How to measure for your Phoenix blind or curtains
All products from Phoenix Interiors are individually made to the measurements you give us. These measuring guidelines should help you to achieve perfect results.
General
For accurate measurement, use a metal tape measure, not a stretchy cloth dressmaker's tape.
Curtains
If you are fitting curtains for the first time,
install the track or pole before measuring for curtains.
If fitting inside the window recess, fix the track as high as possible
and leave only sufficient clearance at the ends to
install the hooks or gliders conveniently.
If fitting outside the recess, consider the best height at which to mount
the track or pole bearing in mind the availability of suitable anchorage points,
the heights of other architectural and decorative features
and the proportions of the room.
4 inches (10cm) above the recess is typically satisfactory for tracks;
6 inches (15cm) or more of clearance is better for poles,
especially if tab-top curtains are to be used.
A track or pole that extends
six inches (15cm) beyond each side of the recess suits most rooms,
but allow more for very wide or very full curtains to draw clear of the recess.
Width
Measure the full length of the track, not the window recess. If a pair of curtains is to be hung on overlapping tracks, don't forget to include the overlap. And do tell us whether you want a single curtain, a pair of curtains, or several matching curtains for the same room - if we know, we may be able to cut the cloth more economically.
Drop
Curtains fitted inside a recess should generally stop about half an inch (12mm) above the sill. Externally fitted floor-length curtains need at least 0.75 inch (2cm) of floor clearance - more if your existing track is not perfectly parallel to the floor. If you are going to install carpets, don't forget to allow for the thickness of the carpet and underlay.
If there is a cental heating radiator below the window, below-sill length curtains should clear it.
'Drop' for curtains is the full fabric length. The curtain track will generally sit slightly below the top of the fabric and our heading tapes accomodate three different heights for hooks or gliders to accomodate most styles. If you are fitting tab-top curtains on a pole, measure to the top of the pole.
Blinds
Width
Measure width as for curtains above. Blinds - especially when fitted inside a recess - need to be measured much more accurately than curtains since the width remains fixed. You may find that the window recess is not exactly the same width all the way up, so measure horizontally at the top, bottom and at least one intermediate height, then give us the smallest measurement. Tell us that you are fitting inside a recess and we will reduce the finished width by 1cm (just under half an inch) to allow the fabric to move and prevent your blind from jamming. Otherwise, we will supply your blind to the measurement you give.
Drop
Measure from where the top of the fabric is to lie, down to the required finished length. Unless otherwise indicated, any shaped tails will be cut to lie below the stated drop and lie flat on the sill when the blind is closed, so that there is a full width of fabric covering the bottom of the window.
 |
 |
 |
| Straight | Tapered bottom | Arched bottom |
Draw-pull position
We will equip your blind for a left or right-hand draw-pull. You can change it later, but you can easily save half an hour of fitting time by considering the most convenient side for the draw-pull before you order.