Choosing the right curtain stack

There is quite a bit to think about when choosing your curtain stack. One of the most important is choosing the right track length for your curtains, to keep natural light flowing into your room and clear window views. So, here are a few tips to help you select the perfect stack and how to measure for it.

So, what exactly is a curtain stack and stack-back?

For those of you who are unsure about what a stack is, we can tell you it’s not a large chunk of cash. In the curtain world, a stack is the point where the curtain is fixed at one end of the track to prevent the fabric from sliding around.

A curtain stack-back refers to the amount of space your curtains take up when they’re open and stacked to one or both sides of the window. With the right stack-back, you can keep your window area clear when the curtains are fully opened.

Now, time to choose your stack

We offer several stacking options to choose from, fixed left or right, centre opening, free hanging, and centre opening/free hanging. Now, most of these make complete sense, but what is free hanging? Well, it’s where we don’t fix the curtain to the end of the track, allowing you to slide the fabric to either side of the track. Centre opening, free hanging stacking is similar to centre opening but offers extra flexibility as both sections of curtain can be stacked together (or separately) at either end of the track.

Next, let’s calculate your stack-back

The stack-back (or bunching) is an important factor often overlooked when looking at curtaining your windows. A general rule of thumb is the stack-back 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 and a centre stack would have a width of 150mm.

Side stack: W x 0.3 = Stack

Centre stack: W x 0.3 / 2 = Stack

Remember to examine your windows or doors

When selecting a stack for a door, the best rule to follow is opposites attract. If a door is on the right put your stack on the left. This prevents the fabric from getting tangled with the entry.

But what happens when you have a stunning view and don’t want your new curtains to cover it up? Don’t worry, disaster hasn’t struck just yet!

If you have space on either side of your window you can simply extend the width of your track, this way the bunching won’t cover as much of the window.

If you don’t have additional space around the window, we would suggest looking into tiebacks for your curtains. This will pull the curtain back further allowing more of your view to come through. Not only does it add a touch of classical styling, but it also allows you to add an element of personality to the curtains – perfect for any budding decorator.

Keep these points in mind when choosing your stack:

• Order a wider track, for more space when the curtains are open.
• Pick a full header style, such as triple pinch pleats, to increase the stack-back.
• Make sure nothing like furniture or doors are in the way of your curtains when they're fully open.
• For a fancy, hotel-like look, you can slightly increase the curtain stack beyond what's required.

Let us know if you need any help

Ultimately, the right stacking for your curtains comes down to your personal style and preferences. If you need some guidance, contact us today on 1300 301 368 or email us and we’d be happy to answer your queries