How to Fit a Slimline Bay Window Curtain Track (Step-by-Step Video Guide)
Fitting a Slimline hand-drawn bay window curtain track is straightforward once you’ve seen it done. In the video below I walk you through the process, including where to position the return brackets, how to clip the Slimline track into place, and how to make sure everything is level and secure.
This guide takes you through each step in order so you can follow along at home. With a basic DIY kit and, ideally, a second pair of hands, most people find they can get their Slimline bay track fitted quickly and confidently.
Watch the Slimline Bay Track Fitting Video
In the video above, I show the fitting process in real time so you can see how the Slimline bay track sits in relation to the window and ceiling. If you’re fitting one of these for the first time, these are the details that are easiest to understand by watching rather than reading.
Seeing how the return brackets set the track position
The video shows how the return brackets on each side of the bay act as your reference points. Once these are in place, the track naturally wants to sit in the correct position before you start fixing brackets within the bay.
What a correct “clip-in” looks and feels like
You’ll see how the Slimline track hooks onto the lip at the front of the bracket and then twists backwards until it clicks into place. That click is your confirmation that the track is seated properly before the retaining screw is tightened.
Judging the track position by eye
Watching the video makes it much easier to judge whether the track is sitting evenly in the bay. You can see how small left-to-right adjustments are made before committing to the ceiling fixings, so the gap between the track and the window looks balanced on both sides.
How ceiling fixings behave in real ceilings
The video shows the difference between fixings that bite straight into timber and those that only catch plasterboard. Seeing this helps you decide when a fixing is acceptable as it is, and when it’s worth revisiting a bracket and plugging it for extra strength.
Bracket position near bay edges
You’ll also see why brackets shouldn’t be fixed right on the lip of the plaster at the bay edge. Leaving a small amount of room back from the edge avoids cracking the plaster as the screw tightens.
The finished look with Slimline bracket covers
Because the Slimline track has a shallower profile, the video shows how the small bracket covers clip into place at the end, hiding the fixings and giving a neat, low-profile finish once everything is secured.
Watching for these details as you fit the track helps everything go together more smoothly and gives you confidence that what you’re seeing on your window matches what’s shown in the video.
Tools & Materials You’ll Need
- Drill plus 6mm masonry drill bit
- Rawl plugs & screws (included with your track)
- Tape measure
- Pencil for marking bracket positions and lines
- Step ladder
- Screwdriver
- An extra pair of hands (recommended for lifting and centring the track)
This fitting guide relates to our standard glider slimline bay window curtain track, which is custom made to match your bay and designed to be fitted in the way shown above.
If you’re still deciding which of our slimline bay track options you need, you can view full details, prices, and ordering information here:
Slimline single bay window curtain track
Slimline double bay window curtain track
Slimline wave bay window curtain track
Step-by-Step Fitting Instructions
1. Understand your Slimline bay track and returns
Your Slimline hand-drawn bay track may be supplied with returns on one or both sides of the bay. If you’ve ordered returns, you’ll be fixing brackets on the walls outside the bay as well as within the bay. If you haven’t ordered returns, you’ll just follow the steps for fitting within the bay itself.
Before fixing anything, unpack the track and check the shape against your bay so you’re happy with how it sits.
2. Mark and fit the return brackets
Start by fitting the return brackets on each side of the bay. These give you a solid fixing point at each end before you start on the brackets within the bay.
- Measure out around 13–15cm from the external corner on the return wall. For a 20cm return on the track, 15cm is usually a good bracket position (assuming there is room).
- Use the ceiling within the bay as a reference line and draw a pencil line across on the return wall, then draw another line 2cm above.
- Present the bracket so the part that sits over the screw hole lines up with the higher pencil line, then mark the two screw holes.
- Drill the holes, plug them (unless you’re lucky enough to be going straight into timber), and screw the bracket into place.
Repeat this for the return on the other side of the bay if you’ve ordered returns on both sides.
3. Clip the Slimline track into the return brackets
The Slimline track has a lip along the top front and back, and the bracket has a small lip at the front too. To clip the track into the bracket:
- Hook the front edge of the track just under the lip on the front of the bracket.
- Twist the track backwards until you hear or feel it click into place.
- Tighten the small screw underneath the bracket so the track is held securely and can’t fall out while you’re working.
Repeat this for the other side so the track is supported in both return brackets before you start fixing up into the ceiling.
4. Centre the track in the bay
With the track now clipped into the return brackets, lift it up into the bay and check the gaps:
- Check how far the track sits from the window on one side.
- Check the same distance on the other side.
- Adjust gently left or right until the gap between the track and the window is even on both sides.
Once you’re happy that the track is centred, you can start fixing the Slimline brackets up into the ceiling.
5. Fix the Slimline brackets up into the ceiling
Working along the bay:
- Drive screws straight up through each Slimline bracket into the ceiling.
- Some screws will go into timber and feel very solid straight away. Others may only go into plasterboard and feel a bit soft.
- Don’t worry at this stage — work your way around and fit all of the brackets first so the whole track is supported.
If a bracket starts to creep too close to the edge of the plaster, slide it back a little so you’re not right on the lip of the bay and avoid breaking the plaster when tightening the screw.
6. Revisit any weak fixings and plug them properly
Once all brackets are up and the track is sitting nicely in the bay, go back and check any fixings you’re not 100% happy with:
- Remove the screw from the suspect bracket.
- Slide the bracket slightly to one side so you can access the hole.
- Use a 6mm masonry drill bit to drill the hole to plug depth.
- Push a plug into the hole, slide the bracket back over it and refit the screw.
This gives you a really solid fixing even where the ceiling is just plasterboard.
7. Fit the Slimline bracket covers and final checks
Because the Slimline profile is shallower than a standard bay track, it uses neat little caps to cover the bracket and screw:
- Slide the cover over the back of each bracket once you’ve finished fixing.
- Clip it into place so the bracket and screw are hidden and everything looks neat.
Give the track a gentle pull to make sure it feels secure all the way round, then slide the gliders along to check smooth movement.
8. Hanging your curtains
Once you’re happy with the fixings and movement, you can add your curtain hooks or draw rods (if you’ve ordered them) and hang your curtains. Slide them back and forth a few times to make sure everything runs smoothly. Any little tweaks to hook positions can be done now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Slimline bay track is designed for straightforward DIY fitting. If you’re comfortable using a drill, step ladder and screwdriver, you should be fine. The video on this page shows the whole process so you know exactly what to expect before you start.
It’s possible to fit a Slimline bay track on your own, but an extra pair of hands definitely makes life easier. One person can hold one side while the other clips in and fixes brackets, especially when you’re centring the track and working along the bay.
Don’t worry. Fit all the brackets first, then go back and check each one. Any that feel like they’ve only gone into plasterboard can be improved by drilling a 6mm hole, using a plug and refitting the screw. This gives you a much stronger fixing even on plasterboard ceilings.
Yes. The Slimline bay track includes neat little covers that clip over the brackets and screws. Because the Slimline profile is shallower, these caps help everything look tidy once the track is fitted.
The Slimline track is designed for a lower-profile look where space is tighter, but it still offers smooth gliding and reliable performance when fitted correctly. If you’re unsure whether Slimline or Regular is best for your curtains, send a quick bay photo and I’ll recommend the best option for your window.
Next step: once you’ve watched the video and skimmed the FAQs, use the buttons below to get a price for your Slimline bay track or send a quick photo if you’d like me to check your window before you order.
Ready to Order Your Slimline Bay Track?
We hand-make every Slimline bay window curtain track to your exact measurements, pre-bent to match your bay shape and ready to fit. You can add returns, draw rods and other options as you place your order.