Accurately measuring for curtains is a must if you want to get the right fit, whether you're shopping for easy-fit ready-made curtains or commissioning made to measure. Curtain width measurements will depend on the length of your curtain track or pole, but measuring curtain length or 'drop' will be determined by where you'd like your drapes to end. Use a metal tape measure for better accuracy and follow our guide on how to measure for curtains to get those dimensions right! Measuring a curtain track or pole If you don't already have your track or pole in place, we recommend fitting one before you measure. To fit correctly measure the width of the window plus 30/40cm (12-16"), this will ensure your curtains will comfortably cover your window. Fit your track or pole approximately 15cm (6") above your window recess and centre ensuring you have 15-20cm (6-8") either side of the window. 1. Measure your track or pole For the best performance, your curtain track or pole should be positioned approximately 15cm (6") higher than the window, and be wider than your window by 15-20cm (6-8") either side.

Measure its full length, end to end. Measure the pole length, not including the finials (the decorative pieces on the end). 2. Calculate your curtain width To get a soft gathered look when your curtains are closed, use your pole or track measurements as a starting point and multiply it as follows (depending on your chosen curtain type): Pencil PleatPole or track width x 2 EyeletPole or track width x 2 Tab TopPole or track width x 1.5 Multiplying the width - If you use the pole or track measurements as they are, your curtains will cover the width but the fabric will appear flattened across the window. 3. Add another 2.5cm (1") Adding an extra 2.5cm (1") to the width measurement will allow your curtains to overlap in the middle when closed. 1. Decide where your curtains will end End 1.25cm (1/2") above the windowsill End 15cm (6") below the windowsill End 1.25cm (1/2") above the floor Radiator below your window? Curtains should end 3cm (1 ½ ") above the radiator to allow the heat to circulate into the room rather than rising up behind your curtains.

2. Measure the drop Depending on your choice of fitting and curtain type, measure as follows: Measure from the top of the track to your chosen end point. Measure from the top of the pole to your chosen end point. Exceptions to this rule: If you intend to hang pencil pleat curtains from your pole, and want to make a feature of the pole, measure from the eye of the curtain ring. 3. Things to remember Measure at multiple points Windowsills and floors are not always level, so measure at 2 or 3 points and use the smallest measurement to ensure the best fit. Our pencil pleat curtains come with either a 3" or 6" header tape. Header tapes offer 3 or more rows on which to attach your hooks. Where your curtains stop will be impacted by the row you choose to hang your curtain hooks from. This allows some flexibility if your want to give the appearance of more length, without letting the hems down. Buying curtains at Dunelm Our curtains all follow 'width x drop' sizing to make it easier to find your favourite drapes in the size you need.

Dunelm's ready-made curtains are sold in pairs. The size given refers to each individual curtain, so if you buy a pair of curtains measuring 117cm x 137cm (46" x 54") you will receive two curtains each with the same measurement of width 117cm x length 137cm (width 46" x length 54"). Eyelets headers have metal rings (eyelets) inserted at evenly spaced intervals across the top of the curtain to create a softer fold with larger pleats.made to measure curtains tunbridge wells Eyelet curtains can only be used on a curtain pole.pink blackout curtains argos Pencil pleat curtains are tightly gathered at the header to give a close pleating and a more classic look.curtains kununurra

Dunelm’s pencil pleat curtains have a 3-inch or 6-inch heading tape depth. Pencil pleat curtains can be fitted onto either a pole or track. Curtain gliders are required to hang them from a curtain track. Shop Pencil Pleat Curtains Slot top curtain headers have loops of fabric evenly distributed along the top of the curtain, through which you can feed a curtain pole.curtains ls28 Slot top curtains can only be used with a pole.curtains orewa Shop Slot Top Curtainsamori curtainsCurtain tracks buying guidemegadeth black curtains guitar tab The right curtain track, correctly fitted, will make a big difference to the hang of your curtains and the whole look of your room.

We stock a wide selection of curtain tracks and accessories, and you can also order custom-made tracks from Silent Gliss in our shops. If you'd prefer to use a curtain pole, take a look at our buying guide and shop here. Make sure that the track you choose is suitable for the weight of the curtains you're using. We sell two types of track online: PVC is inexpensive, flexible and suitable for light and medium weight curtains, but a corded option isn't available with this type of track, so you can't open your curtains via a pull cord and will need to handle the fabric itself to open and close them. Aluminium is more expensive but stronger and more durable, as well as being bendable. It's also suitable for light and medium weight fabric and gives you smoother drawing curtains. Corded and uncorded options are available with this type of track. Two other types of track are available in our shops: Steel is suitable for heavy weight curtains. This type of track is always corded, but not bendable for bay windows.

Heavy duty aluminium can be made to exact lengths and can be ordered ready bent. Corded tracks are threaded with nylon cord at the back which connects to a system of gliders and pulleys. You open and close the curtains by using a pull-cord, without having to handle the curtain, protecting more delicate fabrics from damage. Corded tracks are also useful for heavy curtains or tall or tricky to access windows, making drawing your curtains easier. Corded tracks over 3m (9'10") in length will have cords at both ends rather than just one (see diagram). Outside recesses When measuring, allow a minimum of 15cm (6") each side of the window to let in the maximum amount of daylight. For very full curtains allow even greater width. Again, PVC and aluminium tracks can be cut to fit. Heavy duty aluminium tracks can be ordered in exact lengths from our shops. An extendable steel track can be used where you're unsure of the exact measurements. Narrow windows can be made to appear wider by extending the track on either size (see diagram).

To fit a curtain track inside a recess, the overall length of the track should be slightly shorter than the actual width of the recess. Standard size PVC or slim aluminium tracks can be cut to fit using a hacksaw. When measuring, allow for bends. The gentler the bend, the more smoothly your curtains will run. Most PVC or aluminium track can be bent to fit. If the track is heavy duty aluminium you'll need to order it ready bent – just fill in one of our measurement forms in store and we’ll do the rest. We can also supply and fit the track if your bay has several bends, or if you're unsure about measuring tracks yourself. Please visit one of our shops for details. PVC tracks are easy to cut with a hacksaw. When bending, work with care and make sure the track is at room temperature. Follow the pack instructions which will tell you the angle of bend you can achieve. Aluminium tracks are also easy to cut with a hacksaw. Aluminium can be made into tighter bends but work carefully since once bent, an aluminium track will not spring back.

Follow the pack instructions and bend in stages, checking the angle of the bend regularly against the shape of the window. Steel tracks are best for heavy curtains, but they cannot be bent. You may want to consider curtain poles joined by a flexible connector instead. Tracks should be ordered cut to length or cut by professional fitters. Some can be bent outwards as well as inwards, while others cannot be bent so check with an assistant before you order. Tracks can be bent to your own measurements or our professional fitters will bend them as part of our fitting service. Brackets: Most tracks come with universal brackets that can be fixed either to the wall or ceiling. Wall fixing: Fix the track to a wooden batten above the window frame, or fix to brickwork using long screws and rawlplugs. Ceiling fixing: Attach track to ceiling joists or, if joists are not in the right positions, to a wooden batten. We have a range of accessories to fit, fix and maintain curtain tracks: