Quick Answer

For most bay windows, a hand drawn curtain track is the simpler and more practical choice. There are fewer working parts, very little to go wrong, and the curtains are simply opened and closed by hand or with a curtain draw rod.

A corded bay window curtain track is worth considering if your bay is difficult to reach, your curtains are heavy, or you prefer to open and close the curtains using cord controls at the sides of the bay.

What Is a Hand Drawn Bay Window Curtain Track?

A hand drawn curtain track is the simplest type of curtain track. You open and close the curtains by pulling them across the track by hand.

This is a very reliable setup because there are fewer components involved. There are no cords, pulleys or cord controls to think about. For many homes, that simplicity is a real advantage.

All our made to shape bay window curtain tracks have the glider channel in the bottom of the track. This allows the gliders to run smoothly along the track and around the bends, rather than hanging out of the back of the track or clipping over the top.

Why Choose a Hand Drawn Track?

• Simple and reliable everyday operation
• Fewer moving parts
• Usually lower cost than a corded track
• Easy to use with curtain draw rods
• A good choice for most bay windows

If you want a strong, straightforward track that does the job well, hand drawn is often the best choice.

Using Curtain Draw Rods with a Hand Drawn Track

Curtain draw rods are a simple way to make hand drawn curtains easier to use. Instead of pulling the curtain fabric itself, you use the draw rod to pull the leading edge of the curtain along the track.

This helps keep light coloured curtains cleaner and can also reduce the amount of pulling on the curtain heading. It also makes the curtains easier to move because you are helping the gliders travel along the track, rather than pulling the fabric and hoping the gliders follow smoothly.

What Is a Corded Bay Window Curtain Track?

A corded bay window curtain track allows you to open and close the curtains using cord controls, usually positioned at each side of the bay.

This can be useful when the bay window is difficult to reach into, when furniture is in the way, or when the curtains are heavy and you want an easier way to operate them.

Why Choose a Corded Track?

• Easier to operate if the bay is awkward to reach
• Useful for larger or deeper bay windows
• Helps reduce how much the curtain fabric is touched
• Can make heavy curtains easier to open and close
• Gives a smooth, controlled way to operate the curtains

Many customers choose corded tracks because they like the convenience. Others choose them because reaching into the bay to pull the curtains by hand would be awkward.

Why Do Corded Tracks Cost More?

Corded bay window curtain tracks are usually more expensive than hand drawn tracks because they contain additional operating components, including cords, pulleys, carriers and cord controls.

This does not mean a hand drawn track is lower quality. All our tracks are strong, reliable and designed for long-term use. The price difference is mainly based on the style of operation and the extra components needed to make the corded system work.

Important Things to Know About Corded Tracks

Modern corded curtain tracks must comply with child safety requirements. This means the cord loop needs to finish 150cm up from the floor and must be secured to the wall using the supplied metal cord tensioner.

This is different from older corded systems where long cords could hang much lower, sometimes with separate weighted handles. Those older style long hanging cords are no longer used on modern safety-compliant systems.

Because the cord controls finish higher up the wall, you will need to reach up to operate them. This is an important point to consider before choosing a corded track.

Why the Cord Tensioner Is Needed

The supplied wall-mounted tensioner keeps the cord loop safely secured and under tension. This is important for child safety, but it also helps the corded system operate properly by keeping the cords running correctly in the cord channels.

For this reason, the cord tensioner must be fitted as part of the installation.

Why Most Corded Bay Tracks Have a Control on Each Side

Almost all our corded bay window curtain tracks are supplied with a cord control on each side of the bay. This means each curtain is operated independently.

This makes opening and closing the curtains much lighter, especially with heavy curtains or bay windows with multiple bends. Instead of one cord system trying to pull both curtains around the full bay, each side works separately.

A Note for Customers with Mobility or Reach Issues

In the past, corded tracks were often seen as a good option for customers with mobility issues because the cords could hang lower and were easier to reach.

Modern child safety rules mean the cord controls now finish much higher from the floor. If reaching above shoulder height is difficult for you, a corded track may not be the easiest option.

In this situation, I would usually recommend choosing a hand drawn curtain track with longer curtain draw rods. A 100cm or 125cm draw rod can make it easier to open and close your curtains without needing to reach up to the cord controls.

Hand Drawn vs Corded: Quick Comparison

So Which Option Should You Choose?

If you want the simplest and most reliable setup, choose a hand drawn bay window curtain track. For most customers, this is the best and most practical option.

If your bay is awkward to reach, your curtains are heavy, or you simply prefer the convenience of using cord controls, a corded bay window curtain track may be the better choice.

The important thing is understanding how each option works before you order. That way, whichever track you choose, you know exactly what to expect.