Measuring for a track to hang long curtains in a bay

You will find all the info you need for measuring for a track to hang long curtains in a bay here. Let me start by saying to place your order for a new custom made bay window curtain track. You will only need the total width around your bay window. So measure around following where you think you would like the new bay track to fit. 

For long curtains in a bay window you will in most cases be measuring around the front lip of the window sill. Then returning out of the bay on each side. On the returns out of the bay. Don't just measure the width of the sill. Measure on to the wall as well as you will need the curtains to hang on the wall when stacked in the open position. A typical return size will be between 20 to 30cm wide.

Take a look at the video below to see how simple it is to measure your bay window properly.

Discover how to measuring for a track to hang long curtains in a bay doesn't have to be difficult.

There are some occasions where measuring the walls under the window sill is the best place to take your measurements. Then letting us know how much the window sill sticks out from the wall. This can work better when the window sill doesn't return out of the bay but finishes within the bay.  But you are having returns on your bay window curtain track.

You can see a couple of images below where measuring from the walls. Rather than the front edge of the window sills makes perfect sense.

These bay windows above and below are prefect examples. As to when measuring the walls under your window sill is the best solution for accurate sizes. You can then add the projection of the window sills out from the wall to the "Additional information" box on the final measuring form.

Measuring this way means there is no confusion when you reach the external corners of the bay. We then get the correct angle for the bay and your new bay track.

in the images above and below.  Both the bay window curtain tracks will be completely ceiling fixed.  This is a really simple way to fit your bay tracks. Our bay track fitting videos show how simple the installion is.

The bay track above is to fit only within the bay and will not return out on to the sides in the room.

The bay styles above and below are perfect examples.  As to when measuring from the front lip of the window sill is the right place to measure. When it comes to measuring the returns on each side. Not only are you measuring the ends of the sills. You are also extending your measuring on to the side walls. 

In the image above the bay track will be ceiling fixed within the bay and again on the returns. As both bay and room ceilings are at the same height. This is the right way when measuring for a track to hang long curtains in a bay.

In the image above amd below the ends of the sill are about 10cm wide. So making your return size around 30 cm. Means the curtains will hang 20cm over on to the wall. This will give you room to stack your curtains off the window when open.

The image above is good example of a 5 sided bay with returns. The window sill finishes within the bay. Then you move on to measuring the small side walls in the bay.  Then the walls on the returns out of the bay.

In this 5 sided bay window the track will be ceiling fixed within the bay. Then wall fixed on the returns.

In the curved bay image above and below you can see the blue dotted lines showing the measuring positions. When you are measuring A to C. You will be following the curve of the front lip of the window sill. Then when measuring A to B & B to C. You will be measuring a straight line across these 2 points. Not following the cuve of the sill.

When it comes to measuring the D to B line across the middle of the bay. Then you will need something long and straight. You will rest this on each side of the bay. so the ends are at the external corners of the bay. Then measure from the middle straight up to the lip of the sill at point B.

If you don't have anything wide nough to place across the bay. Then use another tape measure and weight each end down on the sill. Then use the edge of the tape as your point D.

This curved bay window above will be ceiling fixed within the bay. Then wall fixed on the returns. As the bay ceiling is lower than the ceiling in the room.

In the curved bay windows above the track will ceiling fix within the bay and on the returns. as the ceiling in the room is at the same height as the bay. So it makes the fitting easier for you this way.

I hope all of the above guides to measuring for a track to hang long curtains in a bay give you the information you need to measure your bay for a perfect fitting bay window curtain track. The measuring guides work for any of our bay tracks. Again just remember you are measuring your bay. Not the curtain track. 

We work out the best position for the track based on your sizes. Your choice of brackets and finally by looking at your bay photo sent with your order. 

If you only want your curtains to hang within a bay. but also to hang past the front of the window sill. Then depending on your bay style. This might cause you to have gaps down the outside edges of your curtains. You can see how to cure this problem by watching the video below.