Curtains above radiators... Above or below sill?

[d000hg]

Nearly all our radiators are below single glazed windows and the curtains that came with the place are so long they pool on the floor and are messy.

I'm fairly sure they should be short or advice the radiator, but HOW short? Just below the sill seems an obvious choice but then the hot air seems like it will just go straight up behind the curtain.
Whereas if the curtain just brushed the sill it would be more recessed I think... But I don't know if this is normal or would look ok?

 

[Gerrydelasel]

A little below the sill so you can push the bottom of the curtain so it rests on the sill, so the heat doesn't go behind it. Or long enough that you can tuck it behind the radiator itself.

 

[stem]

If you saying that when the curtains are closed the radiator is completely covered by them.

As you have figured out, the majority of the heat comes from the top of the radiator by convection. Therefore, ideally the curtains should be above the sill, so that the sill protrudes below them and That way the heat rises in front of the curtains and into the room instead of behind them.

If that's not possible, a shelf above the radiator, or a radiator cabinet would provide the same effect.

Blinds are also a possible solution they fit inside the window recess, and then the curtains could be retained for decorative purposes. Left open of course.

 

[misterhelpful]

This is a bugbear of mine when rads are under the window and you have to hang curtains - too long and you can't close them because you block out the heat, too short and they look wrong when closed/pulled back. The shelf is a good option to force the heat out into the room, allowing you to have curtains that sit above it.

 

[Keithmac]

We tuck ours behind the radiator when closed, but will be fitting blinds eventually!.