Curtains can be a great way to spice up a room and diffuse natural light. But you should carefully consider where you place them in your apartment, especially if there is a radiator nearby. Consider how safe the curtains are before using them.
Curtains can catch fire from electric radiators if the radiator is near a curtain made of flammable material. Water-based radiators usually don’t get hot enough to set curtains on fire, but the radiator could still burn delicate materials nearby.
If you want to decorate a room or cover windows, a curtain can be an excellent option. However, you should consider where the windows are in relation to the radiator and the type of radiator. Read on to learn how to safely use curtains near a radiator.
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Consider the type of radiator
Before you can determine if curtains can catch fire from a radiator, you need to know what type of radiator you have. Some are safer than others, so the type can have a big impact on fire safety around your radiator at home.
Here are two popular types of radiators you may have and how each one can affect fire safety in your home:
Water-based radiators
Many older radiators use water or steam to heat up. For this reason, they don’t get as hot as newer ones, so they’re actually safer when it comes to curtains and other flammable items.
A water or steam radiator usually doesn’t get hot enough to cause a fire. Your curtains would have to sit directly on the radiator, and even then, the curtains could simply burn.
However, water and steam radiators can still be dangerous. You shouldn’t bring your curtains too close to one as it still poses a risk. However, if you want to use curtains near a radiator, it’s not as risky if the radiator is an older one that uses steam or water.
Electric radiators
Newer radiators are usually electric, so they don’t have water pipes near them. This can improve their appearance and make them less bulky. But electric radiators can get much hotter than older models.
The radiator doesn’t need to use water or steam, and electricity can work faster. This means, of course, that you can enjoy a warmer room in cold winters. But it also means that it’s more likely for the radiator to cause a fire if you place curtains near it.
Choosing the right curtains
Once you’ve figured out what type of radiator you have, you should consider the best curtains to use. You can still use curtains near an electric radiator, but you need to be more cautious. This way, you can reduce the risk of them catching fire.
Here are some things to consider when using curtains near water or electric radiators:
Fabric type
You should consider the fabric you want to use for your curtains. Thicker curtains can be nice if you want to block out light during the day. But they can be harder to manipulate and weigh more.
Thinner fabrics are easier to hang and cut, but they might not block as much light. Some fabrics are also more or less flammable. Consider whether you want to sacrifice some user-friendliness for something with less risk.
Linen and cotton are among the most flammable fabrics. Heavier, thicker fabrics can still be flammable, but they aren’t as bad as thinner fabrics. Even if you don’t need to block the light, a thicker fabric might be the best option.
Curtain length
Of course, you should also consider how close the curtain will be to the radiator. Full-length curtains can look glamorous, but they also touch any radiator located below a window.
That might be okay for a water or steam radiator, but it’s still a risk. Instead, consider cutting the curtains to just the length of the window. This way, they can adequately cover your window, but you won’t add unnecessary fire risk.
If there is enough space between the windowsill and radiator, you can extend the curtains slightly. Just make sure there is some space between the curtain and the radiator to prevent it from getting too hot and catching fire.
Purpose and design
You should also consider the main purpose or function of your curtain. If you want to open and close the curtain day and night, it needs to be as far away from the heater as possible. This way, you don’t have to worry about fire when you’re away from home or sleeping.
However, you might have blinds that open and close, so your curtain is just an aesthetic choice. In this case, you may not have to worry as much about the fabric or length. As long as the curtains don’t sit on the sides of the heaters, you can leave them open.
You still have some risk of the curtain catching fire. But it’s not as significant a risk as if you left the curtains closed above the heater.
How can you tell the type of radiator?
You can examine the sides and area around your radiator to see if it uses water or steam. If it does, you should see pipes that go in and out of the radiator, allowing the water or steam to enter and exit.
With an electric radiator, you likely won’t see any pipes. They also don’t have vents like a water or steam radiator. If the floor beneath the radiator looks warped, you likely have a steam radiator because the steam can damage the floor.
You can also hire someone to inspect your radiator for you. They can tell you what type of radiator you have and help ensure the room is safe before you hang curtains.
How close can it be to a radiator?
If you find that the radiator uses water, it won’t get hot enough to cause a fire. Even if you have an electric radiator, you can still use curtains near it. But you need to take more precautions.
Make sure to keep the curtains short and use a fire-resistant fabric to reduce the risk of the curtains catching fire. Leave at least a few inches of space between the curtains and the radiator.
You might also want to only use curtains near heaters in rooms where you spend a lot of time. This way, you’ll quickly notice if something is wrong. For example, you wouldn’t want to install curtains near a heater in a guest room you rarely visit.
What should you use if you can’t use curtains?
If you decide that you don’t feel safe using curtains near a radiator, consider using blinds instead. They can still cover your window at night or when you want some privacy. Blinds don’t always look as stylish as curtains, but you can find some good blinds.
Some blinds come in different styles, such as horizontal or vertical. Then, you can choose the style that fits the room well.
You can also choose shorter curtains that barely cover the window. If you need the benefits of curtains over blinds, they don’t have to reach the floor. Sometimes, shorter curtains can look just as good and be functional and safe.
Can curtains touch baseboard heaters?
It’s not a good idea to pull curtains over baseboard heaters. For one, it doesn’t look very good, so it could detract from the overall design of the room.
It also might not be safe if the heater gets too hot. While the heater might not cause a fire, you should opt for shorter curtains or blinds.
Final thoughts
Curtains can catch fire from a radiator. However, you can take precautions, such as choosing the right fabric and size for your curtains, to reduce the risk of fire. Then, you can still enjoy some style and comfort without feeling unsafe in your home.