How to Fit Bay Window Curtain Track

1. Having decided on either WALL FIX (1) or TOP FIX (2). Use your pencil to mark the position of the bracket hole, then drill and insert the rawl plugs.

 

 

2. If you have an uneven or sloping ceiling you may wish to mark the position of the end track brackets, insert a bradawl or temporarily loosely hammer in a long nail into these marked positions and hang a string between them, shown in the diagram below. This will allow you to step back and visually assess the level. You may then adjust the bradawl position at one end until you are satisfied that the level looks right.

 

 

3. Cutting to size: Release the screw under the end stop and remove it.

 

 

Cut to the required length with a fine tooth saw or hacksaw. 
Replace the end stop and tighten the screw. With a two piece track cut an equal amount from both sections to ensure the join stays in the centre of the window.

 

4. Release the bracket retaining screw and fit the track into the bracket. It is best to offer the track up to the bracket at a 30 degree angle. Clip the top channel under the front rim of the bracket. Return the track back to a vertical position and clip securely into place.

 

 

Tighten the track retaining screw to secure in place.

 

 

5. Joining longer track lengths may be done using a joining bar.

 

 

6. To bend your curtain track for angles follow these simple instructions. Firstly, lightly spray the inside of the track with a silicone or furniture polish. Slide both the bending inserts provided into the track channel. Make sure that the flat edges are positioned together and the bending inserts have the cords at opposite ends as shown in the diagram below.

 

 

Use the cords to pull the two bending inserts to the centre of the position where you want to bend the track.

 

 

Firmly bend the track at the correct angle position by applying gentle pressure, slightly bending the track a number of times until your desired angle is achieved.

 

When you have finished bending your track to the correct angles, slide out the bending inserts using the cords.

 

7. When you have fitted your track into position, you are now ready to hang your curtain by hooking the curtain hooks through the small eyelets on the bottom of the track sliders, remembering to fix the last hook on each curtain to the track end stop.

 

Caring For Your New Metal Curtain Track

• Your metal curtain track is designed to give you years of maintenance free operation. If you remove your curtains for cleaning, the track may be wiped using a damp cloth, do not use any solvents or detergents as they may effect the finish.

 

To make simple templates to accurately bend your curtain track for a bay window, all you will need is some scrap cardboard, paper for more complicated angles, a tape measure, pencil, string, a nail and a straight edge for drawing lines.

 

 

 For a 90 degree angle, place your scrap cardboard in the corner of the bay, it is usually easier to do this on the floor below the window sill if possible. Mark the cardboard at 20cm from the corner on each side.

 

 

Tie one end of the string to your pencil and make a loop in the string at 20cm, then push the nail through this loop. Push your nail through the cardboard where the two 20cm pencil lines cross and draw an arc across the corner.

 

Before you cut the template, draw a diagonal line from the corner to the nail pivot point. This will give you the centre mark on the arc where you will start the bend.

 

 

Now cut the 90 degree template, which can be used for all 90 degree angles in your bay window.

 

 

Cut the track to size, remember if you are using a long track with a join to shorten each amounts from the opposite ends of both tracks so that the join will be in the centre of the bay. You need to mark all the bend points on the track with a pencil before you start as this is much easier to do with a straight track.

 

 

 If your track uses gliders running inside a slot, you will need to use the bending bars provided*. This ensures that the slot is kept open along the angle during the bending process. For a rail type track which has runners that slide along the rail, bending bars are not necessary.
*BENDING BARS are not included with all products.

 

 

Insert the bending bars in the track, with the attached trailing cords at opposite ends of each bar. The cords allow you to pull the bars though the track as you make your bends and they will easily slide out when you have finished. Centre the bars on the first bend mark.

 

 

Place the track on your knee centred on the marked bend point. For an internal bend, the track should be runner slot uppermost, and an external bend (usually used to take the track out from the bay for the curtain staking area) will be track face up. Be absolutely certain you are going to bend the track in the right direction, as any mistakes will weaken or even ruin the track.

 

 

Begin to bend at the centre mark, use a series of bending steps and check against the template as you go.

 

 

Continue bending, moving slightly away from your centre point on either side each time, until the bend fits your template.

 

 

When you are satisfied your first bend fits the template (don't worry if the straight parts of the track are not exactly lining up with the 90 degree edges of the cardboard, these will spring into place when you click your track to the mounting brackets), move the bending bars on to centre on the next bending mark.

 

 

You may use your 90 degree template for an exterior bend. This is where the track comes out of the window and returns back against the wall of the room and the angle can be sharper as the curtains will not need to run along it. Bending with the track facing uppermost, the force should be concentrated mainly on the marked bend point and the straight lengths of track should line up with the template, rather than the bent rail.

 

 

For a more complicated bay, you will need to make individual templates.

 

 

Using a piece of clean scrap paper, for example left over wallpaper, mark the outline of the angle of the bay, firstly with a blunt object, and then with your pencil.

 

 

Cut round your pencil mark on your paper, place on the scrap cardboard and trace, then cut the cardboard template.

 

 

You now have the exact angle to create your bend. Mark on the cardboard the exact position of the angle and check that you have made a mark on the track from your initial measurements. The bending procedure is as before, for the internal angle, make sure you bend with the track channel uppermost. Check against your template frequently.

 

 

 Now you have finished bending the track to fit your bay window, you can insert the runners, attach the stop ends, click the track in place. Hang your curtains by hooking the curtain hooks through the eyelets of the track runners and check for a smooth gliding action.

 

 

 

 

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