Any ideas on how to keep warm air from disappearing through a large bay window?

[s13302]

Now that the temperatures are dropping we've been really feeling the effects of having a large single-glazed bay window in our living room. We've looked into curtains but they are very expensive. I thought that I could try and get the fabric and lining myself but I'm wondering if getting blackout (rather than the more expensive thermal) lining would be sufficient. It's in a Victorian property and the height of the window (incl. the frame) is about 10ft (325cm) and the width is around 15ft (460cm). Unfortunately, the shutters only cover the two smaller side windows and they don't close properly either.

Have any of you dealt with something similar before? It's particularly uncomfortable in the mornings and although we have a little mobile heater to take the edge off, it's not an ideal solution and also costly to run. Would you say that curtains are the best option here (if so, what material would you use)?

Any ideas or advise would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[plasticpigeon]

I put up large curtains in my bay, which is about 8ft x 8ft. I bought curtain material and had them made. I think just over £200. A company called Laura's Beau make reproduction Morris designs under license for a sensible price. Perhaps that would be within budget? I know plastic window film is available that can temporarily go over windows in winter to help with heat loss, but it is not the most attractive.

 

[Abi Cott]

Even thin curtains make a significant difference to the temperature in a room. I know from experience that hanging an old bed sheet over a window makes a noticeable difference.

If I was in your position that's exactly what I would do. Get something up over the window, that will take the edge off whilst you save a bit of extra cash for curtains WITH thermal linings.

I've also used the window film. It works! I was dealing with a room with two 8' high windows. If you apply it carefully it's pretty invisible for a couple of months. Then it starts to sag and looks abominable.

 

[livias]

Ebay
Meldrum_interiors
We curtained our whole house from her. Not expensive as they are second hand but beautiful quality interlined 5* hotel curtains
If she doesnt have anything big enough in stock then email her to see what she can acquire

 

[88v8]

Curtains can save as much heat as double glazing. Always make ne laugh when people spout about being 'green' and yet have no curtains.

Yes, make them yourselves, or buy second hand until you have fixed on a decorative scheme. Curtains are a pivotal decision in terms of room décor.

If there is a radiator under the window, put a window board over it so that the curtains do not cover the rad.

Fitting an internal sill/window board would also reduce the height/cost of the curtains. There is of course a visual impact.

And as the windows are tall, use curtain draw rods for opening/closing.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-5091383/We-don-t-housing-crisis-population-crisis.html?ito=email_share_article-top
They will prevent the tugging that eventually tatters the curtains.

Ivor

 

[fernicarry]

If there isn't a radiator under the window consider whether you could put one there. The heat rising from the radiator will counteract the cool air sinking down in front of the window which you would otherwise feel as a draft. Doubly effective if its cast iron as it will actually radiate heat into the room as opposed to steel panel radiators which just send all the heat up to the ceiling.

Made an enormous difference to the comfort level of our living room. Not quite as straightforward as hanging curtains but worth considering if there are any other projects to be done.

-Alan

 

[MikeG]

........Doubly effective if its cast iron as it will actually radiate heat into the room as opposed to steel panel radiators which just send all the heat up to the ceiling.......

Sorry, no. There's no physics backing this up. Any difference in performance is about thermal mass and rate of transfer, but there is nothing about cast iron which allows radiation in a way not available to pressed steel.

 

[plasticpigeon]

........Doubly effective if its cast iron as it will actually radiate heat into the room as opposed to steel panel radiators which just send all the heat up to the ceiling.......

Sorry, no. There's no physics backing this up. Any difference in performance is about thermal mass and rate of transfer, but there is nothing about cast iron which allows radiation in a way not available to pressed steel.

Unless they are a darker colour.

 

[88v8]

http://www.gcsescience.com/pen10-matt-black.htm

Iron rads used to be supplied in dark colours iirc, typically bronze/gold.
Whether it would be noticeable in a domestic setting I'm not sure.

Ivor

 

[Flyfisher]

Yes, but I think the point was more about the difference (or not) between the efficiencies of cast iron vs steel panel radiators. Obviously for a fair comparison both would have to be the same colour and finish.

 

[88v8]

In which case I suspect there would be no difference, except that iron rads heat and cool more gradually.
Another difference - leaving aside appearance which in a Period setting is perhaps the most important consideration - is that iron column rads are very efficient in terms of output per square foot of wall space.

Ivor

 

[fernicarry]

Hmm, it would depend on the relative proportions of heat transfer away by convection versus other processes. E.g. a night storage heater tries hard not to lose heat by radiation whilst allowing controlled convection. You could imagine a heater design at the other end of the spectrum that does the opposite by killing convection to only leave radiation (not sure how one would construct such a thing short of putting it in a vacuum).

Given that modern panel heaters with their fins and shrouds are designed to maximise convection (heat transfer to the surrounding air) that would seem to be counter-productive to those of us with high spaces to heat. But its entirely possible that your typical cast iron radiator is an even better convector than the very best panel ones due to its large surface area.

Maybe all that changed was I gave the radiated heat an unobstructed path into the room to possibly impinge upon the occupants rather than all of it hitting the back of the sofa.

It worked for me, I'd do it again.

 

[s13302]

Thanks for the input and ideas! I'll have a look if I can find something second hand or try one of the other suggested options. I'm intrigued by that window film (although I can't quite picture how that will look like)!

 

[Abi Cott]

https://youtu.be/_IYuEI6mLRw

This is a fairly good demonstration of window film.

 

[Owain]

If you have a good open fire this will stop all your warm air disappearing through the bay window.

It will go up the chimney instead.

Another vote for plastic window film. If it starts to sag midwinter you can retauten it with reapplication of an electric hair-drying machine.

 

[Abi Cott]

I think the longevity of the film depends on which direction the window faces. If it's due south it sags much faster than in other areas. Probably because it is being heated up on a sunny day.

 

[Feltwell]

For a permanent solution as well as decent lined curtains proper draft proofing makes a huge difference - it did to our bay window. Brush seal strips in the parting and staff beads, across the meeting rail and a bubble seal on top of the top sash made a huge difference, in terms of drafts, noise coming in from outside, and ease of opening of the windows.

I did experiment with secondary glazing for a while but gave up on it as a permanent solution, just too many problems and too much hassle for my design of window. Window film will get you through this winter though.

If you've got gaps around any of the sashes don't underestimate the benefit of stuffing rolled up kitchen towel in to the gaps with the aid of a wooden spatula - I did that every winter for a few years before finally properly sorting the draftproofing on my window, it made a big difference!

 

[Owain]

don't underestimate the benefit of stuffing rolled up kitchen towel in to the gaps with the aid of a wooden spatula -

Or for a more period solution, ripped pieces of housemaids' petticoats.