Bay window curtain poles

EvilMonkey

Watcha, I've recently moved into a new house with 2 bay windows. They currently have 2 of those plastic strip curtain things which I'm keen to replace. I see that you can get "bay window curtain poles" but I wonder how some of them work (as if they have support inthe corners, how does the curtain get round, and if not can it support the weight?

I have seen some cast iron ones which are built so the curtain ring (more a hook) goes over the bracket fixing point... They're a bit pricey though (unless anyone knows different?)

Thjoughts \ tips from any current users of any of these systems would be great!


E.M.

silvercar

Watching thread with interest. I did ask my local curtain shop. They said they were expensive but did exist.

The hook thing sounds logical, so it won't get in the way of the post. The difficulty is what to fix the post onto inside the bay. If you don't have joists in the right place it will be difficult.

Solution would be tracks that allow the curtain to reach the top of the bay and/or a pelmet to hide the tracks.

starving_artist

I had a curtain pole custom made - bay windows are not a standard size. I think I got it mail order from Jim Lawrence (it was a long time ago, can't remember how much) http://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/shop/main/polebuilder.cfm. You have to measure carefully and I think may be supply a drawing. It's supported in the centre and at the ends.

Although it's firmly fixed to the wall, my curtains are heavy and lined and it puts a real strain on the fixtures even though I am careful pulling them round the bend part.

I would prefer some other solution but as my sash windows are pretty draughty I need thick heavy curtains. Unfortunately the windows are not designed to accomodate those nice wooden folding shutters. I am considering draught proofing the windows and getting a semi opaque film for the lower half of the windows for privacy. However the large glass areas means a considerable amount of heat will still be lost and I'll still need blinds or light curtains to cut out light at night.

Poppy9

A lot depends on the shape of the bay window.

In my previous house I had a square type floor to ceiling window so I used a heavy duty plastic corded rail (it was quite expensive then - 1986 £50-60). The pelmet covered the track and it worked very well for a few years but then the corner (which was 90') cord would drop down so it wouldn't pull properly everytime. It took the weight of the curtains fine (they were heavy and lined) though.

Now I have a curved bay window, upstairs and down. I again have heavy duty plastic corded rail downstairs as the original box pelmet is present. As the curve is more gentle (I think window is about 12ft wide and the curve is gradual over 5 windows) it's still working well after 11 years. I still have the original metal rail on the bedroom bay but the wear on the curtains is harder as I drag them around the window. One day I will get another corded rail for OH to put up:rolleyes:

Have a look here for corded rails

These are what I have