The style of track or pole you choose can have a massive effect on the look and feel of your curtains. We've put this buying guide together to help you decide what's right for you.

Index

• Why choose tracks?

• Measuring your window

• Fitting the track

• Hanging the curtains on tracks

• Track accessories

• Why choose poles?

• Fitting the pole

• Hanging the curtains on poles

• Accessories

Why choose tracks?

Tracks are normally hidden by your curtains heading and give a smooth and finished effect to your room

If you want to fit a track smoothly into a curved bay window you must make sure you buy a flexible track

Metal poles are available with joining bends

Measuring your window

To fit a track inside a window recess:

1. The window recess is the sunken area in which your window sits

2. Measure the inside of your window recess, a metal tape measure is best used when measuring as it will be more accurate

3. The track should be slightly shorter than the width of the recess so there is space for the curtains to gather up when they are open

4. Most tracks can easily be cut to size using a hacksaw

To fit a track outside a window recess:

1. Measure just over the top of your window recess allowing 15cm (6") each side so the curtains can reveal the full window once they are fully open

2. Narrow windows can be made to look wider by extending the track to a wider width than your window. We recommend you extend by at least 15cm (6") but you can exceed this if to suit your own needs

Square Bay Windows- measure the long side and the two short sides of your window separately and cut your track accordingly

Fitting the Track

Most tracks come complete with all the fixings you need to put them up:

• Curtain track - used to suspend the curtains

• Brackets - used to fix the track to the wall

• Gliders - used to hook the curtains onto the track

• End Caps - used to secure the curtains in place at each end of the track

1. You may wish to fix the track to a wooden batten rather than directly into the brickwork as this will provide extra security

2. If you have already bought your curtains you should measure them and decide where you want them to finish.

3. If you have not already bought your curtains you must make sure you buy the correct length for the track position you have chosen

4. Drill into your wall (or wooden batten) at the required distance from the window and then insert a wall plug. Fix the brackets using the screws provided.

5. Space the brackets evenly across your window, longer lengths of track are supplied with more brackets

6. Thread your track through the supports provided on the brackets

7. If you have a very long track you may need extra brackets which we supply separately in packs of 5

8. Slide your gliders onto the track making sure that there is an end cap at each end

NB: If you clean your track with household detergent from time to time it will help ease the glide of your curtains

Hanging the curtains on tracks

Track accessories

Most tracks are sold complete with the fixtures and fittings you will require but extra items can be ordered separately if needed

Why choose poles?

Fitting the pole

Most poles come complete with all the fixtures you need to put them in place

1. You may wish to fix the pole to a wooden batten rather than directly into the brickwork as this will provide extra strength

2. You need to buy a pole that's long enough to overlap the outside of your window by about 15cm (6") on each side. This is so that the curtains are completely clear of the window when they are open so plenty of light can get in

3. Measure your curtains and decide where you want them to finish (click here for guide to curtain measuring)

4. The pole should be attached to the wall (or wooden batten) over the window

5. Attach your batten or drill into your wall at the required distance above your window and then insert a wall plug. Fix the brackets to the wall using screws at each side of your window

6. If you have a very wide window you may need an extra bracket in the centre of the window to help support the pole

7. Feed your pole through one of your brackets ensuring that one ring is behind the bracket so the curtain will be anchored in place

8. Thread the rest of your rings onto the pole then feed it through the other bracket (again ensuring that one ring is left outside of the bracket)

Hanging the curtains on poles

Accessories

You may wish to enhance the look of your curtains with some accessories:

Finials

Finials are used at the end of your curtain pole to add decoration