Will a roller blind clear my radiator, handle or sill?
Often yes, but it is worth checking before ordering. A roller blind sits a little in front of the surface it is fixed to, and how far depends on the blind's size, the brackets and the way it is hung. There is no single figure, because it varies by system and by blind. What matters is measuring what is near the window, and checking it at the measure.
What decides how far it projects
- Roll diameter. The fabric wraps around a tube. A larger or longer drop of fabric makes a thicker roll when the blind is up, and a thicker fabric makes a bigger roll too.
- Brackets. The brackets hold the tube away from the wall or frame. Some are compact and some are deeper.
- Roll direction. The fabric can come off the front of the tube or the back. This changes how close the blind hangs to the glass, and how it looks.
- Headrail or cassette. A cover over the roll adds depth, and may be useful for neatness and light control.
- Controls. A chain, a cord or a motor at the end of the tube adds to the width, rather than the depth, but can affect how the blind sits near a wall.
- Fixing position. Inside the window recess, on the frame, or on the wall above, each puts the blind at a different distance from the glass.
Things to check near your window
Radiators and heaters
A blind that hangs over a radiator can trap heat, and may be affected by it. It helps to look at the space between the blind and the radiator and whether the radiator sits right under the window. Heat can also move the fabric away from the glass. Ask about position and how the manufacturer advises you to use the blind near heat.
Window handles and locks
Handles stick out into the room, and a blind has to clear them when it is lowered, and in some cases when the window is open. It helps to measure how far the handle projects, and whether it turns in a way that would catch the fabric.
Windowsills
If you fix to the wall above the window, the bottom of the blind may hang in front of the sill's front edge, or rest on it. A deep sill, or objects such as plants, can push the blind away from the glass. It is worth thinking about what stands on the sill.
Trickle vents, cranked or tilting windows
These can interfere with where a blind sits. A window that opens inward needs space.
Curtains, pelmets and other blinds
If you plan to use a blind with curtains, think about the order they hang. Curtains normally sit in front of a blind, and you need space for both. See our guide on curtains or blinds if you're deciding.
Furniture and radiators on the wall
It helps to check that a sofa back, a desk or a bedside table is not pushed against the window where the blind needs to hang.
A simple way to check
- Pick the spot where the blind would be fixed, such as inside the recess or above the frame.
- Measure the distance from that fixing surface to the nearest obstruction, such as the handle.
- Note anything that sticks out, and by how much.
- Write down which side of the window the handle or control is on.
- Tell us what you found, so the brackets and fitting can be chosen to suit.
This is one of the things we look at during the visit, and we're happy to check clearance in person. You can read more in our roller blinds page.
If space is tight
- Fitting inside the recess may keep the blind tight to the glass, if the recess is deep enough.
- A different bracket can change how far the roll sits from the surface.
- A fit-to-frame blind sits very close to the glass and can be an option where clearance is a problem on suitable windows.
- A different blind type might suit better than a roller.
Checking helps
Two windows that look alike can need different answers. It helps to measure what is actually there, and we are always happy to answer questions. We like to check carefully so that your blind sits just right, clear of the radiator.
Next step
Bring your questions about handles, radiators and sills to the visit. Book a free measure and we'll check clearance at the window with you.
