How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track

Where to measure your bay window?

The big thing to remember is that you are giving us the sizes we need to draw out your bay window. NOT the curtain track position. You will need to send us your final bay sizes using the form you will receive in the "order confirmation email". This ensures we collect all the info we need to complete your order correctly. Or you can use the links under each image to go straight to the final measuring page for that bay shape (assuming you have already placed your order!). Then simply complete the form and send it over to us using the button at the bottom.

Once we have your bay drawn out on the workbench. We then decide on the final position for the curtain track. This will be decided mainly by how your curtains are going to hang. Such as either down to meet the window sill. Or hanging in front of the window sill and maybe down to the floor. (You will be giving us this info on the final sizes form.)

Also, the curtain track brackets will influence the position of the curtain track. Especially if the bay window curtain track is returning out of the bay into the room on each side. This again is especially true if the track returns out of the bay are going to be supported using wall fixed curtain brackets.

So for more detailed info on how to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track. Check out the images and guides below.

Splay bay windows (3 sides)

How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track. This splay bay window is the most common bay shape in the UK. It is also the simplest to measure for a bay window curtain track. This one is having a ceiling fixed curtain track. Also the curtains are going to hang in front and past the window sill.

The best place to measure this  bay window where the sill finishes before the corner of the bay. Is just under the window sill. Take all your width measurements from under the sill. Then in the "addional info" box on the measuring form. Let us know how much the sill sticks out from the wall. We will then make sure the track fits to the ceiling just in front of the sill.

Simply measure the widths of A to B, B to C and C to D. In this example you would measure these across the wall under the window sill. 

Then measure across the bay from point  A to point B. This will be from the wall corner on one side to the other wall corner. 

Finally, you will measure the diagonals. Point A to point C and point D to point B. These will be measure from the corners within the bay just under the window sill.Then back to the opposite outside bay corner.

You will also need to let us know how much the window sill sticks out from the wall. We can then factor this in when positioning the curtin track.

 If you have already placed your order for a ceiling fixed splay bay track. Then you can use the buttons below to access the final measuring pages just below

Splay bay window with returns

How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track. This splay bay window with returns is a very common bay window shape. It is also very simple to measure for a custom made bay window curtain track. The curtain track is going to be ceiling fixed within the bay. Then wall fixed on the returns out of the bay on each side.  The curtains are going to hang in front of and past the window sill. Maybe even down to the floor. The track shape also allows the curtains to hang more off the side windows when open.

When measuring your bay for curtains hanging in front of the window sill. Take all your sizes from the front edges (room side) of the window sills. So that is for widths B to C, C to D, D to E.

Then for the widths of the returns on each side of the bay. A to B and E to F. Measure around 20cm out on each side. Also add in for the little ends of the window sills. Also, on the returns we need to know how much the window sill sticks out from the wall. Not how wide but how much sticking out into the room.

Next measure straight across the bay from point B to point E. This from the corner of the sill on one side to the corner of the sill on the other side. DON'T measure across wall to wall. 

Finally, measure the diagonals from points B to D and points E to C. This will allow us to work out the angles of the bay.

If you have already placed your order for a ceiling fixed splay bay with returns track. Then you can use the buttons below to access the final measuring pages just below

Square bay window (3 sides)

How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track. Here we have a square bay window that is having a ceiling fixed curtain track. The curtains are ging to hang down to meet the window sill. The previous track was fitred to the frames and walls. Not a good look at all. So far neater to be ceiling fixed.

This bay is being measured from the window sill level. this makes life so much easier than trying to reach up the the ceiling. If you notice the width from A to D between the side walls within the bay. Will be a little shorter than the width of points B to C. This is because the window frames on the back and sides are set back a little from the side walls.

However, still give us the true widths for both. We will then allow for this when drawing out your bay shape.

When it come to measuring the sides of the bay points A to B and points C to D. Measure from right up to the window trame at points B and C. Then measure right across to the corners of the bay at points A and D. 

Finally, when measuring the diagonal sizes. Measure right into the bay corners points B and C. Diagonally back to points A and D (outside corners of the bay). 

DON'T make any allowances for the track position. As we do that afrer drawing out your bay shape.

If you have already placed your order for a ceiling fixed sqaure bay track. Then you can use the buttons below to access the final measuring pages just below

Square bay window with returns

How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track. This square bay with returns bay shape is being measured for floor length curtains. So all the sizes are measured across the front edges room side) of the window sills. The returns on each side are measure across the ends of the window sills and around 20cm over the wall on each side.

This track is going to be ceiling fixed in the bay. Then wall fixed on the returns out of the bay on each side.

So the first sizes to be measured are the 3 sides within the bay. Across the front edges of the window sill. A to B, B to C and C to D.

Next size will be point B to point E across the front of the bay. This is from the corner of the window sill to the opposite sill corner.

Next is measuring the diagonal sizes. So from points B to D and points E to C. Again both points from the front edges of the window sills. In reality the bends should be close to 90 dgrees. However it is not always the case.

Finally, measuring the widths of the returns on each side of the bay. Points A to B and Points E to F.  Measure from the corner of the window sill out across the return sill (if you have one) and across the wall by around 20cm.

If you have already placed your order for a ceiling fixed square bay track with returns. Then you can use the buttons below to access the final measuring pages just below

5 Sided bay window

How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track. On this bay window the curtains are hanging down to meet the window sill. So the curtain track is going to follow the 3 windows. Then continue on to the walls within the bay on each side. So this makes it a 5 sided bay window for the pupose of measuring. This track is also going to be completely ceiling fixed. This is the simplest way to fit and look the best when done.

