Are radiators really always placed under a window? They often are, but not always. And if you think a radiator should be placed under a window, this article will change your mind. Be careful, you will also find new ideas there that may make you want to embark on a very trendy interior decoration project!
Putting a radiator under a window: a bit of history
Electric heating appeared in the 1960s. Comfort was not at all the same as today and building materials were much less insulating than they are today. This is a sequel to the first two oil shocks that the approaches have evolved towards the search for savings. Double glazing was thus imposed at the end of the 1970s.
Previously, windows were a weak point in home insulation. The single glazing gave an impression of cold which harmed the general temperature of the habitat and the comfort of its inhabitants. It was to combat these inconveniences that radiators were installed under the windows. The cold air was heated more quickly and the ambient air was more homogeneous.
Installing a radiator under a window: practical reasons
If your home still has single glazing, there is no reason to change the location of the radiators, which are most likely under the windows. However, if the standards have changed, it is because this type of installation is very energy-intensive. Before even asking the question of the location of the radiators, the first thing to do is to change the windows and invest in double or triple glazing.
Once the house is well insulated, you have more freedom to install the radiators wherever you want. However, the location under a window makes it possible to release the surface of the walls which can accommodate furniture.
If not under a window, where should the radiators be placed?
Anywhere ! Advances in technology have made it possible to create designer radiators which become decorative pieces in their own right, combining the useful and the pleasant. Some radiators go so unnoticed that it takes an expert eye to realize it is a radiator.
The brands indeed compete in ingenuity to the point that you will be spoiled for choice. Some pieces are like works of art, signed by renowned designers, combining performance and aesthetics. The proposals push the graphics very far and everything happens as if it were a question of making people forget that they are radiators.
The pinnacle of creativity is achieved when you find yourself faced with an object that combines several functions: heating, storage and aesthetics. Should we then still be talking about radiators? Some brands indeed offer combinations and one radiator can also be used as shelves, while another becomes a mirror or screen. These games of shapes and destination are made possible thanks to a wide range of materials: chrome steel, hammered copper, glass, LEDs…
Let’s not forget either that radiators are also affected by progress in connectors and the simplifications of everyday life that go with it. The radiator can now be controlled remotely from a dedicated application, via a tablet or smartphone.
So, will you be satisfied with your radiators placed under the window or do you aspire to evolve your interior according to the latest trends?