How to Measure Curtains

Recommended location for Your Track or Pole 

Before taking measurements for your curtain, it is important to make sure your curtain pole or track is installed in the recommended location. 

●      Wall Fix

The curtain pole/track should extend at least 6″ to either side of the window, and 6″ above the top of the window.

●      Top/Ceiling Fix

The curtain pole/track should extend at least 6″ to either side of the window to allow the curtains to stack back.

●      Fix inside a Window Recess

You can install a top fix track/tension rod/curtain wire into the window recess. However, we advise you fit your fitting outside of the window recess if the window opens inwards, or if the recess depth is too narrow.

 

Track/Pole/Rod Width

Guidelines for Measuring

●      Pole: Measure the usable section of the pole between the two decorative ends or finials (D).

●      Track: Measure the full width of the track.

●      Track with overlap: Measure the overlap width if there is one in the centre and add it to the full width.

We recommend using a metal tape measure which does not stretch. 

 

After Measuring

●      Entering the pole/track width (not curtain width).

●      The system will automatically calculate the finished curtain width according to your pole/track width and type of curtain heading.

●      Next, please enter the curtain drop length (see instructions below). Select single/pair, heading, and other specifications.

Curtain Height/Drop 

We recommend three types of curtain lengths:

1.      Sill length curtains finish ¾″ above the window sill (E)

2.      Below sill length curtains finish ¾″ above a radiator if one is located below the window (F)

3.      Floor length curtains finish ¾″ above the floor (G)

*Please check more details about pattern orientation. It may affect the maximum curtian height if you choose a patterned design.

 Specific Measurements For Your Curtain Hanging Styles 

Pencil/Double/Triple Pleat Curtains Guide

Guidelines for Measuring

Pencil/Double/Triple Pinch Pleat Curtain Drop

We use the same way to measure pencil pleat, double pinch pleat, and triple pinch pleat curtains.

curtains.

●      Pole: Measure from the bottom of the curtain rings (C).

●      Track: Measure from the top of the track (to make the curtain hang in front of the track/hide the track), or from the bottom of the track rings (B).

Pencil Pleat Curtain Width

   
View more curtain tape details Click here >>

●      Our pencil pleat curtains are 2.0x gather. Entering your pole/track width will get double width curtains.

●      You can adjust curtain fullness by entering a wider or narrower track width.

Fullness (Gather)	Enter Track width	Example E.g.Your track width: 40″
1.0x	Your track width x 0.5	Enter track width: 20″ Finished curtain width: 40″
1.5x	Your track width x 0.75	Enter track width: 30″ Finished curtain width: 60″
2.0x	Your track width	Enter track width: 40″ Finished curtain width: 80"
2.5x	Your track width x 1.25	Enter track width: 50″ Finished curtain width: 100″
3.0x	Your track width x 1.5	Enter track width: 60″ Finished curtain width:120″

Double/Triple Pinch Pleat Curtain Width

  

●      Pole: Measure the usable section of the pole between the two decorative ends or finials.

●      Track: Measure the full width of the track.

After Measuring

●      Entering the pole/track width (not curtain width).

●      The system will automatically calculate the finished curtain width according to your pole/track width and type of curtain heading.

●      With double pleat or triple pinch pleat curtains, you may consider adding 2″ to the width.

●      If you choose a pair of curtains, you may want to add an extra 2″ to the width. This ensures that the curtains overlap in the middle so there is no gap, as the pleats can sometimes hold the width back and reduce the full width.

Tab Top Curtain Guide

 Tab Top Curtain 

 

●      If you use a curtain pole, measure from the top of the pole (A) for the curtain drop.

●      The measurement should include the 4″ tab folds that are over the pole, which is suitable for poles up to 2″ in diameter.

●      Please also measure from the top of the curtain pole to the very top of the window recess. This is important as it ensures that your curtains completely cover the top of the window.

●      When hanging the curtain over the pole, the gap between the pole and the window frame must be larger than the 4″ tabs. Please leave us a message if you require a different tab top size when you check out. 

Eyelet/Grommet Curtain Guide

Eyelet /Grommet Curtain 

Guidelines for Measuring

Eyelet/Grommet Curtain Rings

●      The inner diameter of the eyelet/grommet ring is 1½″. 

●      The eyelet/grommet will fit poles up to 1¼″ in diameter. 

●      There are 6-7 eyelet/grommet rings per yard width of ungethered heading.

Eyelet/Grommet Curtain Drop

●      Measure from the top of the curtain pole (A) and then add 1½″ to your measurement.

E.g. Entering a finished curtain drop of 102¼″ includes:

■      100¾″ from the top of the pole (A) to the bottom of the curtain.

■      1½″ from the top of the pole (A) to the top of the curtain.

You can adjust curtain fullness by entering a wider or narrower pole width.

Fullness (Gather)	Enter Pole width	Example E.g. Your pole width: 40″
1.0x	Your pole width ÷ 1.5	Enter pole width: 26″ Finished curtain width: 39″
1.5x	Your pole width	Enter pole width: 40″ Finished curtain width: 60″
2.0x	Your pole width x 1.33	Enter pole width: 52″ Finished curtain width: 79″
2.5x	Your pole width x 1.66	Enter pole width: 65″ Finished curtain width: 98″

Wave Curtain / S Fold Curtain / Ripple Fold Curtain Guide 

 Waven/S Fold/Ripple Fold Curtains 
Wave Tracks

Please note that wave curtains need a wave track (not a standard track) to hang from. For wave tracks:

●       The gliders are interconnected to each other and move along with a cord.