All the edge width sizes are measured tight up against the walls and the top of the window frames. Don't make any allowances for the track position or brackets. We do that for you as we need the true bay size

So you will be measuring the widths across points A to B, B to C, Cto D, E to F.

Next you will be measuring straight across the bay from points A to F and points B to E.

Finally you will measure the diagonal sizes from points B to D and points E to C. These diagonal sizes allow us to work out the angle of the bends in the bay.

With curtains hanging in this position down to the sill. We recommend the track is positioned 5cm within the sizes you give us. So effectively the track is 5cm away from the windows. This has 3 benefits and firstly it means the curtains hang off the windows. Secondly it means the curtains don't catch on the window handes when opening and closing.

On the ends of the track along the side walls. we recommend the track is set 3cm off the side walls. This gives enough room for you to get behind the track to fit. But not too much gap behind.

If you have already placed your order for a ceiling fixed 5 sided bay track. Then you can use the buttons below to access the final measuring pages just below

5 Sided bay window with returns

How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track. On this bay window the curtains are hanging in front of and past the window sill. They are also returning out of the bay on each side. So the curtain track is going to follow the 5 sides of the window sill within the bay. Then continue round the ends of the sills and on to the walls on each side of the bay. So this makes it a 5 sided bay window with returns for the pupose of measuring. This track is also going to be ceiling fixed within the bay. Then wall fixed on the returns out of the bay.

So you will be measuring the widths within the bay across the front edges (room side) of the sills.  Points B to C, C to D, D to E, E to F and F to G.Next you will be measuring straight across the bay from points B  to G and points C to F.

Finally you will measure the diagonal sizes from points C to E and points F to D. These diagonal sizes allow us to work out the angle of the bends in the bay.

On the returns we recommend you measure the end width of the window sill. Then add around 20cm of wall past the sill to this size. So on a similar bay as this the return sizes would be about 40cm.

If you have already placed your order for a ceiling fixed 5 sided bay track with returns. Then you can use the buttons below to access the final measuring pages just below

Curved bay window

How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track. This curved bay window is having a curtain track fitted just within the bay only. It is also going to be ceiling fixed to the bay ceiling. The curtains are going to hang in front of and past the window sill.

You only need 3 main sizes for this bay shape. 

Measure from points A to C following the front edge of the curved window sill. 

Next measure straight across the bay from point A to point C. You will need 2 people to be accurate. One holding the tape end and the other relling out the tape and taking the size.

Now the final size is from point D to point B. This should be from the centre of the bay. Point B is where the tape touches the front edge (room side) of the sill. Now I'm sure you are thinking how do we work out where point D is?

You have 2 options to work out the position of point D. The first is to use a solid straight edge. Such as a piece of timber if available. Basically anything that will span across the window sill on one side to the other. 

Or you can use a second tape measure. Reel it out across the bay and lock it in position on one side. At the other end put smething with a little weight on to hold it in place. Making sure the edge of the tape measure lines up with the front edges of the window sill ends. 

Now you can measure point from the room side edge of the tape or timber. Back to the front edge of the window sill.This will give you the size needed for the D to B width.

If you have already placed your order for a ceiling fixed curved bay track. Then you can use the buttons below to access the final measuring pages just below

Curved bay window with returns

How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track. This curved bay window is very simple to measure. In this example the curtains are going to hang in front of the window sill. Also to hang out of the bay on each side.

The ceiling in the bay is at the same level as the ceiling in the room. So this means this bay window curtain track is going to be ceiling fixed all the way from end to end.

You only need 3 main sizes plus the returns out on each side for this bay shape. As a rule of thumb I recommend the returns (A to B & D to E) on most bays are 20cm. That is 20 cm from the corner wall to where the track will end. You will probably need to add a little more for the end of the window sill to get the total return sizes.

Then measure from A to D following the front edge of the curved window sill. Don't include the little bits of the sill ends. They are added into the return sizes mentioned before.

Next measure straight across the bay from point B to point D. You will need 2 people to be accurate. One holding the tape end and the other relling out the tape and taking the size.

Now the final size is from point F to point C. This should be from the centre of the bay. Point C is where the tape touches the front edge (room side) of the sill. Now I'm sure you are thinking how do we work out where point F is?

You have 2 options to work out the position of point F. The first is to use a solid straight edge. Such as a piece of timber if available. Basically anything that will span across the window sill on one side to the other. 

Or you can use a second tape measure. Reel it out across the bay and lock it in position on one side. At the other end put smething with a little weight on to hold it in place. Making sure the edge of the tape measure lines up with the front edges of the window sill ends. 

Now you can measure point from the room side edge of the tape or timber. Back to the front edge of the window sill.This will give you the size needed for the F to C width.

If you have already placed your order for a ceiling fixed curved bay track with returns. Then you can use the buttons below to access the final measuring pages just below

How to measure for a ceiling fixed bay track.
Still can't see your bay window shape?

Then send us a photo of your bay window. Also, a quick note on how you would like your curtains to hang. I will then add the photo and some guide notes to this page. It will not only help you, but also other with the same bay window style. We won't add any personal details. Then we will email you with a direct link to the image and guide.

On all the bay track calculators is a drop down menu called "Bending Service". If you open this and select any of the options. It will open a small image of the bay shape chosen. 

If this looks like your bay shape. Then great move onto the next step. If not then select another until you find the one as close to your bay bay shape as possible. 

TO TOP ▲