How to Keep Curtains Away from Baseboard Heaters

Curtains are a great way to control the elements and prevent them from interfering with your daily activities at home. However, they can come into contact with baseboard heaters installed below windows. A curtain that comes into contact with a baseboard heater can become a fire hazard. So, how can you keep your curtains away from your baseboard heaters?

Here are some ways to keep curtains away from baseboard heaters:

1. Ensure that the curtains hang 12 cm (4.72 inches) above the baseboard heaters.
2. Make sure the curtains do not block the front of the baseboard heaters.
3. Never let curtains and baseboard heaters touch.
4. Hem your curtains.

Be mindful of where your curtains are in relation to your baseboard heater to avoid a potential fire hazard. Keep reading to learn more about how to keep your curtains away from baseboard heaters.

1. Ensure that the curtains hang 12 cm (4.72 inches) above the baseboard heaters

Hanging the curtains 12 cm (4.72 inches) above the baseboard heaters means the curtains’ bottom part should be approximately 12 centimeters (4.72 inches) away from the top of the baseboard heaters. In other words, measure from the bottom edge of the curtains to the top edge of the heater.

If you’re using floor-length curtains, make sure they are at least 3 cm (1.18 inches) above the baseboard heater. In these situations, you’re probably using baseboard heaters that are closer to the floor, allowing you to plan for a shorter distance between the curtains and the heaters.

Hang curtains at an appropriate distance above the heaters

When hanging your curtains above your baseboard heater, make sure there is enough clearance for them. Before you start hanging your curtains, make sure you have all the necessary tools:

• A tape measure to determine where you should hang the curtains.
• A pencil to mark where to attach the curtains and rods.
• A ladder to reach the highest part of the wall.
• A drill and drill bit to create round holes in the wall.
• Safety goggles to protect your eyes from debris.
• A level to ensure your measurements are even.
• The appropriate rods for your curtains.

With your tools in order, you can proceed to hang curtains above baseboard heaters:

1. After marking the 12 cm (4.72 inches) distance, measure the length from the marked spot to where the rod will run.
2. Place the brackets on the wall and mark their screw holes, making sure they are even distances from the corner between the wall and ceiling. If they’re not identical, make the necessary adjustments.
3. Drill two holes that are slightly smaller than the mounting screws where a drywall anchor will be inserted.
4. Attach the brackets using a drill with screwdriver to drywall anchors. Make sure the distance between the front of the baseboard heater and the curtain is 5 cm (1.97 inches), as stated above.
5. Finally, slide your curtains onto the rod and then fit their ends into the wall brackets.

2. Make sure the curtains do not block the front of the baseboard heaters

Ideally, the distance between the front of the heater and the back of the curtain should be at least 5 cm long. This ensures that you do not block the baseboard heaters’ ventilation openings, allowing them to function optimally. It also helps prevent a fire hazard.

If there is limited space between the ceiling and the window, you can consider purchasing a wall-mounted rod with wrap-around brackets or a ceiling-mounted rod. In this case, we recommend a ceiling-mounted rod as it is easier to install. A ceiling-mounted rod also allows you to pull the curtains away from the front of the baseboard heater by more than 5 centimeters (1.97 inches).

3. Never allow curtains to touch baseboard heaters

When curtains or drapes come into contact with the baseboard heater, they can cause fire accidents or prevent air from being drawn around the bottom of the room. Always make sure this does not happen for the safety of yourself and your family.

Use curtains of the right length to avoid them touching or blocking the baseboard heater. If your curtains do not meet the requirements, you should replace them with new curtains to prevent a fire.

Finding suitable curtains for your specific situation can be challenging. In this case, consider reaching out to retailers or curtain manufacturers for assistance. They can provide you with guidance on how to choose the curtains you desire if you’re having trouble finding them during your purchase.

4. Hem your curtains

If you have multiple curtains that you want to use but they are too long to maintain the recommended distance of 12 cm (4.72 inches), you may consider hemming them. By hemming your curtains to the correct length, you can alter your desired curtains to keep them safely away from your baseboard heaters.

Why you should keep curtains away from baseboard heaters

You should keep curtains away from baseboard heaters to prevent a fire accident. There may be a risk of fire when your curtains come into contact with your baseboard heater as the curtains can block the heater’s airflow.

Normally, any heater can cause a fire accident. But in some cases, electric baseboard heaters can ignite a fire when you place curtains too close to them. Electric baseboard heaters rely on airflow to deliver heat into a room. Since they use electrically heated metals, they can cause fire accidents when they come into contact with curtains or drapes.

Another reason why you should keep your curtains away from baseboard heaters is that they disrupt the heaters’ functionality. Using long and heavy curtains or drapes can block the air intake openings in a baseboard heater.

Best type of curtains to hang over baseboard heaters

The best way to avoid fire accidents involving baseboard heaters and curtains is to keep them separated. However, this can be difficult to achieve if you’re using curtains to cover your windows. Nevertheless, solutions like hemming or trimming the curtains are usually not pleasant, especially if you’re a lover of home decor.

Experts recommend curtains that end below the windowsill. But what if you like them long? In this case, fire-resistant curtains are the best type of curtains that can be hung over baseboard heaters. Although they are not typically used in households, you should consider installing them in children’s bedrooms or the kitchen where fire accidents are most likely to occur.

