Treatment FAQ

what window treatment should i use if my windows are above a radiator

by Richard Jenkins DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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You can use stationary curtains that hang on each side of the window and do not move. Then use blinds to filter light and cover the main part of the window. Blinds can hang above the radiator, yet you will still have the effect of curtains because of the stationary pair. Cellular Shades Window Treatments

Open just the top shutters to let in light while preserving privacy, or open them all. Shutters work best on their own, so if you want to add curtains too, it's better to go with wood blinds. Roman blinds. Roman blinds are a classic choice that always works.Dec 20, 2014

Full Answer

Do you need window treatments if you have radiators?

If you live in a home with radiators, you know how tricky it can be to choose window treatments with those big, blocky structures in the way — especially if you have your heart set on curtains. From working with layers to the dos and don’ts of short curtains, these pointers will help you navigate your options.

How to cover windows with a radiator under them?

This is another option for treating windows with a radiator underneath. Short curtains can cover your windows efficiently without cluttering the sides of the radiator or blocking the heat. Typically, short curtains end at the window sill but you can experiment with the lengths of your short curtains.

Which curtains work best with radiators under Windows?

Floor-length curtains work best with radiators under the windows, but closing them means they’ll block the heat generated by the radiator. Generally, pairing up floor-length curtains with other window coverings can do the trick.

How do you choose the right window treatments?

Take this space, for example: Roller blinds are used on the windows with radiators, while drapers are used for the glass doors. When mixing window treatments, make sure the colours and patterns coordinate — when in doubt, keep things simple with white and solid neutrals.

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How do you dress a window above a radiator?

It'll help keep the curtains away from the wall and the radiator when drawn without affecting the heating effect.Shutters. If you don't like to hang curtains, then you can try shutters. ... Blinds. You can try Roman blinds if you're not fond of shutters and curtains. ... Short Curtains.

Should curtains stop above radiators?

The main mistake that people make is to fit heavy floor-length curtains over both the window and the radiator below. This traps the heat in the window space and does not let it into the room. Correctly fitted curtains should not cover the top of the radiator, but should stop just below the window ledge.

Can you have curtains near a radiator?

Curtains. Curtains should be long enough to cover your window, but not long enough that they hang over your radiators. While it's very unlikely that a curtain will catch alight from being heated up to a high temperature, do you really want to take the risk.

Can you have long curtains with a radiator under the window?

If you want your room to benefit from the heat generated by your radiator, one obvious option is to choose curtains that don't extend below your windows. It's a practical choice, as longer curtains would act as a barrier, preventing heat from circulating around the room.

Why do they put radiators under windows?

This is something most of us learn in school and it helps to explain why radiators are located underneath windows. As the hot air rises from the radiator, the cold air that is coming in through the window pushes against the warm air, circulating it around the room much more efficiently.

Are radiator covers a good idea?

Yes. The good news is that well-designed radiator covers leave plenty of space for the warm air to travel through. A radiator cover could actually even improve your heat efficiency if the cover includes a reflective foil backing, which we mentioned earlier.

Can curtains catch on fire from heater?

Any type of heater can start a fire under the right conditions, but fires started by curtains most often occur with electric baseboard heaters due largely to the way the heaters work. These heaters rely on the room's natural airflow to push the heat they generate into the room.

How do you design around a radiator?

Keep reading for eleven savvy radiator decorating tricks from today's most stylish interior designers. Build a Cabinet Over It. ... Be Strategic With Your Layout. ... Cover It Completely. ... Incorporate It Into the Design. ... Lean Some Artwork Against It. ... Surround It With Plants. ... Build Around It. ... Add a Shelf.More items...•

How can I make my radiators look better?

So here are some things you can do to hide your ugly radiators:Pick radiators which reflect your interior style. ... Hide ugly radiators with a radiator cover. ... Paint your radiators. ... Create a radiator seating area. ... Hide your radiator with a table or sideboard. ... Use a magnetic radiator wrap to hide ugly radiator.

Is it OK for curtains to touch radiator?

