Curtains / Blinds / Shutters in Thaxted (2)

Curtain tracks are a very popular way to hang curtains, and provide a neat and sturdy system for opening and closing. If you need to fix a curtain track to the wall, here’s our quick guide to follow…

How to hang curtains with a track

1. Mark the location on the wall where your curtain track will go – ideally about 10cm above the window and longer than the window width by roughly 10cm on each side

2. Centre the curtain track above the window and mark where the end brackets need to be fitted (usually around 2cm from the end of the track)

3. Distribute other brackets evenly along the length of the curtain track at a maximum of 50cm apart

4. Fix the brackets in place according to the manufacturer’s instructions

5. Curtain gliders can then be slid on the end of the track, or sometimes clipped to the front

6. Attach hooks to the top of the curtains in the holes or pleats provided

7. Fit the hooks into the curtain gliders on the track, and job done

There are typically two ways to measure for blinds: measuring the recess or measuring exactly.

To measure a recess:

1. Measure the width of the recess at the top, middle and bottom and take the smallest measurement as the width for your blinds

2. Measure the vertical height of the recess at the left side, middle and right side and the smallest measurement of the three will be the drop length of your blinds

For exact blind measurements:

1. Decide where you want the edges of your blinds to be and then measure the outside of the recess from one side to the other

2. Measure the drop by starting where you want the top blind rail to be and ending where you want the bottom of your blinds to sit

Getting measurements right is an important part of installing new curtains.

Rather than simply measuring the size of the window, you need to consider the track or pole width for the curtains – a curtain track or pole will typically extend 15cm–20cm either side of the window and at least 15cm above.

To measure curtain width:

• For curtain poles you need to measure the width of the pole between the curtain finials or end caps

• For curtain tracks you can simply measure the full width of the track

• For curtain tracks with an overlap you’ll need to measure the full width of the track as well as the width of the overlap, and then add the two lengths together to get the total measurement for the curtain

To measure curtain drop:

For the curtain drop you can hang curtains to the floor, to the sill or to below the sill. The guidance for measuring the curtain drop:

• 1.5cm above the floor
• 15-20cm below the window sill (or 2-3cm above the radiator)
• 1.5cm above the window sill

Blinds in a conservatory give you the perfect way to control the amount of light that you let into the room, and can add a beautifully stylish touch too. Here are the average prices for conservatory blinds:

• Conservatory blinds cost: £940–£1,950
• Conservatory roof blinds cost: £950–£8,100
• Conservatory sail blinds cost: From £1,200
• Electric conservatory roof blinds cost (materials only): From £50 per blind
• Pleated conservatory blinds cost: £650–£3,400

Here are a few quick tips for keeping your blinds looking clean and fresh:

• Stock up on the right cleaning gear, including wipes and a micro-fibre cloth
• Make sure you dust your blinds regularly to stop any dirt and stains building up
• Avoid using harsh chemicals that can damage the blinds
• Don’t forget to clean the handle / rod – it’s the part of the blinds that gets used the most but often gets forgotten about