curtains

How to measure for Curtains

Measuring for curtains can seem daunting, but in our measuring guide we’ll explain just how easy it is!

However, before getting started, there are a few key considerations about our curtain manufacturing that you may find useful to know about first.

For example, all our curtains are made to exactly fit the width of the track they are hung from, and all our curtains sit underslung on their tracks. So, part of your track will be visible above the curtain after installation.

We recommend clicking on all of the following considerations before continuing on to the measuring guide.

Things to consider before starting...

Do I need to make any deductions?
Nope! So long as you make the correct style selections when customising your order, we'll take care of all the deductions. This includes the track height, finished position and curtain fullness.
When should I face fix?
Face fixing is where the track and brackets are mounted to the wall. Face fixing is typically used when your ceiling has a cornice providing some extra wriggle room when it comes to installation.
When should I top fix?
Top fixing is where the track and brackets are mounted from the ceiling itself. This is typically used to create a dramatic ‘floor to ceiling’ effect, which is possible when there’s no cornice to contend with. However, it is also worth noting that unlike face fixing, your fitting position is not adjustable when you top fix from the ceiling.
How much will my curtains bunch?
Bunching is an often overlooked but hugely important consideration when looking at curtaining your windows. A general rule of thumb is the bunching will be 30% of the width of your track. For example, if you have a 1000mm track, a left or right stack would have a width of 300mm on one side and a centre opening stack would have a width of 150mm on each side.
Can I hang your curtains on my existing track?
Yes, it is possible. However, we strongly recommend ordering a new track with your curtains to ensure they'll work together perfectly. If you'd really like to keep your existing track, get in touch and we'll see if we can tailor your curtain order to work with it.

Measuring your windows

A face fix curtain is where the track and brackets are mounted onto the wall. We always recommend this option if your ceiling has a cornice as it will prevent the curtain from being positioned too far away from the window.

1. Measure the width

Whenever possible, the curtain track should be a little wider than the window or doorway it’s covering. This helps ensure the curtain frames the recess and the stacking does not cover too much of the glass when drawn open.

With this in mind, we recommend adding at least 150mm and up to 300mm to the width measurement on each side of the window or door frame.

For example, if your measurement from left to right of the frame is 2500mm, your final measurement to enter when ordering would include the extra 150mm for the left side and the extra 150mm for the right, giving you 2800mm (or more if you decide to extend the track further on either side).

2. Measure the drop

We generally recommend the track be set about 150mm above the existing frame, but this is also down to personal preference.

You may want the track to sit just under the cornice to achieve a floor-to-ceiling effect. With this in mind measure where you want the top of the track to sit on the wall down to the floor.

A top fix curtain is where the track and brackets are mounted to the ceiling. This is a good option if you’re fixing within a bulkhead or your ceiling does not have a cornice. Top fixed curtains offer a more dramatic look for many spaces.

1. Measure the width

Whenever possible, the curtain track should be a little wider than the window or doorway it’s covering. This helps ensure the curtain frames the recess and the stacking does not cover too much of the glass when drawn open.

With this in mind, we recommend adding at least 150mm and up to 300mm to the width measurement on each side of the window or door frame.

For example, if your measurement from left to right of the frame is 2500mm, your final measurement to enter when ordering would include the extra 150mm for the left side and the extra 150mm for the right, giving you 2800mm (or more if you decide to extend the track further on either side).

Measure the drop

Measure from the ceiling surface to the floor. We recommend doing this in several places and recording the shortest measurement. You may want the track to sit just under the cornice to achieve a floor-to-ceiling effect. With this in mind measure where you want the top of the track to sit on the wall down to the floor.

When customising your order, you can choose the finished drop position of your curtain. We typically recommend curtains sit off the floor, but you can also select from touching the floor or puddling. No deductions are necessary on your part; we'll handle it for you!

Curtain Position
How to measure
Wall-to-wall

For wall-to-wall curtains, simply measure from the left side wall across to the right side wall. Once your order has been received, we will make a deduction from this measurement to ensure the track fits comfortably within the two-facing walls. This requirement is the same for single and double curtains.

Butting corner

This comes into play when you've got two curtains meeting at a corner, whether it's straight into the corner or around it. In this case measure the length of the track from one point, right to the corner. Once we get your order, we'll tweak those measurements to make sure the two tracks butt neatly together. We recommend reading the dedicated instructions for butting curtains for more information.

Curved Track

For tracks with a 90-degree curved section, measure each wall from its left or right side to the corner where they meet. Once we've got your order, we'll tweak those measurements a tad to ensure the track sections fit snugly and your curtain glides smoothly.