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In this guide you will find all the information required for you to measure your bay window, which will enable you to order and fit your chosen bay window treatment.
If you require any further information, for instance if your bay window is an unusual shape, then please use the Live Help button or call our helpful team on the number provided.
You can measure in Centimetres or Inches.
1. A tape measure (metal ones are best)
2. A pencil ( a pencil is better than a pen as you can remove the marks more easily) and paper
3. A pair of steps
4. All our products are shown in centimetres and inches so it does not matter whichever you choose.
We do not advise measuring for the pole or track on the window sill as the area above can vary quite a lot. It is always best to measure your bay window at the location where the product is to be fitted. This is particularly crucial when measuring for Made to Measure Bay Poles and Tracks.
An extra pair of hands makes measuring a large bay window easier and more accurate. Always have a pencil and paper handy to write the measurements down and keep the paper handy as you may well need to refer to it when fitting the pole or track.
If your curtains are heavy or your walls are not very stable, we strongly recommend fitting your track or pole to a wooden batten.
Eyelet, slot headed and tab top curtains will not work in a bay window, as they cannot pass over the corner joints unless they are fitted as individual curtains on separate sections of pole or track.
First you will need to decide if you want your pole or track to finish inside the bay, in which case you will see the side of the curtains or if you want them to extend out of the bay, in which case you will see the front of the curtains facing you as you look into the bay.
Now count the number of sides in your bay window. A side in a bay window is any flat section. Count each flat section in the bay window, which gives you the number of sides.
The diagram below shows the normal location of these sections of wall, highlighted in red. These may need to be included in your measurement of the last sections.
Section of wall longer than 25cm (10") - include these when counting the number of sides. Do not include if 25cm or shorter.
The four points below should be considered in case they affect your decision.
Measure around the inside of your bay where you wish your curtains to cover, this will then allow you to choose the correct length of pole or track required.
You may wish your curtains to finish inside the bay, in which case you will see the edges of the curtains as you look into the bay.
Alternatively you may wish to extend your curtains out of the bay so that they frame the window and you will see the front of the curtains. This option is often the most attractive, but may not always be possible if there is a returning wall at the end of the bay section.
Start at one end of the bay and measure the wall where the pole is to be fitted (excluding finials). Measure across this section of wall to where it meets at the angle of the next section of wall. Write down the measurement and then measure across to the next section of wall, continuing around the bay to where the pole or track is to finish. Add these up to give the total length of your bay. You will now be able to start shopping for Pre-packed Bay Poles.
Start at one end of the bay window where the curtain track is to start. Measure across this section of wall to where it meets at the angle of the next section of wall. Write down the measurement and then measure across to the next section of wall, continuing around the bay to where the track is to finish. Add these measurements up to give you your total required track length. Please visit our shop to see our ranges of Plastic and Metal Bay Window Track.
Now that you have your bay measurements and the number of sides, decide whether you want a curtain pole or track.
Click on the links below to shop for products that are specifically designed to fit in your particular bay window.
