Made-to-measure curtain track fitted around an uneven bay window with cream curtains.

Bay windows aren't always symmetrical. One side can be longer than the other, angles can differ, and furniture or other obstacles can limit the space available around the window.

So, what happens when you need a curtain track but your bay doesn't have neat, equal measurements?

This was the problem facing a customer who recently contacted Tracks Direct. He had measured his bay window and knew roughly what he wanted, but the combination of different dimensions, two bends and limited space left him unsure whether his planned curtain arrangement would work.

The problem: a bay window with different measurements

The customer wanted a curtain track for a bay with two bends and planned to hang four curtains across it.

The difficulty was that the window wasn't evenly divided. The two side sections were slightly different from the central sections, which meant the available track couldn't simply be divided into four equal parts.

There was another issue to consider: fitted furniture.

Furniture positioned close to one side of the bay meant there wasn't much space available for an overlap or return. The customer estimated that there was around 10cm at the sides, but even these measurements and the angles of the walls weren't identical.

As he explained during the call, the window was:

“slightly different each side”

It's the sort of problem that can make measuring for a bay window curtain track feel more complicated!

Does an uneven bay window cause a problem?

An uneven bay isn't automatically a problem. When the customer explained that the two sides weren't quite the same, the response from the Tracks Direct team was reassuring. Irregular window shapes are something they regularly encounter.

As the adviser put it:

“We see… the strangest shapes as windows.”

The important point is to work with the actual dimensions of the window rather than assuming both sides should be identical.

If you've measured a bay several times and keep finding that one side is slightly different from the other, don't automatically assume you've measured it incorrectly. The window itself may simply be uneven.

What if there isn't enough room for a curtain track return?

The fitted furniture was a particular concern for this customer because it reduced the amount of available space beside the window.

During the call, the team explained that if a return wasn't required, the track could potentially finish at the required point before the furniture.

This is why it's useful to identify obstructions when you're measuring a bay window. Don't just record the dimensions of the window itself. Make a note of anything around it that could affect where the curtain track needs to start or finish.

Can you send photographs of an awkward bay window?

Yes. In fact, that was one of the first questions this customer asked.

He had already taken measurements but felt the shape would be easier to understand from a photograph. The team asked him to send pictures along with the measurements he already had.

The team could then look at the information and ask for anything else required.

For a complicated bay, this can be much easier than trying to explain every angle and obstruction over the phone.

What information should you provide?

If you're asking Tracks Direct to look at an unusual bay window, start with the information you already have.

Useful details from this particular enquiry included:

  • The measurements of the different sections of the bay
  • The position of the two bends
  • The available space at either side
  • The fact that the sides weren't identical
  • The position of the fitted furniture
  • The proposed arrangement of four curtains
  • Photographs showing the overall shape of the window

You don't necessarily need to know all the technical terminology either. The customer himself referred to an:

“overlap or return or whatever you call it”

What matters initially is giving the team enough information to understand the window and what you're trying to achieve.

Not sure about your bay window measurements?

If your bay window is uneven, has unusual angles or includes an obstruction such as fitted furniture, don't assume that means a curtain track isn't possible.

Take the measurements you can, photograph the complete bay and make a note of anything that might affect the position of the track.

You can then send the information to Tracks Direct for review. If anything else is needed, the team can let you know.

For suitable made-to-measure requirements, Tracks Direct also offers professional bending services and excellent craftsmanship, helping customers deal with windows where an off-the-shelf approach may not suit the individual shape.

An awkward bay window might require a little more information — but the first step can be as simple as sending over a photograph and your measurements.