Measuring for a Bay Window Pole
How to Measure a Bay Window
To make a bay window pole, we need wall measurements for the bay taken at the height the pole will be fitted.
- Please click here to view some standard bay window layouts. Choose the layout that matches your window. If none of these diagrams are suitable, please contact us for advice and a quote. You can also email a photo of your window.
- Use a metal tape and give measurements in centimetres. If the corners are not sharp, mark the wall so that you measure to and from the same point (or put masking tape on the wall and mark the tape to avoid marking the wall). Measurements inside the bay should include the length of the finials.
- We use diagonal measurements to calculate the angles (this is much more reliable than trying to measure angles). You need to measure the diagonals precisely. Take the diagonal measurement to the same point in the corner that was used for the wall measurements.
- The curtains need space to be stacked when they are drawn back; if there is insufficient space and you would like the pole to return out of the bay into the room, specify the length of the returns, excluding the length of the finials. Each return needs to be a minimum of 10cm to accommodate the bend and supporting bracket. If you have very little room for finials, please consider using a Disc finial, which slides over the pole by 1cm. For finial dimensions, please click here.
Please enter these measurements in the boxes provided on the product page of our online shop. To see a worked example, please click here.
Brackets
All standard brackets are the same price, so you can specify different brackets in the box on the product page. If you leave this box blank, you will receive standard 6cm brackets of the number and type specified in Product Contents. If you have exceptionally heavy curtains, please note this in the box.
Here is a guide to the brackets we supply.
As a general rule, the maximum span recommended between brackets is 150cm, and a bracket is recommended for each bend in a bay window pole. However, very heavy curtains may need more support, and 1 bracket may suffice for 2 bends set very close together. The web shop gives a price based on standard product content, but if we find your pole needs fewer brackets, we will notify you and refund the difference.
Bracket length or projection
This is the distance between the wall and the centre of the pole. The bracket length required depends on the depth of the curtain folds and any projections, such as window sills. Our standard bracket lengths are 6cm, 8cm and 10cm, with 6cm being the most popular. Other lengths are available on request. There is no extra charge for other brackets’ lengths from 4cm to 12cm long, but as these are bespoke, they are non-returnable. If you need brackets longer than 12cm, please call for advice.
Ceiling fixed brackets are an alternative to long wall brackets. If you are using these brackets, we need to know the bracket drop (from the ceiling to the centre of the pole, which is 4cm as standard) and the distance required between the wall and the centre line of the pole. You can mix ceiling and wall brackets and different bracket lengths on the same pole, but please discuss the details with Daryl.
What brackets come with the bay window pole?
The number of brackets required for a bay window pole depends on the length of the pole, the weight of the curtains and the number of bends. Most bay poles with 2 bends are made in 2 pieces and need 5 brackets:
2 brackets with vertical back plates to support the ends
2 intermediate (passing) brackets with horizontal back plates to support the bends
1 intermediate bracket with a horizontal back plate to support the join in the centre of the pole.
We drill holes in the pole to take the intermediate brackets that support the bends, so if you need the brackets in specific positions, please supply details with a diagram.
Passing brackets will only allow the curtain to pass if they are used with passing rings. A curtain with an eyelet or tab top heading will not pass the bracket.
Types of bracket
Brackets with vertical back plates are supplied to support the ends of the pole as standard, as these give the strongest fixing for the pole. The back plate is normally hidden by the curtain.
Horizontal brackets are designed for use as a centre bracket on a straight pole, but they may also be used to support the ends of the pole if fixing space is limited.
Sleeve brackets are another alternative to vertical or horizontal brackets for supporting the ends of a pole. These are useful if fitting a pole tight to a ceiling, or where a pole with intermediate brackets is fitted to a batten and all bracket back plates need to be at the same level.
Intermediate brackets are designed to be used with passing rings. This bracket fits into a hole drilled into the bottom of the pole. It is used to support the bends in a bay window and to provide support on long stretches of pole where a curtain needs to pass a bracket. An intermediate bracket is also used to support the join in the centre of a bay pole. Holes for these brackets are pre-drilled, so if you have specific fixing points, please let us know. Please note that you cannot benefit from passing brackets if you are using eyelet or tab top curtains.
Recess brackets are for use where 1 or both ends of the pole need to fit inside a recess. In this case, you may wish to use a Disc finial to slide onto the pole and retain the first curtain ring. The web shop does not cater for bay poles with recess brackets, so please contact us for a quote.
Ceiling brackets provide an alternative to wall brackets, provided that the ceiling is suitable for fixing and supporting the weight of the pole and the curtains. If you want to use ceiling brackets, we need to know the bracket drop (from the ceiling to the centre of the pole; this is 4cm as standard).