Heat movement: better to block top or bottom?

[Dass.Kapital]

Not sure if my following example and anecdotal evidence is worth anything to you but here goes.

I too have a 'main room' in the house where most of the living etc is done. Between this and the rest of the house is a single archway which we 'close off' with a 4' high sheet of cardboard (An old packing box that moved stuff into the house and never left).

In Summer when we have the Air-con running the board is slid across the space and the main room keeps cooler. I would assume the colder air is being held back and the board is acting like a 'Dam'.

Now, in winter when the oil heaters replace the air-con. We again put the things in the main room and simple slide the cardboard across. The room stays nicely warm compared to the rooms 'outside'.

I would surmise that the cardboard is now acting as a 'Dam' in the other direction. Stopping the colder air from moving into the 'main room' where the heat is being generated. Also, we do not seem to have too much trouble with 'Cold drafts' coming through/over the board.

Of course a sheet of cardboard may behave completely differently from a blanket, but I thought my experience might be of help.

Much cheers to you and yours.

[Marko Dash]

you will not notice much of the temperature above your head, but you will feel a draft around your legs. so i say block off the bottom and stop the cold from getting in.

or use the curtain to block the top and something else yo block to bottom.

[UnderAGreySky]

Cover the top with the curtain, then use magnets / pins or glue / velcro to attach a second piece of cloth (or newspapers) at the bottom to cover the bottom bit on cold nights. Feasible?

[Executor32]

The obvious solution is to get a bigger curtain/blanket/whatever, but since you posted this topic I'm guessing that for some reason that's not feasible. I'd try UnderAGreySky's solution of attaching something else to the curtain to fill the gap.

[PeZook]

Both solutions will make the air circulate rapidly (hot air rises and escapes, sucking in more cold air) Chose the one with which you're more comfortable and then get a bigger curtain (or get yours extended at a tailor's shop). Then install a door

[Purple]

One thing you could do is mount the curtain low and than get a second smaller curtain to put on the top of the door. It would work the same as getting a new one but it should cost less and look far more fancy like those old window dressings from a century ago.

[madd0ct0r]

Curtain at top should result in warmer average room tempreture.

Curtain at bottom should result in a warmer tempreture for YOU (as the draught is acting above you)

Either way, get another curtain of a bit of cardboard or something. The difference will be dramatic.