a simple guide to measuring curtains

Measuring for curtains need not be as frightening as it sounds. Of course, home zone will accurately measure your windows before we make your curtains so that you may be assured of getting the very best results every time. However, before we can begin the process of creating your beautiful curtains, we need to know some basic details of your situation. When you visit our store, we will then be able to advise you on the appropriate treatment, and, more importantly, we will be able to give you a guide to pricing so that we may meet your budgeting needs

<existing fittings>  <with pelmets or valance>  <bare windows>  <3 sided bays>  <5 sided bays>

measuring existing fittings

  1. Measure the width of the track or pole.

  2. Measure the drop from the bottom of the ring or hook to where you want the curtains to finish.

  3. If the curtains are to return to the wall, then measure this distance also.
NB If you want the track to be covered when the curtains are closed, then remember to measure from the top of the track to where you want the curtains to finish.

 

measuring for a track fitted with a pelmet board or valance rail

  1. Measure the width of the valance rail or pelmet board.

  2. Measure the return to the wall of the valance rail or pelmet board.

  3. Measure the curtain drop from the hook of the track.

  4. Measure the width of the track.

  5. If the curtains are to return to the wall, then measure this distance also.

 

Professional Tip

If there are multiple windows on one wall, then measure the distance between them. Why not consider dressing each window separately and putting a full length mirror or picture between them. This can have the effect of adding space and grandeur. Use a picture that has complimentary colours to your chosen fabrics, or a long, slender mirror.

 

measuring bare windows

  1. Measure the width of the window itself.

  2. Measure the space that is available either side of the window. Tracks and poles need to extend past the window by at least 6’’ either side, thus allowing as much natural light to flood into your home as possible.

  3. Measure from the ceiling or coving to where you want the curtains to finish.

  4. Measure the distance between the ceiling or coving and the top of the window reveal. This will give us a good indication of the space available for tracks, poles, valances and pelmets.

 

Professional Tip

Make a note of any doors, built in furniture etc and any planned changes. If a carpet is yet to be laid, then please inform us or our fitter upon our detailed survey.

Measuring bay windows

Bay windows no longer pose such a problem as they once did. There are now many fantastic tracks and poles suitable for all shapes of bay, from three sided to curved. home zone can offer a huge variety of tracks and stunning poles for your bay windows, but it is important to realize that many of the ‘ready made solutions’ are often a compromise on ease of use to cost. We offer a full made to measure service on both tracks and poles for bay windows which will solve all your bay window needs. home zone, will of course make a site survey of your window so that we may better judge your requirements.

Tracks can normally be bent one way to the angles of the bay. If you also want the curtains to turn back onto the outer side walls of the bay, you will need a two way or ‘reverse bend’ track or pole.

three sided bay

  1. Measure the distance around the bay.

  2. Measure from the ceiling or coving to the top of the window.

  3. Measure from the ceiling, or coving to where you want the curtains to finish

NB

You may want your curtains to continue outside of the bay window and return onto the walls. Please inform us or our fitter so that we may best advise on the most suitable track or pole for this option.

 

five sided bay
The five sided bay, like the three sided bay above, can be fitted with a track or pole that will follow the contours. These may also be reverse bent outside of the bay.
This five sided bay has the addition of two ‘reverse-bends’ to the outside of the bay. The advantage of this arrangement is that curtains can be pulled further away from the window itself thus allowing much more light into the room. The same arrangement can be made on a three sided bay providing that there is sufficient space outside the bay window. It must be noted that sometimes, due to the acute angles involved, this arrangement may only work as a ‘dress curtain’ arrangement on the outside of the bay, with that part of the curtain being static. SILENT GLISS offer a range of specialist tracks and poles that, angles and space allowing, will allow this additional space to be used for working curtains, thus enabling the curtains to be pulled back much further away from the window space.