How to Measure Wave Curtains for a Bay Window Track
Planning new wave curtains for your bay window? I’ll show you how to work out the curtain widths you’ll need for one of our Ezecurtains wave tracks.
You can use the calculator below to estimate your finished curtain widths, get prices from curtain suppliers and plan your budget before ordering.
And don’t worry about getting everything exact just yet. If you’re ordering one of our wave bay tracks, I’ll confirm your final curtain widths once your track has been made.
Wave curtains create soft, even folds across the track.
Calculate Your Wave Curtain Width
Wave curtains need the right amount of fabric to create those lovely, evenly spaced folds. Too little fabric and the waves look stretched. Too much and they can become bulky.
Our calculator helps you estimate the correct finished curtain width for the 6cm and 8cm wave glider systems we supply.
How Does the Calculator Work?
There are two ways to work out the width of your wave curtains. The calculator does the maths for you, but here’s a little explanation of how each method works.
Method 1: Using Your Track Length
This is the easiest option if you’re planning new wave curtains and know the overall length of your track.
Simply enter your track length and choose either 6cm or 8cm wave glider spacing. The calculator will estimate the finished curtain width you’ll need.
For example, with a 330cm track and 8cm wave gliders, a useful guide is approximately 2.1 times the track length:
330cm × 2.1 = 693cm total finished curtain width
For a pair of curtains, that’s approximately 346.5cm per curtain.
With 6cm wave gliders, more fabric is generally needed because there are more waves along the track. The calculator takes your selected spacing into account.
Method 2: Using the Number of Wave Gliders
If you already have one of our wave tracks, you can use the number of gliders to work out the finished curtain width.
Count the gliders on one side of the track, then enter that number into the calculator.
This method uses the number of gliders to calculate the fabric width needed for the wave spacing, including the allowances required at the curtain edges.
It’s a useful way to check curtain widths when the track and its glider arrangement are already known.
What’s the Difference Between 6cm and 8cm Wave Gliders?
Both create the regular, flowing folds that make wave curtains so attractive. The difference is the distance between the gliders along the track.
- 8cm spacing: Fewer waves along the track, with a little more distance between each fold.
- 6cm spacing: More waves along the same length of track, so more curtain fabric is generally needed.
That’s why it’s important to select the correct glider spacing when using the calculator. The same track length can require different finished curtain widths.
How to Measure the Drop for Your Wave Curtains
Once you’ve worked out the curtain width, the next measurement is the drop — how long your finished curtains need to be.
For Our Ceiling-Fitted Wave Bay Tracks
- Measure from the ceiling down to the floor.
- Take measurements in several places around your bay.
- Use the shortest measurement.
- Deduct approximately 2.5cm to 4cm to allow the curtains to hang beneath the track and finish neatly above the floor.
These allowances are based on the wave bay window curtain tracks we supply .
The exact drop can also depend on the curtain heading and how you want the curtains to finish above the floor. Check the final measurement with your curtain maker before placing your curtain order.
Don’t Order Your Curtains Too Early
One of the advantages of ordering a made-to-measure wave bay track from us is that you don’t have to work out every measurement yourself before getting started.
You only need the overall track length to get a price and place your track order. I’ll collect and check your detailed bay measurements afterwards.
The calculator is ideal for getting curtain prices and planning your budget. But I recommend waiting until we’ve made your wave bay track and confirmed the exact finished curtain widths before ordering your made-to-measure curtains.
That way, you can be confident your new curtains will be the right width for your finished track.
Need Help Choosing a Wave Bay Window Track?
If you’re still deciding which curtain track will work best in your bay window, our Curtain Track Finder can help you narrow down the options.
Or, if your bay window is an awkward shape, send me a couple of photos and I’ll help you choose a suitable track from the range we supply.
