Protecting heads from low beams...

[Minkeycat]

Hi

I'm on the hunt for some kind of padding for beams. Something not too thick and that, preferably, is relatively disguised or easy to disguise. What's the best thin but impact-absorbing material for this purpose? I need it because I'm sure like many others here, the main beams in two of our rooms are quite low so I have to duck when going under them. The other beams are fine. I'm not hugely tall at about 5' 10" but ducking in the right place has become habit and, in fact, I've never hit my head. It gets a bit awkward when visitors bash heads on the beams though (makes you wonder how many times someone has to do it before they learn!) so some kind of visitor protection might be necessary especially as we have friends well in excess of 6 foot but we might have to lay them down on a trolly on arrival and wheel them horizontally into the sitting room which can accommodate their loftiness!

Any suggestions gratefully received (oh, and a sign that says "duck or grouse" isn't going to happen!)

 

[LadyArowana]

If you don't want something permanently there looking rather "non period" you could investigate some sort of temporary padding, affixed with those things you twiddle ( technical term ) once they have passed through an eyelet on the material. They hang panels in our wood lined elevator when people are moving in or out like that. Depends how many un expected visitors you have I suppose

 

[livias]

I have seen a piece of hanging ribbon used. It is not so important to actually protect peoples heads as to warn them

 

[Damon]

How about using some cork sheet dyed a similar colour to the beam?

 

[a twig]

I agree with livias, prevention is better than mitigation.

As a fairly tall chap in a house with some very low ceilings, I found the only ones I tended to hit were ones above my eye line, and below my head height. Until ducking became automatic, some decorative bunting or similar strung across so it hangs below the beam made it "visible" - problem solved.

To really mitigate you need thick pipe insulation type foam - which is never gonna look pretty. But it will do the job, so it's form vs function I'm afraid...

 

[Feltwell]

Well, even as a tall person and serial head basher, I'm going to be controversial and say "Do nothing - they'll soon learn".

Anything you put up that actually provides padding will look pretty awful. Go down the " dangling warning" route with something decorative if you want to be nice!

I soon learn when to duck in friend's houses......

 

[CliffordPope]

A witty sign saying "Duck or else".
Or lower the floor?

 

[Owain]

Some people have slippers at the front door for visitors. You could have 'bump caps' from your local safety clothing supplier.

 

[cotegreen]

i have a similar problem and always wondered about padding however this week i have seen a really good idea, which was foam type padding covered over with hessian material / cloth , over part of the beam. It looks old and obviously covers up the foam. i didn't take any pictures but maybe you can google it. Best ive seen so far anyway.

 

[88v8]

The insidious intrusion of the Nanny State, where everyone must be protected from everything.

Yesterday had new visitors, there were one or two head collisions but no damage to the beams.
In the main bedroom where there is a beam about 5'0", the vertically challenged she-visitor hit her head:
"I've never hit my head on a beam before" squeaked she joyfully.

Ivor

 

[Flyfisher]

The insidious intrusion of the Nanny State, where everyone must be protected from everything.

I wasn't aware that Minkycat was an agent of government attempting to oppress low-beamed property owners. Perhaps I've missed something in the run up to the forthcoming general election? :wink:

 

[Zebra]

Giraffe, who unsurprisingly has experienced this problem himself, suggests an object hanging, preferably slightly lower than the beam, and a little in front of it, which you hit your head on first just before you get to the beam. It could be quite a small or decorative thing, but will make you duck, or halt, just before you hit your head.

 

[LadyArowana]

Giraffe, who unsurprisingly has experienced this problem himself, suggests an object hanging, preferably slightly lower than the beam, and a little in front of it, which you hit your head on first just before you get to the beam. It could be quite a small or decorative thing, but will make you duck, or halt, just before you hit your head.

Yes I could see how that would be useful

:lol:

 

[Zebra]

 

[Hobden]

The low hanging thing seems like a damn good idea. We've just moved into a new (to us) property with low doorways. And I keep hitting my head (Mrs H is fine at 5' 2-1/4"). I mostly do it when leaving a room with my mind elsewhere ... I'm sure ducking will become automatic eventually, but it's the interim I'm worried about!

 

[philpjuk100]

A few years ago I had a winch accident having a 4" hook hit me hard on the head,the "egg" dissapeared after a few weeks but my hearing was affected,I had a loss of hearing and an "echo",had a few tests and an xray but it was thought that I had dislodged or misaligned the small bones in my ears.We have a seldom used low door upstairs (the "hobbit" door) probably less than five foot tall and I was passing through when I was distracted by the doorbell and did not "duck" enough,it tore a flap out of the top of my head and left me dazed but on recovering my hearing was back to it`s previous condition!

 

[Zebra]

That's amazing, Philpjuk. I don't suppose it's a cure that ought to be widely recommended, though: to injure yourself in a similar way again.

 

[Feltwell]

Having recently had concussion (due entirely to stupidity and clumsiness ) I don't recommend it. In a contest between Feltwell's head and the wall of my house, the wall was unquestionably the victor. Concussion is rather like having the world's worst hangover but without the consolation of having enjoyed yourself the previous night.

 

[Penners]

A witty sign saying "Duck or else".

The more traditional witticism is "Duck Or Grouse". :roll:

 

[philpjuk100]

Feltwell is quite correct,I had always thought concusion was like a bad headache but it certainly is not.My hearing had been so poor as not being able to use the phone of follow telly programs but after the second "knock" is now OK !.