If you live in a place with hot summers, these curtains can prevent fire accidents caused by glaring sunlight reflecting on your mirrors. Additionally, you can buy them if you live with a smoker or enjoy using candles. So how do you choose fire-resistant curtains?

How to choose the right fire-resistant curtains

Choosing the right fire-resistant material can be challenging, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. What’s more, there are no set national standards that indicate a material meets the fire-resistant guidelines.

However, manufacturers consider curtains or drapes as fire-resistant if they meet the NFPA 701 standard. To achieve this standard, experts measure the flammability of curtains using specific sources of ignition.

The following tips ensure that you buy the right standard of fire-resistant curtains:

Ask your local fire department about fire protection

The fire department staff can help inform you about the standards observed when testing the flammability of fire-resistant curtains. They can even recommend the best ones on the market. At the very least, your local fire department should be able to tell you which local fire safety standards apply.

Inquire with the curtain manufacturers

You can also ask the manufacturer or seller to provide you with more details about the quality of the curtains you want to buy. They can also advise you on the material that is best suited for your needs and may even have special curtains that you can hang near baseboard heaters.

Request a fire retardancy certificate for your curtains

Although a supplier may willingly provide you with the test results in most cases, always ask for a certificate when placing your order. Many manufacturers or suppliers may be able to provide fire retardancy certificates before you place your order. Knowing that your curtains are fire-resistant gives you a certain level of confidence as you try to maximize the safety of your home.

Best fire-resistant curtains

Fire-resistant curtains are typically used in commercial settings such as theaters, schools, and hospitals. However, you can use them for the safety of your home, especially if you need to hang them near a baseboard heater.

The best part is that fire-resistant curtains can also serve as home decor and passive fire defense at the same time. They act as barriers to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas in the house.

Here are some of the best fire-resistant curtains currently available on Amazon:

Macochico Fire Resistant Curtains

This product meets the NFPA 701 flame retardant standards. It is made of premium inherently fire-resistant polyester fabric. The curtain is non-toxic, eco-friendly, and extinguishes immediately upon contact with fire.

It also blocks 99% of light and has thermal insulation properties, saving up to 31% of heating and cooling costs. The material is suitable for bedrooms as it can reduce noise by up to 41% and UV to improve your sleep. Finally, this product is ideal for offices, hospitals, nurseries, warehouses, gyms, and garages.

KEQIAOSUOCAI Blackout Curtains

These curtains are primarily designed to provide safety for your home. They can block up to 95% of light, reduce external noise by 10-29 dB, provide thermal insulation, and reduce UV light. They are made of 100% high-quality 250 g/m² heavy-duty fire-resistant polyester. You can use the curtains in bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, hotels, schools, offices, cinemas, hospitals, cafes, and shopping malls.

Even better, the curtains are machine and hand washable. Note that you should avoid bleaching the fabric. When ironing, make sure to iron it with low heat and remove wrinkles.

Upcortinassi Fire-Resistant Blackout Curtains

These blackout curtains have inherent fire-resistant properties, differentiating them from chemically treated flame retardants. They are washable and non-toxic for humans. The products meet NFPA 701, CA117, and CA TITLE 19 fire test certifications. And the best part? The manufacturer can perform flame retardancy testing upon request. Alternatively, you can use the fabric swatches included in the package to test their fire-resistant properties.

Their material is made of triple-weave blackout fabric that balances room temperature throughout the seasons. They can block between 85% and 99% of light, offer sound insulation, energy efficiency, thermal insulation, and are not prone to easy fading.

KEQIAOSUOCAI Flame Retardant Blackout Grommet Curtains

Inherent fire-resistant blackout curtains are made of 100% high-quality 250 g/m² heavy-duty fire-resistant polyester. They are durable and can be machine washed in cold water.

After purchasing this product, you will receive two panels with a width of 38 inches (96.52 cm) and a length of 9 inches (22.86 cm). They have a label indicating their NFPA 701 certification.

You can use these curtains in various locations, including bedrooms, schools, hospitals, hotels, shopping malls, offices, and cafes. Even better, they can improve your sleep when used in the bedroom.

Safety tips to consider near baseboard heaters

In addition to purchasing fire-resistant curtains, you should be aware of some safety tips regarding baseboard heaters. Curtains are not the only materials that can lead to fire accidents in the house. You should pay attention to the positioning of other furniture in relation to your baseboard heaters to avoid a fire hazard.

Here are some tips to protect yourself and your loved ones near baseboard heaters:

• Avoid installing baseboard heaters in walls covered with vinyl wallpaper or cardboard.
• Avoid using adhesive hooks near baseboard heaters.
• Occasionally vacuum the baseboard heaters to remove trapped materials, dust, and dirt.
• Keep your children away from baseboard heaters.
• Never store gasoline or flammable items near the heaters.
• Avoid installing baseboard heaters and electrical outlets in close proximity.

Important Notes

Over the years, baseboard heaters have proven to be helpful, especially during cold winters. However, it can be challenging to properly position curtains to avoid fire hazards.

To be on the safe side, follow these tips:

• Make sure curtains and baseboard heaters never touch.
• Leave a distance of 12 cm (4.72 inches) between the heaters and the curtains.
• Ensure the baseboard heaters are 2 cm (0.79 inches) above the carpet.

Buy fire-resistant curtains for children’s rooms and the kitchen.

Always vacuum your baseboard heaters to remove any dirt or flammable material.