Where Should I Fix a Curtain Track in a Bay Window?

If you have a bay window with very little space above the window, it can be difficult to know where the curtain track should be fixed.

This is especially common in bay windows with coving, deep window trim, or replacement windows where the architrave runs right up to the ceiling.

In this real customer example, Kim had a three-sided splay bay window and wanted to replace an old curtain pole with a made-to-measure curtain track.

Kim’s Question

“We’ve recently replaced our windows and want to swap our old curtain pole for a track. The problem is that the top of the window trim butts right up to the ceiling, so there’s no wall space above the window.

I don’t think the ceiling will work either, as our curtains were made to hang from a pole, so they’d be too short if fixed higher. Should I attach the track to the architrave instead?”

The Main Problem

Kim’s bay had three things to consider:

• The bay was a three-sided splay bay window.
• There was coving running around the top of the room.
• The window trim reached right up to the ceiling, leaving no wall space above the window.

On top of that, the curtains had already been made to fit the height of the old pole. So fixing the new track higher on the ceiling would have made the curtains too short.

The Best Place to Fix the Track

In this situation, the best solution was to fix the track directly to the wooden architrave at the top of the window.

This kept the curtain height almost the same as before, avoided the coving, and gave a neat fixing position for the new track.

For the neatest finish, the top edge of the curtain track can usually be lined up with the top edge of the window trim.

Why Ceiling Fixing Wasn’t the Best Option

Ceiling fixing can work really well in many bay windows, especially when there is no suitable wall fixing space.

However, in Kim’s case it would have moved the curtain track higher than the old pole. Because the curtains were already made, they would no longer have reached the correct length.

This is why the highest fixing position is not always the best fixing position. The track needs to be fitted where the curtains will hang correctly.

How Far Should the Track Extend Past the Window?

If you have enough space at each side of the bay, it is usually worth allowing the track to extend past the window by around 20cm on each side.

This gives the curtains somewhere to stack back when they are open, helping to keep more of the glass clear.

In a three-sided splay bay, this can make a big difference to how the curtains look and how much light comes into the room during the day.

Dealing With the Gap at the Ends

There was one small issue with extending the track past the window trim.

Once the track continued beyond the architrave, the last bracket on each side no longer sat directly against the window trim. This meant there could be a small gap of around 2cm to 3cm between the bracket and the wall.

The simple solution is to use spacers behind those end brackets.

These can be purpose-made plastic spacers, or a small block of wood with a screw hole drilled through it. You then use a slightly longer screw, passing it through the bracket and spacer before fixing into the wall.

Once the curtains are hanging, the spacers are usually hidden behind the fabric.

Do You Always Need Spacers?

No, not always.

If your curtains are not especially heavy, the track may be strong enough to support itself where it extends slightly past the window trim.

My usual advice is to fit the track first and check how solid it feels:

• Fit the track as normal.
• Hang the curtains.
• Check whether the track feels firm at each end.
• If it feels solid, you may not need any extra support.
• If the ends need more support, add extra brackets with spacers behind them.

This means you only add spacers if they are actually needed.

Kim’s Finished Bay Window

After fitting the new bay window curtain track, Kim kindly sent us this update:

“The curtain track is up and looks great. The curtains are up and they look fantastic. Thank you so much for the track and your help and advice. What a great product and service.”

She also sent photos of the finished bay, showing how neat the track looked once fitted to the architrave and hidden behind the curtains.

Lee’s Advice

If your bay window has coving, deep trim, or no wall space above the window, don’t assume ceiling fixing is your only option.

In many cases, fixing the curtain track directly to a solid wooden architrave can be the most practical solution, especially if your curtains have already been made to a specific drop.

The aim is always the same: fit the track where the curtains will hang properly, operate smoothly, and look right once everything is in place.

Need Help With Your Own Bay Window?

If you’re not sure where your curtain track should be fitted, you’re welcome to send us a photo of your bay window.

We can take a look and advise whether wall fixing, ceiling fixing, architrave fixing, or a simple spacer solution is likely to work best.