Curtains can catch fire from electric radiators if the radiator is close to a curtain made of flammable material. Water radiators usually don't get hot enough to cause curtains to catch fire, but the radiator could still burn any fragile materials nearby.

How far below the window should curtains hang?

While fashion once dictated a “flood level” bottom line for curtains—one that hung just past the window sill, short enough that it would not get wet in a flood—today, style calls for curtains to either hang down to within ½-inch of the floor or even puddle slightly.

How do I keep my curtains off the heater?

Keep drapes and curtains at least 8-10" above electric baseboards, and/or at least 3" in front of them with 1" floor clearance (to allow air to circulate). Don't locate curtains or drapes directly over or in front of electric heaters.

How do Roman shades work?

Like other shades, Roman blinds can move up and down vertically to filter or block the sunlight. They can be set at any height to let in natural light, and can be adjusted at any time. Roman shades offer a more solid color block or pattern block on the window. They can stand out or blend into the wall decor.

Can you cover windows above a radiator?

Covering windows above a radiator can be a bit tricky. The heat emitted from the radiator can affect some window coverings, and it is important not to block the heating unit. Radiators also take up a lot of space near the floor which makes hanging curtains more difficult. Here are some tips to help you determine which type of window coverings to use for your windows Ventura.

Can you use roller shades and floor length curtains together?

You can use other combinations of window treatments such as roller shades and floor-length curtains together. Roller shades are easily adjusted to allow in the exact amount of light you want. Floor-length curtains can be hung in front of a smaller radiator, but you would need to use extended curtain rods to give them enough room to close in front of the radiator.

Can you use cellular shades instead of metal blinds?

You can use a similar concept with cellular shades instead of wooden or metal blinds . Cellular shades offer a softer, diffused light, but can be raised for more direct lighting. You can still use stationary curtains, or you can hang floor length curtains from the ceiling that will go in front of the radiator. By hanging them from the ceiling, you can move them out further into the room to allow for enough space for the radiator.

Do shutters look good in a house?

Wooden shutters offer a classic, long-lasting look and work well in homes that are in warm climates or have a lot of wood molding in the house. They look terrific in kitchens, bedrooms and family rooms.

What to use to cover windows with radiator?

Short Curtains. This is another option for treating windows with a radiator underneath. Short curtains can cover your windows efficiently without cluttering the sides of the radiator or blocking the heat. Typically, short curtains end at the window sill but you can experiment with the lengths of your short curtains.

What to do if you don't like curtains?

2. Shutters. If you don’t like to hang curtains, then you can try shutters. They look good by themselves and when you choose a colour that complements your room, they’ll look great. For a classic look, opt for a white colour. 3. Blinds. You can try Roman blinds if you’re not fond of shutters and curtains.

Where do short curtains end?

Typically, short curtains end at the window sill but you can experiment with the lengths of your short curtains. Let the hem of the curtains graze just at the top of the radiator cover for a better decorative look. Avoid heavy fabrics. Choose light-weight materials and light solid colours for your short curtains.

Can you use stationary curtains with wooden blinds?

Paired with Wooden Blinds: You can layer floor-length stationary curtains with wooden blinds. Since floor-length curtains drawn over the radiator block heat, opting for a stationary panel is a smart idea. These panels do not open or close. The rod and the curtains are usually threaded.

Can you use wooden blinds for outdoor light?

The wooden blinds, on the other hand, will let you control the amount of outdoor light. Paired with Cellular Shades: Cellular shades are an excellent option for securing your privacy and controlling For your floor-length curtains, choose a ceiling-mounted track instead of regular curtain rods.

Do radiators occupy a lot of space?

Most old-fashioned radiators are bulky and occupy a lot of space beneath the windows. If you have one of these radiators in your home, then you’re aware of the difficulties it creates when it comes to decorating your windows.

Do roller shades cover windows?

For windows in these areas, choose roller shades to cover your windows and pair them with floor-length curtains or drapes to maintain the aesthetic and style of your room. When choosing roller shades, opt for ones that come with blackout liners to give you maximum light blocking effects which is ideal for a bedroom.

Window treatments over a radiator

I have a formal Living Room filled with antique furniture. I bought the most amazing silk and I just want simple panels. I have a total of 4 windows. There are 2 radiators, but only one should cause a large problem.

Comments (3)

I think your idea to "fake" it over the radiator is going to be your best bet. I've got radiators under almost every window in this house and the only way I can have long drapes is to extend the rods beyond the windows so I do understand your dilema.

What to do with short curtains in living room?

If your heart is set on doing short curtains in the living room, try to avoid heavy fabrics and intense colours, which would call attention to the hovering curtains. Instead, you could do rumpled white linen curtains, hemmed to break on top of the radiator covers, for a very casual look. Rebecca Hayes Interiors.

What are roller blinds used for?

Take this space, for example: Roller blinds are used on the windows with radiators, while drapers are used for the glass doors. When mixing window treatments, make sure the colours and patterns coordinate — when in doubt, keep things simple with white and solid neutrals.

Do Roman blinds work?

But they are especially smart in the bath and bedroom, where you need the most privacy, and in the kitchen, where curtains would get in the way of cooking. Roman blinds also work well layered with floor-length drapes for an elegant look. Holly Marder.

Do wood shutters look old fashioned?

Wood shutters don’t have to look old-fashioned; in crisp white, they are classic — and practical, too. Open just the top shutters to let in light while preserving privacy, or open them all. Shutters work best on their own, so if you want to add curtains too, it’s better to go with wood blinds. Save Photo. Roman blinds.

Can you use cellular blinds on a ceiling?

Instead of using traditional curtain rods, consider curtains on a ceiling-mounted track system.

Can you hang floor length curtains on radiators?

With a large radiator cover in the way, hanging regular floor-length curtains that can close is simply not possible. One way around this is to hang the floor-length curtains you want but use stationary panels (meaning they do not close).

What is window treatment?

Window treatments are like the jackets of interior design: They're often the last thing you add, but they can dress a room up or down. Just like a tailored blazer can lend an element of sophistication or a jean jacket can make a cocktail dress casual, a full drape adds elegance to a room while a simple Roman shade keeps things streamlined.

Do sheer curtains add layers?

DO: Use sheer fabrics to add layers. On their own, sheer drapes or curtains add lightness to a room, allowing sunlight to gently filter through a space. But if you need privacy or shade, sheer fabrics are best when paired with a slightly heavier drape.

Gerrydelasel

A little below the sill so you can push the bottom of the curtain so it rests on the sill, so the heat doesn't go behind it. Or long enough that you can tuck it behind the radiator itself.

stem

If you saying that when the curtains are closed the radiator is completely covered by them.

misterhelpful

This is a bugbear of mine when rads are under the window and you have to hang curtains - too long and you can't close them because you block out the heat, too short and they look wrong when closed/pulled back. The shelf is a good option to force the heat out into the room, allowing you to have curtains that sit above it.

Keithmac

We tuck ours behind the radiator when closed, but will be fitting blinds eventually!.

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What is a good window treatment?

A good window treatment adds style, but a great window treatment becomes part of your home's architecture. When choosing blinds or indoor shutters, splurge for wood or faux wood varieties with wide slats. These upscale treatments may cost more up front, but they can actually increase the value of your home in the long run.

How far should curtains fall in 2020?

Keep in mind that, when open, your curtains shouldn't fall more than 2 inches inside the frame on each side.

How to make drapes look tailored?

For a tailored look, drapes should puddle slightly, kiss the floor or hover a half-inch above. The same goes for cafe curtains in a windowsill. High waters weren't cool in high school and they definitely aren't cool in your living room. Imagine the window above dressed with floor-length curtains hung high and wide.

Can you go overboard with window treatments?

DON'T : Go Overboard. Too much of anything is usually a bad thing, and window treatments are no exception. The more fabric you put on a window, the less light will shine through and the smaller your space will look. Try a few different layering styles before you commit. DO: Take Curtains to the Floor.

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