●       Each glider pulls the next one behind until all the gliders create even spaces across the whole track.

●       All gliders will be in their hooking positions to form the waves. Generally, the glider-cord spacing between every two gliders is either 2⅜″ or 3⅛″.

We recommend that you buy a wave track before ordering wave curtains. Please click here and enter your address to find your local wave track suppliers. Alternatively, you could search "wave track" online. 

Please don't hesitate to contact us with your track details if you have any questions. Please email info@voilavoile.com

Guidelines for Measuring

Curtain Drop

●      Measure from the bottom of the wave track to the floor level. 

●      We recommend that floor-length curtains finish approx. 1″ above the floor. Otherwise, you may not get the curtain waves to hang straight and the curtains may drag or break on the floor.

Curtain Width

●      Enter the wave track width and the total number of gliders on the track,

●      Select single/pair, wave type and fullness.

●      The finished curtain width will be calculated automatically.

Number of Gliders

●      Please provide the total number of hooks/gliders/hook points on the wave track.

●      Please note that the finished curtain width is based on the number of gliders you provided.

E.g. if there are 28 gliders on a wave track:

■      on single stack curtains there are 28 hooks.

■      on pair stack curtains there are 14 x 2 hooks.

●      The finished curtain comes with the hooks. You can hang the curtain just below the wave track.

Calculate the number of gliders - 2⅜″ wave>>

Calculate the number of gliders - 3⅛″ wave>>

Please notice the number of gliders should be even number as one of the curtain edges returns to the front if you provide an odd number of hook points/gliders. 

Wave Type

Wave tracks have two sizes of glider cord to create a deeper or shallower wave style.

●      2⅜″ wave is the space between every two hooks/gliders. The curtain waves are smaller.

●      3⅛″ wave is the space between every two hooks/gliders. The curtain waves are bigger.

*If the spaces between every two hooks/gliders are bigger or smaller than the waves above, we can still ensure that your curtains will be evenly distributed on the hooks/gliders if you choose one of the waves above.

Please note that the actual curtain waves may be slightly deeper or shallower.

Wave Curtain Approx. Fullness
2.3X fullness offers a larger wave and a deeper curtain stack depth than a 2.1x fullness wave curtain.

Wave Type	Approx. Curtain Fullness	Stack Depth from the front to the back	Stack width per metre of track	Min distance  from hook points to the wall
2⅜″	2.1X	4″	9″	3⅛″
2⅜″	2.3X	4¾″	9″	3½″
3⅛″	2.1X	5½″	7″	4″
3⅛″	2.3X	6¼″	7″	4⅜″

  

 2⅜″ wave, 2.1X curtain fullness

 3⅛″ wave, 2.1X curtain fullness 

How to hang a wave curtains
All instructions and matching hooks will be provided with your order.

 2⅜″ wave, Approx. Fullness = 2.1 

●       The first/last hook goes into the 6th pocket from both ends.

●       Other hooks are inserted every 10th pocket (this means there will be 9 empty pockets).

 2⅜″ wave, Approx. Fullness = 2.3 

●       The first/last hook goes into the 6th pocket from both ends.

●       Other hooks are inserted every 12th pocket (this means there will be 11 empty pockets).

 3⅛″ wave, Approx. Fullness = 2.1 

●       The first/last hook goes into the 8th pocket from both ends.

●       Other hooks are inserted every 14th pocket (this means there will be 13 empty pockets).

 3⅛″ wave, Approx. Fullness = 2.3 

●       The first/last hook goes into the 8th pocket from both ends.

●       Other hooks are inserted every 16th pocket (this means there will be 15 empty pockets).

Please contact us at info@voilavoile.com to order by email if you cannot get an instant quote online, and provide the following information:

a. Product Code/Link
b. Pair or Single
c. Track Width
d. Curtain Drop
f. Number of Gliders
e. Wave Type: 2⅜″ Wave, 3⅛″ Wave or Other
f. Lining if Needed

*The wave curtain photos are from Silent Gliss.

Rod Pocket Curtain Guide

 Rod Pocket Curtains 

Pocket Size - Circumference

The above illustration shows the circumference in pink and the diameter in green.

●      The circumference of a circle is the distance around the curtain rod/rail/wire. Please add ½″ to the overall measurement.

●      e.g. If the circumference of the rod is 4″, we would recommend 4½″ circumference for your rod pocket circumference. 

●      If your circumference of the rod is not listed on the ordering page, please leave a message when you check out: "The correct circumference is ..."

Curtain Width

●      Enter the curtain rod/pole/wire width

●      Select single/pair, fullness.

●      The finished curtain width will be calculated automatically.

Curtain Drop

●      Measure from the top of the curtain pole/rod/wire to the window sill or the floor.

●      The curtains should finish ¾″ above the window sill or the floor. 

1.5X Gather	2.5X Gather	3X Gather

Selecting Your Fullness/Gather

●      We always recommend that you choose 2.5x gather as it creates a more luxurious and high-quality look.

●      However, if you prefer a more minimalistic style, you may wish to choose 1.5X gather. 

●      If you need a curtain for a sash window or door, please contact us at info@voilavoile.com for a quote.

How to order 1.0x flat rod pocket curtain

Fullness (Gather)	Enter rod width	Example E.g. Your rod width: 40″
1.0x	Your rod width ÷ 1.5	Enter rod width: 26″ Select 1.5X Gather heading Finished curtain width: 39″