How to Measure for Your Curtains
Measuring for your curtains is a piece of cake! No deductions, no calculations we'll do all of that for you to make sure everything hangs perfectly. Follow our simple (and we mean simple) guide below for your type of track or pole and let us do the rest.
Eyelet, Pencil Pleat & Pinch Pleat Curtains
Measuring the correct curtain width
Measure the curtain track or pole width, not the window width. It's important that this is the measurement provided, as we'll use your track or pole width to calculate the required amount of fabric for your curtains. For the most part, you will be unable to adjust the width of the curtains once they are made, so it's important that the width measurement is as accurate as possible. If fitting a new track or pole, this should extend 15cm to 20cm either side of the window and at least 15cm above.
Curtain poles
For a curtain pole simply measure the width of the pole between any finials or end caps, that is the width you should enter.
Curtain tracks
For a standard curtain track simply measure the full width of the track, that is the width you should enter.
Top-Tip:
If you'd like to order a single curtain, follow exactly the same process, then give our friendly sales team a call to place the order.
Curtain tracks with overlap
If your track has an overlap in the centre, measure the full width of the track (a) and the width of the overlap (b). Add the two together and that is the width you should enter.
Measuring the correct curtain drop
Curtains can be hung either to the floor, to the sill or to below the sill. We suggest that curtains finish either;
- 1.5cm above the floor
- 15-20cm below the sill (or 2 - 3cm above the radiator)
- 1.5 cm above the sill
Top-Tip:
It's important to allow a small amount of space at the bottom of the curtains; If they drag at the bottom then they could mark or fray.
Pencil & Pinch pleat pole heading
When using a curtain pole, measure from the underside of the decorative ring to where you want the curtain to finish at the bottom.
Pencil & Pinch pleat track heading
When using a curtain track, measure from the top of the track to where the curtain is to finish at the bottom.
Eyelet heading
Our eyelet heading curtains will fit poles up to 30mm in diameter. Simply measure from the top of the pole to where you want the curtain to finish at the bottom. We will make the curtain with 3cm of fabric above the top underside of the eyelet where it sits on the pole. We add this automatically so simply measure from the top of your curtain pole.
Measuring for Wave Curtains
Measuring for your Wave curtains is very much like measuring for a blind, as the track will be included with the curtains. Just follow our simple instructions below to be confident that your new curtains will fit perfectly.
Exact Fitting (Recommended)
This is the measurement you need to take if you want your Wave curtains to fit outside the window recess, overlapping on all sides. Measure the size of the recess, then add a little extra on all sides to ensure adequate coverage.
Measure the exact size of the area you would like the Wave curtains to overlap. To minimize light leakage we recommend that you overlap the window recess by at least 150mm at the top and 150mm each side.
The overlap at the bottom is a matter of personal choice but please take into account obstacles such as radiators.
Use a metal tape measure, cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements.
Bay Windows
Exact fitting is also the fitting method we recommend if you have a bay window. Treat the whole bay as one big window and follow the same process as above.
Top-Tip:
If you are replacing existing curtains and you want the same size, simply measure the width of the pole or track, and the drop from the top of the pole or track to the bottom of the curtains, and specify exact fitting, we will make your Wave Fold curtains the same size overall (we will send the track with your Wave Fold curtains, so the track will be included in the size). Please note that the spacing between folds on our Wave Fold curtains is approximately 9cm, so the appearance may vary slightly from your current curtains.
Recess Fitting
This is the measurement you need to take if you want your Wave curtains to fit inside the window recess. Measure the full width and height of the recess [the size of the hole if you like] and we will make the appropriate deductions to ensure a perfect fit.
Measure in 3 places for both the width and the drop, use the smallest measurements.
Don't make any deductions, we will deduct 10mm from the width, and 15mm from the drop, to ensure a perfect fit.
Use a metal tape measure, cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements.
Top-Tip:
Check that your recess is deep enough to fit the curtains into, also bearing in mind any obstructions such as handles. The depth of the recess needs to be at least 75mm.
Top-Tip:
If you have tiles part-way up the inside of your recess then measure between the tiles for your width. Do the same for picture rails and any similar obstructions inside the recess.
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