Learn how to measure for curtains and top treatments
CURTAIN
LENGTH
Curtain length is
typically measured from the top of the rod
pocket to the bottom edge of the curtain. If
the curtain has a header (the part above the
rod pocket), this is
typically not included in the length of the
curtain. If the header is included in
the
length of the curtain, it will be specified
in the description of the
curtain.
Tab curtain lengths
include the tabs unless specified.
The length of the
fringe or edging sewn to a curtain or a dust
ruffle should be added to the curtain length
or dust ruffle drop length. The fringe
length is specified in the description of
the curtain.
If you plan to use
clip rings, remember the top of the curtain
will start at the clip so you will need to
take the length of the ring into account
when determining what curtain length to
purchase.
Overall curtain
length is a matter of personal preference
and need not be exact. If you have not yet
installed your rod, you can adjust the
placement of your rod, a little higher or
lower, to get the bottom of the curtain to
fall where you want at
your window.
CURTAIN
WIDTH
Using a metal tape measure or a wooden
yardstick, measure the width of the window
area you would like to cover, typically from
bracket to bracket.
For proper fullness, order curtain pair
widths that are approximately one and a half
times to double the width of the window area
you would like to cover.
For wider windows, order wider width pairs,
available in many styles, or order an extra
pair of regular width curtains.
SHEERS: Use
double or even triple the width of your
window area depending on how much privacy,
light control, or fullness you want at your
window.
VALANCES
& SWAGS: Use the same width
guidelines as Curtains, one and a half to
double the width of the window area you
would like to cover.
BALLOON
CURTAINS: Use the same width
guidelines as Curtains, one and a half to
double the width of the window area you
would like to cover. Balloon lengths listed
are the full length before you raise the
balloon on your window.
LACES: Add
about 12 to 24 inches to the width of the
window area - this will allow the lace
pattern to show. If the lace panel is a
little
wider than this, that's fine, it will just
have more fullness at your window.
PINCHPLEATED
CURTAINS: Use the width of your
window area and add about another 12
inches.
FISHTAILS &
SCARVES: Choose the swag length
closest to the sum of your window width plus
twice the vertical length you'd like.
FESTOONS &
JABOTS: Require a double rod. For a
softly draped look, choose the festoon size
closest to the width of your
rod, measuring from
bracket to bracket, plus or minus about two
inches. The jabot length is your preference
... short, to the sill or in between.
DOOR PANELS &
SIDELIGHTS: Using the metal measuring
tape, measure the width and length of the
door glass that you want to
cover.Select a door panel or
sidelight that is approximately one and half
times to double the width of the window area
you would like to
cover. The length of the door panel should
be the same as the glass measurement and
will cover the window opening and an inch or
so
above and below the door glass. Each door
panel or sidelight panel will require two
door panel rods or sash rods, for top and
bottom rod
pockets. Position the rods about an inch
above and below the door glass. Here's a tip
when installing door panel rods: Slip the
top rod
pocket of door panel through the top rod
and secure it to brackets. Then put the
bottom rod through the bottom rod pocket of
door panel
and let it hang. The bottom of the door
panel will fall where you need to position
the bottom rod brackets.
How To Measure
Learn how to measure for
Roll-Up and Roman Shades
ROLL-UP SHADES
Overall shade width is
measured from tip to tip; however; the shade
fabric will measure
1-1/2" less than the overall width.
For an outside
mount:
Using a metal tape
measure, measure the width of the window area you
would like to
cover. We recommend going 2 to 3 inches beyond
the window opening on each side to
allow the fabric of the shade to cover your
window opening. An outside is always
recommended for best coverage and light
control.
For an inside
mount:
Using a metal tape
measure, measure the exact width of your window
opening. Our roll-up shades can adjust to almost
1 inch wider so you may order a size that is
slightly smaller than your window opening and it
will adjust up to 7/8 inches wider. For example,
if your window measures 27-7/8" wide, you can
order a 27" shade and it will adjust to 27-7/8".
Remember, the roll-up shade fabric will measure
1-½" less so a small amount of light will
show at
the sides.
ROMAN
SHADES
Overall shade width is measured from tip to
tip; the shade fabric measures the same as
the overall width.
For an outside
mount:
Using a metal tape measure, measure the
width of the window area you would like to
cover. We recommend going 2 to 3 inches
beyond
the window opening on each side to allow
the fabric of the shade to cover your window
opening. For an outside mount, you will want
to
select a shade that is approximately the
width that you've measured; the shade size
can be slightly larger or slightly smaller
since the
placement does not need to be exact. An
outside is always recommended for best
coverage and light control.
For an inside
mount:
Using a metal tape measure, measure the
exact width of your window opening. For an
inside mount, you will want to select a
shade that
is the same size or a bit smaller than the
width that you've measured. With an inside
mount a small amount of light will show
at
the sides.
