Thoughts on radiator positions

[tumbledown]

Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the best positions for central heating radiators. It seems traditional advise was to site them under windows on external walls, but now I seem to be reading things that contradict this

My house is timber frame with frame exposed externally and internally. The walls are only about 90mm thick - some brick infil, some wattle and daub. Also, the front of the house is jettied by about 2 feet. All windows are single glazed.

If I site the first floor radiators under the windows on external walls they will also be over the jettied area. It seemed to me that I would lose a lot of heat out of the walls, windows and floor over the jetty, as it is very difficult to insulate any of them very well. however, I've also been told if I site them on the internal walls away from the window/external wall area, I will end up with a very cold area around the window and it would also increase condensation. I've been advised you should heat the coldest area for maximum comfort, but wouldn't this also be a very expensive and inefficient method?

 

[Sal]

there are other factors.. like.. personal preference.... my house has window seats.. so it strikes me as particularly thick that they placed the radiators under the windows... it when you sit on window seats when heating is on.. you burn your legs.

and they are stupidly small radiators for room size to fit under the window.

having said that.. we decided to move one for many reasons, and were going to place it on internal wall. after ALOT of attempting to find a batten, himself when into attic a peered down the wall to find the 'battens are teeny and far to weedy to holder a radiator up, and largly what is keeping the lath and plaster partiion wall up.. is lath and plaster. but then placing on external wall meant attempting to drill into granite. amazing how those drill bits glow...

so ah.. what im saying is there is 'ideal' and then there is realistic.

 

[Nemesis]

I agree, same under window prob, but on internal walls the wall above get very mucky!

 

[Aidan]

Been discussed here before.

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4415&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

You do get greater heat losses through the structure by local heating of the external walls and the windows.

However, the radiators are placed under the windows to counteract cold draughts descending the inner face of external walls like an invisible waterfall. You can generate a ferocious draught by putting a radiator on an internal wall opposite a solid external wall with single glazed windows. It's less critical with double glazing & insulated walls.

 

[middi]

Tumbledown, I was faced with the same problem.

All radiators have been fitted under the windows, jetty or no jetty.

 

[tony]

for securing radiators to lathe and plaster walls.
for example my bedroom radiator is 1400mm wide, the brackets only would be fixed into the lathe, now this is a heavy radiator and thats without water.

Cut a sheet of 18mm plywood 50 mm smaller than the size of your radiator, line the edges with a small edge to produce a neat edge and fix this to the wall, you will now catch lots of post fixings, you want to be atleast 1.5 inches into the wood of the post so you might need 3 inch screws,

this will then allow you to get a decent wooden fixing for your radiator bracket.

my old company carried out this method all the time.

also the added bonus is that you only need to wallpaper 50mm below the top of the radiator, making decorating much easier.

best regards

tony

 

[tumbledown]

I've read the comments, and the previous posting refered to by Aidan.

If I'm reading it right, it seems that in an old house with single glazed windows, it is best to site under windows if practically possible, go for adjacent walls it its not practical, and try and avoid opposite walls.

 

[ajbaker]

I have just installed central heating radiators throughout my property. In two (front rooms) I have been able to position them under the window. In the rear rooms I had to install them on the opposite wall. The difference is noticable, no foot level drafts in the front rooms (almost to the point of it being as hot at low level as head height). However I would not say the problem is bad in the rear rooms - there is a draft, and it is cool, but its certainly not uncomfortable.

Having said that, the (small) dog has made his preference (for the front rooms) known!

Installing radiators directly under windows will also reduce (slightly) condensation forming on the interior of the windows.

I would therefore recommend installing under the window if practical. If not, put them where is most practical and most aesthetically pleasing.

Do remember you don't have to purchase bog standard radiators! I have reconditioned a free standing column radiator for the lounge. It looks lovely, and enables the radiator to be in front of the window whilst also being able to draw full length curtains closed behind it. You can get feet for many column radiators, and also floor supports for normal radiators which enable you to avoid wall mounting. However the latter I believe looks awful.

 

[tumbledown]

I'm hoping to go for column radiators downstairs, or something that looks a bit better than the bog standard modern ones, but do to finances I'll struggle to afford them upstairs, as I gather they are quite a bit more expensive (although I haven't really priced any as yet).

 

[plumbers mate]

I have looked and dreamed about getting radiators from these people as I do not like Wickes Bog-standard style.

http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/Reproduction.htm

My windows have wood panels below each window so have thought about freestanding radiators even though I won't be able to afford them but think something with a bit of style is essential.

However, a pessimist at work said that free standing radiators aren't all that safe - someone leaning/sitting/kids falling against them can cause displacement...

How sturdy are they? Are they really "freestanding"?

 

[Moo]

My (reclaimed) column radiators are all the ones with feet, for exactly that reason.

 

[biffvernon]

Here are some second hand ones. Andy Thornton

 

[Penners]

for securing radiators to lathe

If you're going to secure a radiator to your lathe, surely you could just weld it on?

Aaah - perhaps you mean lath. :wink:

 

[Penners]

My (reclaimed) column radiators are all the ones with feet, for exactly that reason.

Are they the old kind where you can slip your hand in between the columns, to have a warm? Luvverly!

 

[Moo]

Yes, they're the very ordinary but very comforting sort with just the right size gaps between the columns. Wet socks dry on them a treat.

 

[Nemesis]

That's taken me back - to school. Vic Board School, now of course demolished - with high windows and column rads, which we used to put our wet wool mitts on to dry after snowball fights.

The smell was awful really.

 

[Gervase]

...but were your mitts joined with knicker elastic which went up the sleeve and around your shoulders so they flapped around your cuffs like paralysed penguin flippers when you werne't wearing them, and were thus incapable of losing a single mitt (Hah, what fools!).?
Ah, that smell of damp wool...who needs madeleines?

 

[Nemesis]

Yup. It wouldn't be allowed now, for reasons of health and safety, in case we strangled ourselves.

Damp wool - and Gloy glue, in conical pots with a cork.

Kids with pink-framed National Health specs, with sticky plaster over one lens to cure a 'lazy eye'. Duffle coats and balaclavas.

And me mam's Co-op number was 63513.

 

[Gervase]

Ah, duffel coats - worn with just the hood on the head so they flapped behind you like Batman...
And those heavy gaberdine raincoats with the belts...
And Copydex glue, that stank of fish...
And...
ENOUGH!
This is a young and happening website, populated by funksters and cool types, who have no wish to know what life was like back then. They may wish their houses to be period, but not their fellow posters!

 

[Paul Hopper]

I am vintage 1947 cannot imagine anyone wanting to restore much from that particular era.

and I remember the school radiators and those silly hatpegs on racks which used to catch me round the ear!
enough..

Paul