Buying Guide
5 Sided Bay Window Curtain Track
Yes, we make made-to-measure curtain tracks for 5 sided bay windows.
A typical 5 sided bay has three windows — one in the middle and two sloping side windows — plus two narrower wall sections facing each other within the bay.
There is one important thing to check before ordering though. Some 1930s bay windows look like 5 sided bays above the window sill, but the shape changes below it. This can affect which track shape you need, particularly if you want floor length curtains.
A typical 5 sided bay has three windows with two narrower wall sections at the sides
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10-Year Guarantee
Free remake if it doesn’t fit — even if mis-measured
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Video Measuring Guides
Short step-by-steps so you know it’s right
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No Charge Per Bend
You pay for length only — big savings on multi-bend bays
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Fast UK Delivery
Recyclable, eco-friendly packaging as standard
What Is a 5 Sided Bay Window?
A typical 5 sided bay window has three glazed sections: one window across the middle and two windows sloping back towards the room.
The remaining two sides are usually narrow wall sections positioned between the side windows and the main room walls.
These two narrow walls often face each other and may be approximately parallel, although every bay is slightly different.
There Are Two Bay Shapes Commonly Called 5 Sided Bays
This is where it is worth checking your window carefully.
There is the true 5 sided bay window, and there is another very common bay — particularly in 1930s properties — that looks like a 5 sided bay above the window sill but has a different shape underneath.
The two diagrams below show the difference.
A True 5 Sided Bay Window
With a true 5 sided bay, the shape you see around the windows normally continues all the way down below the window sill.
In other words, the walls underneath the sill also form the same five-sided shape.
These bays are particularly common in Victorian and Edwardian properties.
A made-to-measure curtain track can follow this complete bay shape, with the track prepared to the measurements and angles of your individual window.
The 1930s Bay That Looks 5 Sided
Many 1930s bay windows look almost identical to a true 5 sided bay when you only look at the area above the window sill.
You still normally have three windows and the two narrower wall sections at the sides.
The important difference appears below the sill.
Instead of continuing as five sides, the lower part of the bay usually has only three main walls — a centre wall and two sloping side walls that meet the main walls of the room.
This matters because the curtain length you choose can change the shape of track you should order.
If You Want Curtains Finishing at the Window Sill
If your curtains will finish around the top of the window sill, you can normally treat this type of window as a 5 sided bay.
The curtain track can follow the five sections above the sill, including the two narrow side walls.
When the curtains are open, they can then stack neatly against those narrow wall sections at each side of the bay.
If You Want Floor Length Curtains
If you want long or floor length curtains, the track normally needs to follow the shape of the bay below the window sill instead.
We call this a splay bay with returns.
The track follows the front edge of the window sill across the three main sections and then turns out of the bay on each side.
These returns help close the gaps at the sides when the curtains are closed.
They also allow the open curtains to stack away from the three windows rather than bunching up inside the bay.
Don’t Worry Too Much About What Your Bay Is Called
Bay window terminology can sometimes make something fairly simple sound more complicated than it really is.
The important thing is not whether your window is technically called a 5 sided bay or a 1930s splay bay.
What matters is choosing a track shape that follows the right part of the window and allows your curtains to hang properly.
Which Track Do We Recommend for a 5 Sided Bay Window?
For most standard hand-drawn curtains, we recommend our Regular Bay Track.
It can be manufactured to suit both true 5 sided bays and the splay bay with returns arrangement used for many 1930s windows.
It gives smooth everyday operation around the bends, is suitable for most domestic curtain weights and is also our lowest-priced bay track option.
Are There Other Track Options?
The Regular Bay Track is the option we recommend for most hand-drawn curtains, but other tracks are available where you need something different.
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 the curtains using a control cord, our Corded Bay Window Curtain Track may be the better choice.
Made to Fit Your Individual Bay
Every 5 sided bay is slightly different, so your curtain track is made to the measurements and shape of your individual window.
The bends are formed in the correct positions and at the right angles before your track leaves our workshop.
Our measuring guides help you collect the sizes we need, and your measurements are checked before manufacturing begins.
You only pay for the overall track length. We do not add an additional charge for every bend.
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.
Still Not Sure Which Bay Shape You Have?
If you are looking at your window and still aren’t sure whether it is a true 5 sided bay or the 1930s version, feel free to ask us a question.
Add a photo if it helps and tell us whether you are planning sill length or floor length curtains. We will help point you towards the correct track shape.
