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.
S-Fold Curtains
Measuring for your S-Fold 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.
Face Fitting (Recommended)
Measuring for an Architrave
This is the measurement you'll need to take if you want to fit the curtains to your window's architrave. In this case we will make the curtains to your specified size with no deductions.
Measure the width from the outer edge of the architrave to the opposite edge.
Measure the drop from the top of the architrave to where you want the curtains to finish.
Measuring for Square Set
This is the measurement you need to take if you want your S-Fold curtains to fit outside a window recess with no architrave, 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 S-Fold curtains to overlap. To minimize light leakage we recommend that you overlap the window recess by at least 150mm at the top and 150-200mm 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
Face 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 S-Fold curtains the same size overall (we will send the track with your S-Fold Fold curtains, so the track will be included in the size). Please note that the spacing between folds on our S-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 S-Fold 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.
Standard Windows
Measuring the correct curtain width
Measure the curtain track or pole width, not the window. If fitting a new track or pole, this should extend 150mm to 200mm either side of the window and at least 150mm above. Pinch pleat curtains have permanent sewn-in pleats; this means that you will be unable to adjust the width of the curtain once it's made. It's important therefore that you are accurate when measuring the width of the track or pole.
Curtain poles
For a curtain pole simply measure the width of the pole between any finials or end caps, that is your correct curtain width.
Curtain tracks
For a standard curtain track simply measure the full width of the track, that is your correct curtain width.
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 your correct curtain width.
Measuring the correct curtain drop
Curtains can be hung either to the floor, to a sill or to below the sill. We suggest that curtains finish either;
- 15mm above the floor
- 150-200mm below the sill
- 15mm above the sill
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 30mm 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.