How To Measure For Curtains

MEASURING FOR CURTAINS

The track or pole should extend 20-30cm (8-12″), beyond each side of the window to enable the curtains to be drawn well back. This applies to plastic and metal tracks, as well as poles. Measure the curtain track or pole width and not the window.

MEASURING THE WIDTH AND DROP (LENGTH)

Single track: For a single track, measure the overall width from end to end.

Measure the drop from the top of the track to ensure it is hidden by the curtains

Overlapping track: For a track that overlaps in the middle, include the overlap (see diagram below). Measure the width of A + B individually and then add the two together.

A + B = total width for track

Curtain poles: Measure the width of a pole between the finials. The curtain drop is the length from the top to the bottom of the curtain. The drop will depend on where the base of the curtain is to finish, ie sill, below sill or floor and the heading style.

As a rule, measure the drop from the underside of the curtain rings to ensure the pole can be seen above the curtains. The curtain drop is the length from the top to the bottom of the curtain. The drop will depend on where the base of the curtain is to finish, ie sill, below sill or floor and the heading style.

However, this does depend on the type of curtain:

• For eyelet curtains measure from the top of the pole and add 3.5cm
• For sheer rod pocket curtains measure from the top of the pole and add 2cm
• For tab-headed curtains measure from the top of the pole. To minimise light exposure we recommend you position your pole a minimum of 15 cm above the top of the window.

Measure the correct point to:

• 1cm above the sill for sill length
• The desired length for below sill length
• 1cm above the floor for full length
  

MEASURING FOR VALANCES

For a valance the following measurements are required:

a) Total width of valance track or pelmet board, including returns (A+R+R)

b) The size of the return (R)

MEASURING FOR BLINDS

Blinds can sit either inside or outside a window recess. It’s important to decide which you want before taking your measurements.

Inside a window recess

Length: Measure from the top to the bottom of the recess.

Width: Measure the width at the top of the window recess where the blind is to be fitted. Measure the width at two other points of the recess. i.e. in the middle and at the bottom. Note the lowest measurement of the three to ensure the blind doesn’t catch when being lowered.

Outside a window recess

Length: Measure from the required position above the window down to the required length.

Width: Measure the width of the window and add approximately 5-10 cm (2 1/2cm-5cm each side) to allow sufficient overlap at each side of the window.