Do curtains block radiator heat?

Author: Newell Boehm  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Hanging your curtains over your radiators means that there is a chance they could be blocking warm air from entering the room. At the moment while the cost of living is ever rising, this might be something you want to consider.

Is it OK to cover radiator with curtains?

Correctly fitted curtains should not cover the top of the radiator, but should stop just below the window ledge. Of course, badly fitting, leaky windows won't help.

Why are radiators always put under windows?

TLDR: Radiators are placed under windows so that the rising warm air will counteract the cold down draught generated by the glazing. If the radiator were on the opposite internal wall, the cold down-draught and the warm up-draught would reinforce each other, which may prove uncomfortable.

How to stop radiator heat going behind curtains in winter?

Cardboard and foil. Make a surfboard shape (ie curved over at one end out of card, cover with foil. Stick behind radiator so it pushes the curtains away from the radiator. Eh voila, the heat is pushed into the room. You can always shove it down in the daytime too.

Can curtains reduce heat in a room?

Studies demonstrate that medium-colored draperies with white-plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33%. When drawn during cold weather, most conventional draperies can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10% and increase the thermal comfort of the home.

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Why is my room so hot even with blackout curtains?

Leaving windows covered by blackout curtains can help keep some heat out during the day, but there's a hidden source of heat that can still lead to sticky sleeping without some proactive steps. Light and heat from the sun heats up everything it touches, including the structure of your home.

How to stop heat from coming through windows?

Coverings and shading

External shading is much more effective at keeping your home cool than internal blinds or curtains, as it stops the heat reaching the glass, but using both external and internal window coverings will provide maximum protection.

Should you tuck your curtains behind radiators?

Don't tuck curtains behind the radiator, use tie backs instead. Pair floor length curtains with blinds for additional privacy and sunlight control. Install ceiling tracks to increase the distance from the radiator to the curtains.

How do you stop curtains from blocking radiators?

However it's best if your curtains sit a maximum of 2-4 centimetres above a radiator to prevent the curtains from blocking any wanted heat. If by chance your curtains do cover your radiator at all it is recommended that you tuck them behind the radiator and not block it.

Do heat blocking curtains work?

If you are trying to improve energy efficiency in your home, thermal curtains at your windows can help reduce fuel use, lower utility bills and improve indoor comfort. Thermal curtains are also available as blackout, using this option has the added capability of blocking light from entering a room.

Why don't homes use radiators anymore?

They took a lot of manpower to build, and it was difficult to create a balance of heat throughout the home. And you couldn't zone it like you can't hot water. Then hot water became more popular because it gives us more control over the temperature and allows you to heat your home more evenly.

Why do people cover radiators?

Radiators can get hot; it's pretty much their only job. If you have children in the house, it may be a good idea to invest in radiator covers for safety reasons. With sensitive skin, it's very easy to end up burning yourself on a radiator, especially on bare skin.

Why do houses have 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.

Do you lose heat with radiator covers?

Some radiator covers can impede the circulation of warmth, reducing the room's temperature, and ultimately hampering your radiator's heat output. There are so many different designs and materials homeowners can choose from, luckily, so it's fairly easy to avoid this issue.

What can you hang above a radiator?

In living rooms, a console over a radiator is a great spot for decorative objects, lamps and picture frames – hang art on the wall above just as you would with a bigger piece of furniture.

Should you wear long or short curtains over radiator?

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.

How much heat do curtains block?

Blackout curtains can trap heat in during the winter and keep light and heat out during the summer. 10-25% of thermal energy loss goes out the windows. Blackout curtains can curtail this loss by a 25%, reducing your utility bills and greenhouse gases. How Much Do Blackout Curtains Cost and Where Can I Get Them?

Can curtains catch fire from baseboard heat?

Risk of Fire and Burns

Older baseboard heaters have gaps at the top of the heater where small toys can fall in and cause problems. Drapery or furniture placed too close to heaters can also be a problem.

Do curtains in front of radiator block heat?

When curtains are pulled in front of a radiator, the radiator releases warm air behind the curtain and heats only the window's space. During winter, days are shorter and curtains are pulled even earlier than usual. By doing so, we risk using more energy/heat more than necessary, leading to much higher bills.

Why are radiators white?

Whereas black surfaces absorb heat energy and light, white surfaces reflect them in contrast. Therefore, to project as much heat as possible out of radiators, moving the heat effectively from the inside to the outside, you would opt to paint them white.

Can I put a sofa in front of a radiator?

Is It Okay To Put A Sofa In Front Of A Radiator? It is not recommended to place a sofa directly in front of a radiator.

What keeps heat out better, blinds or curtains?

Blinds Versus Curtains

In general, curtains are better for retaining heat in the home. However, by choosing a thermal blind you can reduce heat loss from your home by 20-40%, while thermal curtains reduce heat loss by just 25%-30%.

How do I stop the sun from heating up my room?

Increase the Shade

Adding window treatments is one of the easiest ways to keep sunlight from heating your living space. Curtains or drapes with a reflective or light-colored backing would do the best job since they won't absorb extra heat. In addition, you can consider getting adjustable blinds or a roller-type shade.

Where does a house lose heat?

Houses will always lose heat. The colder the outside temperature or the stronger the wind, the greater the amount of heat lost through the walls, windows, doors and roof of your home ('the building fabric'). In general terms an older building will lose proportionately more heat than one built more recently.

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