Sally Wallwin
213 Far Laund
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1FP
Tel: 01773 822 326
Email:info@sallywallwin.co.uk
Expert advice for all your interior requirements
Service that’s tailored to your needs
If you’re spending time and money on professionally made curtains, you want them to fit and hang perfectly in your window space. So with that in mind, we’d like to offer you some helpful advice to make the process easier.
Firstly, to be sure of the best possible fit – take the time to measure your window carefully. A metal tape is probably the most accurate way to measure the space.
Whether you choose for your curtains to be hung from a track or pole, these should be fitted 15cm/6 inches above the window, extending 15-20cm/6-8 inches either side.
Make sure you fit the track or pole before taking your measurements.
Measuring the curtain track or pole:
Curtain pole
Using a tape measure, measure the total length of the pole, excluding the finials or end-pieces. Don’t measure the window unless it is wall-to-wall. Also, remember to allow an additional measurement of 2.5cm (1 inch) which allows the hanging curtains to overlap when they are drawn.
Curtain track
This measurement should be the length of the track – not the width of the window, as the track may extend beyond each side of the window to allow the curtains to be pulled right back. If your track overlaps in the centre, be sure to measure the full length, including the overlap.
Measuring drop and heading height
Measuring drop and heading height
Do you want your curtains to hang to the sill, below the sill or to the floor?
Sill length curtains – finish 1.25cm/1/2 inch above the sill
Below the sill curtains – finish 15cm/6inches below the sill
Floor length curtains – finish 1.5cm/1/2 inches from the floor (alternatively, curtains can be made longer to trail on the floor if you if you prefer a more sumptuous look)
We will allow for hems and turnings.
Measuring curtain drop and heading height for poles
Pencil pleat curtains: take your measurement from the eye; the small metal ring at the bottom of each curtain ring. This prevents the pole or rings from being obscured by the curtain. You also need to measure the heading height, from the ring upwards.
Heading heights can be up to 7cm, however for poles we would suggest a heading height of 1cm.
Tab top and eyelet curtains: measure from the very top of the pole.
Measuring curtain drop and heading height for tracks
Take your drop measurement from the eye of the curtain glider. We would suggest a heading height of 5cm for tracks so it is hidden by the curtain, however heading heights can go up to around 7cm.
Measuring for Roman blinds
Measuring inside a window recess
First ensure that the recess your blind is going into is not obstructed in any way so the blind can hang freely when fully extended.
Make sure the recess is at least 75mm (3 inches) deep, otherwise it will not be able to accommodate the operating mechanism.
Measure the total width from A to B and the length from C to D (see diagram 1). Do this in several places to allow for any slight variation or irregularity in your windows.
Make a note of the narrowest of these measurements, to the nearest millimetre using a metal tape measure.
Measuring outside a window recess
* Decide how far you want the fabric to overlap on all sides – we recommend this should be at least 45mm (1 ¾ inches)
* Carefully measure the width from E to F (see diagram 2), adding a further 38mm (1 ½ inches) to take account of the operating mechanism. Measure from G to H to the length you require.
* Make a note of these measurements to the nearest millimetre using a metal tape measure.
For more information about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
