Bright living room with bay window and fitted white curtain track, featuring plantation shutters, soft neutral tones, and a classic fireplace with modern built-in shelving.

At Tracks Direct, customers often call with very specific questions — and rightly so! Curtains might be soft and flowing, but the hardware behind them needs to be spot-on to avoid problems. One recent caller had a great example: how to install corded or motorised curtain tracks when central heating pipes sit snugly along the window recess.

Here’s what they needed to know — and what Natalie from our team was happy to help with.

 

The Issue: Central Heating Pipes in the Way

The customer was considering Silent Gliss 3900 or 3000 corded tracks, but had a challenge. Central heating pipes ran down either side of the window, projecting about 30mm from the wall. That meant standard brackets might not give enough clearance for the curtains to hang freely.

 

The Solution: Projection Brackets

Natalie advised on a few bracket options to increase projection:

  • Standard Bracket: 35mm projection – just enough to clear those pipes.
  • 3655 Bracket: 50mm projection – gives a bit more breathing room.
  • 3660 Bracket: 65mm projection – ideal for larger obstructions or pinch pleat curtains that need space to fan out properly.

Each of these can be added to the basket when ordering online. It’s just a matter of matching the right bracket code with your curtain track type.

 

Intermediate Pulleys for Corded Tracks

The caller also wanted to operate each curtain panel separately — not a problem! By adding an intermediate pulley, each side of the track can be controlled independently. Perfect for flexibility and a touch of elegance.

 

Motorised Tracks? Same Idea, Different Bracket

For a larger 6-metre window, they were eyeing up the Silent Gliss Autoglide 5100 — a fantastic choice. It offers smooth, motorised operation with a simple wall switch. But again, those pesky pipes meant checking the bracket specs. The wall brackets for Autoglide differ from the corded options, but as long as they push the track out past 30mm, you're good to go.

The customer even had the PDF manual from Silent Gliss to check the details. Always a great move!

 

Why It Matters

Curtain fullness and pleat style can really be affected by how close your track is to the wall. For pinch pleat curtains, for instance, getting that clearance right means they’ll hang beautifully without pressing against any pipes or walls.

 

Need Help? Just Ask!

If you’ve got pipes, radiators, or other obstructions near your windows, Tracks Direct can help you find the right bracket solution. Just like this customer, you can speak with someone who knows the product range inside-out.

 

Feel free to call us on 01494 304193, or drop an email to info@tracksdirect.com with your room details — Natalie and the team are always happy to help.

 

FAQs – Curtain Track Brackets & Window Obstructions

Q: What is the standard projection for curtain track brackets?
A: At Tracks Direct, standard curtain track brackets typically project around 35mm from the wall. This is often enough to clear small obstructions, but for deeper installations, longer brackets are available.

Q: What brackets should I use if I have central heating pipes near the window?
A: If your heating pipes project around 30mm, consider brackets with at least 50mm or 65mm projection. Tracks Direct stocks a range of Silent Gliss brackets such as the 3655 (50mm) and 3660 (65mm) to help you clear pipes and avoid curtain bunching.

Q: Can I operate curtains on each side independently with a corded track?
A: Yes! By choosing an intermediate pulley system, each curtain panel can be operated separately. It’s perfect for split-draw curtains and is available on most corded curtain tracks, like the Silent Gliss 3900.

Q: Are different brackets needed for motorised curtain tracks?
A: Yes. Motorised curtain tracks, such as the Silent Gliss Autoglide 5100, use different brackets than corded systems. If you need wall clearance (e.g., to avoid radiators or pipes), Tracks Direct can recommend suitable options.

Q: Can I get help choosing the right curtain track and brackets?
A: Absolutely. Whether you're dealing with pipes, radiators or unusual curtain headings, the team at Tracks Direct is here to help. Call us on 01494 304193 or email info@tracksdirect.com and we’ll help you get the perfect fit.