Can a Radiator Be Installed Under a Staircase? What You Need to Consider

The space under the stairs is often a dead area in the home. If you're planning a renovation or looking for designer radiators for your home, the area beneath the stairs may seem like a useful place to install one. However, the space under the stairs does present several difficulties before you can decide if it is worth fitting a radiator. These include the size of the space, the flow of air around the radiator, the size of the radiator and lastly how you will connect up to your heating system.

It is usually possible to put a radiator under a staircase, but it is worth checking that there is enough space and that the radiator will get good airflow.

Is It Possible to Install a Radiator Under a Staircase?

Yes, you can install a radiator in the space under a staircase, provided there is suitable wall space to install it, and it can be connected to your central heating system.

The space under the stairs can vary greatly depending on the design of the staircase. Some staircases have a good-sized area under the stairs, whilst others have a very low area under the stairs with not a lot of height.

Before buying a radiator, it is important to take exact measurements of the available space, including the height of the wall and the amount of space available on either side of the radiator.

Check the Available Space

The shape of your staircase is important to consider first.

A radiator needs room to operate, ideally a couple of feet on all sides of the unit to allow for the free flow of warm air. The space around a radiator could be fenced in to contain furniture, storage or other items but this would undoubtedly restrict airflow.

Measure:

• The height of the available wall.
• The width of the installation area.
• The depth available for the radiator.
• The distance from the floor.
• The position of nearby doors and furniture.

Remember that the body of the radiator is not the only item that needs space to fit. The valves, the pipework, and the room required for the maintenance of the radiator must also fit.

Consider the Shape of the Staircase

A staircase usually creates an angled or sloping ceiling. This can make a standard horizontal radiator difficult to fit in certain areas.

If the ceiling becomes very low near one end of the staircase, a tall radiator may not be suitable.

In some cases, a shorter horizontal radiator can work better. In other layouts, a narrow vertical radiator may be a more practical choice.

The best option depends on the shape and dimensions of the available wall.

Think About Heat Circulation

Radiators work by releasing heat into the surrounding air. Warm air rises, while cooler air moves down towards the radiator and is heated again.

Because of this, you need to think carefully about what is above and around the radiator.

An open area beneath a staircase can actually provide plenty of room for warm air to move. However, if the radiator is surrounded by cupboards, boxes or furniture, the heat may not spread as effectively.

Try to keep the area around the radiator as open as possible.

Don't Block the Radiator

One of the biggest mistakes is treating the space under the stairs as extra storage and then placing items directly in front of the radiator.

Avoid using the area as a place to store:

• Shoes and boots.
• Boxes.
• Large baskets.
• Furniture.
• Cleaning equipment.
• Heavy curtains or fabric items.

Blocking the radiator can reduce the amount of heat entering the room. It can also make the space feel colder than expected.

If you want storage beneath the stairs, plan it around the radiator rather than placing storage directly over it.

Choose the Right Radiator Size

Choosing the right size for a radiator is important wherever you decide to install it. But this is especially the case when installing a radiator in an unusual location.

A radiator that is too small may not produce sufficient heat for the room. A radiator that is too large may not fit in the space available and could be a waste of money to purchase and install.

It’s always worth working out the approximate heat requirement of the room before you purchase, and this is generally quoted in BTUs (British Thermal Units).

Room dimensions, insulation levels, window sizes, external walls and ceiling height are some of the factors which affect the amount of heat a room requires.

Could a Vertical Radiator Work?

While spaces under staircases are often thin, tall volumes, vertical radiators can make the most of the available wall height rather than taking up too much wall space horizontally.

Vertical radiators have a greater height than a traditional radiator and use less horizontal wall space. They are perfect for slim locations where normal radiators would interfere with a door, with furniture, etc.

Remember to check the actual output of a vertical radiator as well as the space required around it. It’s not just a matter of it fitting the wall.

Think About the Pipework

You may have to modify your existing pipework when installing a radiator under a staircase.

Simple installation when a radiator is being replaced in a similar location to which it was previously situated. However, moving a radiator to another part of the room could involve additional work to rearrange the pipework.

Consider where the heating pipes enter the radiator and whether access will be suitable.

It’s always best to speak to a qualified heating professional if you’re unsure as to whether you can modify existing pipework.

Safety and Access Matter

The radiator will need to be fixed to the wall using suitable wall fixings. If the wall beneath the stairs is made of plasterboard or similar lightweight construction material, then extra care will be needed to fix the radiator correctly.

Care should also be taken to ensure the under-stair radiator does not present a hazard to people using the stairs.

There should be enough space between the radiator and the wall for people to walk up and down the stairs without knocking into it. The radiator should not project into the walkway and should be smooth to prevent any damage or injury.

Leave sufficient room to open and close the valves and to bleed the radiator as required. This will make future maintenance so much easier.

Final Thoughts

So, can a radiator be installed under a staircase?

Yes, a radiator can be installed under a staircase. However, prior consideration to the space available and the necessary requirements for a radiator’s operation need to be taken into account.

However, the under-stairs area is likely to be of an unusual shape and so won’t take a standard radiator. Instead, a compact horizontal radiator or slim vertical radiator may be more suitable.

There are lots of different radiators on the market. First and foremost, choose a radiator on the basis of heat output for the room and space for the radiator to function effectively, rather than appearance or size.

With some thought, it’s a great place to fit your heating system in your home, and it won’t take up much room or detract from the comfort of your room.