How To Measure Curtains

If you’re putting curtains in front of your recess, or if your window sits flush to the wall, we would recommend to place your poles or tracks at least 10cm but often 15cm above the window.

In order for your curtains to stack back correctly you will need to extend by 15-20cm each side, as this will make space for your curtains to be drawn back. Remeber to check for any obstructions, light switches etc.

If you’re planning to have very full curtains, possibly interlined, or if light is limited in the room, add a few extra centimetres to the width to allow space to draw your curtains back fully and let the maximum light into your room.

Please consider these notes.

Curtain Poles

• Measure the width across the top of the window allowing enough space for your finials (the decorative ends attached to the pole)
• If you want your curtains to hang below the window sills, give them clearance by fixing your tracks to a batten (a block to which you attach your brackets)
• All poles can be cut to fit your space perfectly and if you’re not quite sure of your exact measurements, extendable poles will expand to fit your space
• We offer all types of poles wooden, metal etc even to fit your bay windows, please ask for details.

Curtain Tracks

• If you want your curtains inside a recess, measure its width then ensure that your track is a couple of centimetres shorter to allow space for the brackets
• PVC or aluminium tracks can be cut to fit your space perfectly
• If you’re not quite sure of your exact measurements, extendable steel tracks will expand to fit your space
• Tracks are ideal for use in bay windows. Choose PVC or aluminium tracks which can be bent to follow the contours of the window. If you prefer not to do it yourself, you can order heavier duty aluminium tracks already bent to fit
• If you want your curtains to hang below the window sills, give them clearance by fixing your tracks to a batten. Alternatively, you can choose a pole with extended brackets instead

Measure the total width of your track or pole (excluding the finials) (A) and only measure the window if it runs wall to wall. If you are making the curtains yourself, add up to 10cm to the width measurement of your curtains to allow the fabric to overlap when curtains are closed. If we are making them for you we allocate an allowance.

Measure between the architraves (C) and add on an extra 15-20cm on each side to allow for stack-backs (D) which will give you the overall all width measurement (A). Remember to add seam allowances. If it makes a difference with the amount of widths required per curtain you may get away with 15cm either side of the width for stack backs for the curtains.

First choose how long you want your curtains, and what heading type you like.

Sill length curtains should hang to between 0.5cm and 1cm above the sill.

If you prefer your curtains to hang below the sill, we would suggest allowing an extra 15cm in length.

Floor length curtains should finish 1cm to 2cm above the floor, but if you prefer a more opulent look, add an extra 20cms or so and let the fabric drape or poole on the floor.

If you are using a pole, measure pencil and pinch pleat curtains from the eye of your curtain ring.

If you are using a pole for tab top and eyelet curtains measure from the top of the pole.

If you are using tracks, measure from the eye of the curtain glider on top of the track.

Measure from the top of the recess to where you want your curtains to end either sil, below sill or floor length and then add 10cm to allow for the fixing of the pole or track above the recess.