Which Curved Bay Shape Do You Have?

We describe most curved bays by the number of individual window sections that make up the curved part of the bay.

So if your curved bay has 5 windows, for example, you will normally be looking for our Curved 5 Sided Bay (5 windows) template on the order form.

The curved bay shapes you will see include:

• Curved 4 Sided Bay — 4 windows
• Curved 5 Sided Bay — 5 windows
• Curved 6 Sided Bay — 6 windows
• Curved 7 Sided Bay — 7 windows
• Curved 7 Sided Bay — 5 windows + 2 side walls
• Curved 9 Sided Bay — 9 windows

Does the Number of Windows Change How a Curved Bay Track Works?

In most cases, no.

Whether your curved bay has 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9 windows, the basic principle is much the same. The individual window sections help us map the shape of your bay accurately, and the finished curtain track will normally be formed into a smooth flowing curve.

This also means we do not need a completely different curtain track just because your bay has more windows. What matters is that we have the correct measurements and understand the shape those windows create.

There are, however, a few bay shapes where simply counting the windows does not tell the whole story.

What Is a Curved Bay Window?

From across the room, many bay windows look like one continuous curve.

In reality, most are made from several shorter window sections joined together at shallow angles.

You may have a 4 sided, 5 sided, 6 sided, 7 sided or 9 sided curved bay, but visually the window can still appear to form one smooth curve.

This is why we describe these windows by the number of sections when you order, even though the finished track itself will normally be shaped much more smoothly.

Why Do We Ask You to Measure the Individual Sides?

For most curved bays, we ask you to measure the window as a multi-sided shape rather than trying to measure one long curve.

Each individual side tells us something about how the bay has been constructed and where the shape gradually changes.

These measurements allow us to understand the overall geometry of your bay before the curtain track is made.

Our measuring templates guide you through each size step by step, so you do not need to calculate any angles yourself.

Why Is the Finished Track Normally Made as a Smooth Curve?

Although the bay is measured as several separate sections, we do not normally reproduce every small angle in the finished curtain track.

Instead, we usually form the track into one smooth flowing curve that follows the overall shape of your window.

This gives the gliders a smoother route around the bay and helps your curtains open and close with less resistance.

It also gives a much neater finished appearance than creating a series of unnecessary shallow bends.

Most Curved Bay Windows Are Not Part of a Perfect Circle

It is easy to imagine that a curved bay window is simply part of one perfect circle, but that is rarely how these windows are actually built.

In many bays, the middle section is more strongly curved while the sections towards each side become progressively flatter.

This means one radius or one simple curved measurement does not always describe the true shape of the bay particularly well.

Why We Prefer to Measure Curved Bays in Sections

Rather than asking you to measure one long curve around the bay, our method breaks the window down into several shorter and easier measurements.

This gives us more information about the real shape of the window and avoids assuming the whole bay follows one perfect circular curve.

The individual measurements are generally shorter and easier to take, while the alternative method can require two people and an awkward bay-depth measurement through the middle of the window.

Once we have your measurements, we can use them to create the smooth finished track that follows the shape of your bay properly.

Are There Other Track Options for a Curved Bay?

The Regular Bay Track is the option we recommend for most standard hand-drawn curtains, but other made-to-measure tracks are available where you need a different style or method of operation.

If you would prefer a narrower and more discreet profile, you may wish to consider our Slimline Bay Track .

If you are planning to hang Wave curtains, you will need one of our Wave Bay Window Curtain Tracks .

If you would rather open and close your curtains using a cord, our Corded Bay Window Curtain Track may be the better choice.

No Extra Charge for a More Complicated Curved Bay Shape

A curved bay may have four, five, seven or even more individual sections, but we do not charge an additional amount for every bend.

You simply pay for the overall length of your chosen curtain track.

This means a more complicated curved bay does not automatically become much more expensive simply because it contains more sections.

Made to Fit Your Individual Curved Bay

Every curved bay window is slightly different.

We use the measurements you provide to understand the shape of your individual bay and manufacture the curtain track to suit it.

Your measurements are checked before manufacturing begins, and our measuring videos and templates guide you through each stage.

Your finished track is covered by our 10-year guarantee. If it does not fit because a measurement was entered incorrectly, we will also remake it free of charge.