radiator Heat: An Overview

Radiators are a source of energy as they emit heat and keeps the house warmed up especially during cold winter hours. They produce heat as a result of combustion and friction. This said heat can measure up to 1925°C (3500°F) and can be disastrous on the engine components of the radiators.

However, to avoid the risk of detonation on the radiator, the pistons, valves, and cylinder heads must be constantly cooled. The temperature from the radiator cylinders needs to be controlled so that the lubricating oil can maintain a good film on the surface of the cylinder and ensure integrity, the lubricating oil needs to be cooled as well.

In addition to overheating, over cooling can have negative effects on the engine. Over cooling can reduce engine performance and shorten the engine’s service life. Cooling systems are used to manage engine heat. Cooling systems must be properly designed, operated and maintained for proper engine operation and service life.

Why are Radiators under Windows

So many things contribute to why radiators are placed rightly under the windows. The major two practical reasons are:

To Avoid Draught

Windows that don’t have double glazing can cause a draught. The cold air immediately falls to the floor once it enters the house and from there it distributes itself across the room, which is finally felt as a draught. When you have your radiator rightly placed under the window, it would immediately counteract this draught effect and warms up the cooler air, and this stops the draught from gaining access into the room and taking control of the room temperature.

Best Position

Having your radiators placed at the window walls happens to be the best positioning in a house. Because this would not allow you to use the position to mount furniture. So the window space is just the ideal space for your radiators. you should not make the mistake of positioning your radiator behind any furniture, because this would affect the ability of the radiator to take charge of the room and warm it up as it is supposed to.

How to Stop Radiator Heat Going Behind Curtains

• Double Glazing: Having your radiator under the window helps because it will enable the warm air to make an insulating barricade against the cool glass. Glass is the major heat converter that allows warm air to escape. But double glazing the window reduces this effect.
• Do not cover your Radiators with the Curtains: Do not allow your curtains to cover your radiator, if this occurs, all the warm air would be trapped behind the curtains and directed to the windows or glasses as the case may be. If for any reason your curtains were hanged over your radiator, ensure you tuck the curtains from behind to allow the radiator to keep the house warm without any obstruction.
• Avoid Floor Length Curtains covering the Radiator: try as much as possible to avoid having full floor-length curtains covering your radiator. It may look good but would amount to a waste of energy and resources
• Have a reflective foil placed behind your radiator: this will help you prevent the continuous loss of heat through the walls.
• Get a good curtain: If the texture of your curtains is very good and your windows are not the draughty type, then you can think of changing the position of your radiator on the other side of the walls.

If you have your curtains covering your radiators, it will amount to the wasting of heat that emits from the radiators for the purpose of warming up the room. All the warm air that comes into the room would escape at the same rate when the house is heated or not. So the best thing to do is to maximize the placement of the curtains and radiators since both of them are found at the window side of the room.

Dangers of Radiator Heat Going Behind Curtains

Some of the dangers of radiator heat going behind curtains are:

• Fire Outbreaks
• Burning of Fragile Items
• Causes Damage to the Wall and Floor
• Trapping of air behind the Curtains
• Soaking up the Curtains
• Can cause Hazard depending on the type of Radiator
• Causes Damage to nearby Furniture

Solutions to Long Curtains Blocking Radiator Heat

If peradventure you have your long curtain blocking the heat from the radiator at home, not to worry, the following are simple ways to stop your curtain from blocking radiator heat at home.

• Cardboard and Foil: Design a surfboard with cardboard and foil. Make sure there is a curve at one end out of the cardboard, then cover it with a foil. Place the surfboard that you designed from the cardboard behind the radiator. This will easily push the curtain away from the radiator and allow radiator heat to circulate easily around the room without any obstruction
• Curtain Blind: Add a Blind at the window and always leave the long curtain open and folded to your choice
• Position of the Radiator: Another solution to a long curtain blocking radiator is to reposition the radiator from the curtain side

Conclusion

If you continue to allow the heat from the radiator to go behind the curtain, the damages and consequences are so enormous. Always ensure that you take care of the radiator by continuously maintaining it and checking if they are faulty at any given time, also ensure you use well-textured curtains, don’t put full floor-length curtains above the radiator, and always make sure that the relationship between both curtains, radiator, and windows are well balanced to avoid any ugly occurrence.