Selecting the Correct Curtain Pole or Track
Pole or Track?
Selecting a pole or track is determined by the curtain heading required. Pencil pleat and pinch pleat curtains can hang on any pole but eyelet and tab top curtains must hang from a pole.
Curtain poles and tracks are usually positioned between a minimum of 3-5 inches (8-12cm) above the window frame and a minimum of 6-8 inches (15-20cm) each side of the window frame. This allows light to enter the room when curtains are open and will prevent light entering the room when the curtains are drawn from either the sides or above the window.
A heavy material will require a more substantial pole (e.g. below) and a central bracket in the middle for extra support. A central bracket will also be needed for poles of 72 inches (180cm) and longer (these are usually provided with the pole).
It may also be worth considering allowing more than 8 inches (20cm) when hanging a pole if the curtains are made of a thick and heavy material so that the curtains can still be opened properly and prevent a bunched look at the window when opened. This is certainly worth taking in to account with wide windows.
In some older houses, ceilings, floors and windows may not be level so it is worth making sure that the pole or track is positioned correctly according to the eye rather than a spirit level so as to avoid an uneven look at the window.