How do you deal with curtains over radiators?

[danlightbulb]

In my house almost all radiators are under windows, which is probably most common.

In a previous house they weren't, because they'd put them on the internal walls to make the pipe runs easier.

At the moment I have decorated all of the upstairs bedrooms, and thrown away the manky curtains and curtain tracks left by the previous owner. Currently, all my upstairs windows are bare as I haven't been able to decide how best to clothe them.

I would like curtains, they keep the room much warmer. But if I get floor to ceiling curtains obviously this won't work because of the radiators. I could get windowsill length curtains, but they don't look as good, and it leaves a gap between curtain and windowsill that nice hot air from my radiators can still sneak up behind instead of coming out into my room.

Blinds would solve the privacy issue, but don't do much to help with warmth or cosyness.

I should add that I have fairly large windows - the two larger bedrooms and the living room have a multisided bay window.


Bit stuck.

 

[danlightbulb]

Choose.


Also, yes the gap will let a bit of heat up towards the window, but infinitely more heat is getting into the room compared to them being completely covered. We hemmed our curtains in the bedroom to be window sill length; works fine.

I also have really shallow window sills upstairs because the bays are actually timber frame. The downstairs brick is solid brick so normal window sill depth.

 

[danlightbulb]

Here's one of the bay windows in question. I cant photograph the other one right now as its full of junk.

Note the depth of the window sill is tiny, the radiator is quite low down and its a 5 sided bay so complex to install any blinds onto.

Proper curtains would be very difficult as the pole would have to go on the bay ceiling.

Edit - the other issue Im finding is the protrusion of the window handles. To not foul them I will have to bring the blinds out a good 40mm from the face of the window, which means they then don't sit on the sill, but in front of it.

 

[danlightbulb]

That bay would look lovely with some proper shutters in. We don't have any curtains in our house. Shutters all the way. Good for sound dampening when shut, and help with insulation too. Generally look much classier than curtains too, and help when you're in a relatively overlooked London terrace e.g. letting light in whilst avoiding peeping Toms...

I dont think proper shutters could be mounted, there isn't the depth to the window cills given the handle protrusions and the fact that proper shutters have a frame depth to them as well. Plus 5 sided bay (which isn't straight/level at all - old house) - it would have to be custom made carpentry which I doubt I can stretch to.

 

[danlightbulb]

Have you looked at Perfect Fit blinds? Might be an option for you.

Something like these… https://www.blindsdirect.co.uk/perfect-fit-blinds

I have looked, unfortunately the maximum width for a single pane is 1200mm, my centre window pane is wider than that.

Also its much more expensive, as each one is more expensive and I need more of them because every individual pane of glass has its own blind. On that window above its 11 individual panes.

I dunno. you might be surprised. Ours sit like this picture - the box frame protrudes over the sill. Looks as intended. We paid around £4k for the whole house.. Victorian bay (also wonky), two bedrooms plus loft bedroom, plus bathroom. That's the bay (4 big sash windows), plus essentially 6 other sash windows across the other rooms. Local company, he did all the measuring etc. but he was upfront about them being manufactured overseas which most smaller companies seem to do anyway.

Thanks, its a nice idea but much more than im able to spend.

If I go for wooden venetian blinds, measured and fitted myself, ordered online, Im at around £400 for the whole upstairs.

Blinds don't really solve the warmth issue though, not as good as curtains do anyway.



Im looking at these slimline handles which only protrude 28mm from the frame, thats less than half what the existing handles do so might help a lot.

Venetian Slimline Espag Window Handle in White - For use with Window Blinds

Window Handle poking through your blinds? These low profile handles are the perfect option, available in 3 colours and easy to fit.

www.handlesandhinges.co.uk