Large square bay wall or ceiling fix?

by Jon Nichols
(Yelverton )

Hi Lee, I am looking to install a track system to replace my foolishly attempted swish DIY curtain track in our square bedroom bay.

The total length is 507 cm and the current plastic track is wall fixed as you can see from the photos - the above window timber fixing is only 6cm height however, which looks like it may rule out using your wall fix brackets.

However, there is a windowsill and radiator across the main part of the bay which projects a total of 17 cm from the window surface, so ceiling fix may be a better option, but the property is circa 1900 and I am just slightly concerned of the weight of Curtains on what I assume to be a plaster lath ceiling?
Thanks in anticipation of your advice. Jon



Hi Jon

Thanks for getting in touch and for the photos as they tell the story. I hear what you say about the ceiling. however, I still think it will be the best place to fit to.

I would order a few extra brackets to distribute the weight more evenly. You could add the extras on the sides of the bay. this is where the bulk of the weight is when stacked in the open position.

Ceiling mounted bay window curtain rail

Being ceiling fixed will also help with the position in front of the radiator. You will be very unlucky to not hit any timber in the ceiling on such a big bay. I simply hold the track up in position. Then drive the screws directly into the ceiling. This will determine if the fixings are good or not.

The video below discusses what to do when you are dealing with fixing to ceilings.
It shows an alternative fixing method if the supplied fixings are not working as well as you would like.



Your first brackets at the ends of the track. Will almost certainly go into a timber lintel across the bay. If it is a metal lintel then you will need to pilot the holes for the supplied screws. I use these 3.5mm HSS drill bits from Screwfix for this job. The best I have come across.

Best prices on made to measure bay window curtain tracks

You can get an instant price for a custom made corded bay track using the simple to use calculator on the corded bay window curtain track page here.

I don't think it's enough to just say our prices are competitive. Our prices are the lowest I have been able to find when doing my own research. Not only that we give a NO quibble 10 year guarantee.

Short of you attacking your new track with a hammer 😂. We guarantee the quality and performance.

Benefits of choosing a custom made curtain track

Another thing to be aware of is the length of the cord control loops. We make these so the bottom of the loop is 150cm up from the floor. This is to meet child safety laws. This would mean they will be shorter than the ones you have now. These cord loops are then secured to the wall with top quality metal spring tensioned safety device.

These not only make the cord control safe for children and pets. They also keep the cord loop under a little tension. This means that when opening and closing your curtains. They will continue to operate smoothly. When the cords are not under tension. the cords have the habit of snagging when operating the cord control.

Which means people often then pull harder on the cord control to free the snag. Which put excess strain on the cords, cord pulleys, and the brackets securing the track. In your case with the track being fixed to the ceiling. The calculator will automatically select cord controls to both sides. With centre pulleys in the middle of your track.

This means that each curtain will be operated separately with its own control. You might be thinking that you only want to open and close your curtains as a pair with a one side coed control. Because you don't want to double the work opening and closing your curtains.

However, in day to day real world use having one control will mean you have to move the weight of two curtains with one control. One a large bay window such as yours with 90 degree bends. The effort to move both curtains will put much more strain on the cord, pulleys, and curtain track brackets.

It would inevitably lead to the pulley on the cord control side to fail. Also, highly likely the brackets on this end of the track to become loose from their fixing. You do have the option to override the double control and go back to one control. However, if you choose this option are guarantee will not be valid.

Summary

Finally, I think it is important for me to mention that our corded tracks are far superior to the Swish DIY tack in every way. Far more robust track and brackets. The pulleys are vastly superior. The cord is also more than double the thickness. Which makes it so much easier to grip when opening and closing the curtains. This is why we can confidently offer our 10 year guarantee.

If you have any other questions. Then please feel free to ask. You can find the direct link to the custom made corded bay track page here.

You will also find several supporting videos relating to the corded track over on the curtain track fitting video page here.


All the best, Lee