Curtain Width
Width is how many inches across the curtain panel, it is Horisontal dimension - from left to right. In the list down below you can see widths of the curtain panels in inches. Width is specified either for one (single) panel or for two panels, because certain window curtains are sold as a pair.
Some of the measurements relate to either one or two panels; Pinch Pleated Thermal Curtains have two panels, while Patio Door Drape of the same size has one panel.
If you have difficulty finding the curtains size you need be aware that there is a way to extend the width of a curtain product by placing additional panels in the same window. If your window / door is narrower then the curtains width, you may extend your curtain rod a few inches father beyond the opening you are covering. If you window is not as tall as curtains, you may raise your rod a little bit.
IMPORTANT: To properly measure the curtains width, they have to be stretched. In the window the curtains do NOT hang stretched, that is why their width is a little bit smaller than the listed measurement.
Finding The Width You Need:
The width you see listed in each of our curtain product name and description is the "overall" width measurement of the item laying flat and stretched.
This width measurement is NOT the actual width of a window that it will accommodate, but rather the overall measurement of the curtain item laying flat and stretched.
For the Tap top, Gormmet Top and Rod Pocket curtains it takes at least 1.5 to times more material or curtain width than the actual window width to provide the proper coverage of the window and look when curtains are installed or hanging on a rod.
To help you in your selection process, we provide information in the description of each curtain product as to "what size window each curtain product will cover".
Other information you may need:
When an empty curtain rod is installed in your window, measure the width of the rod from one end to the other.
Normally Grommet, Tab and Pole top curtains are displayed (except pinch pleated drapes) when the curtains width is at least 1.5 (minimum) or 3 times (maximum) the width of your window. In this case you can achieve a proper look of your curtains.
Let's say your window is 50" wide as an example. The minimum tab top / rod pocket curtains width you need is 75" (window width x 1.5 = minimum width needed) and the maximum width you need is 150" (window width x 3 = maximum width needed). So, you will need a curtain (curtain pair or curtain set with a valance in between) with a width somewhere between 75 and 150 inches in order to properly accommodate your windows width and to achieve proper appearance. A few inches difference does not matter.
Guidelines On How To Measure
Please, keep in mind: to measure the size of a curtain correctly, the curtain has to be STRETCHED. In the window the drapes do NOT hang stretched, that is why their width is a little bit smaller than the listed measurement.
Grommet Top Curtains Width Measurement
Grommet panels have maximum width they can stretch to, which is about 20% less then their actual width! It happends because grommets on the rod prevent the curtains from stretching fully. Maximum width is mentioned on every Grommet product description page.
Pinch Pleated Pair of Drapes Width Measurements
Pleated window treatments do not have rod pockets, so they do not get gathered on a curtain rod.
The width of those is measured at the top, where the pleats are. If you use decorative round rod with rings, the width of your window drapery rod is about the width of the curtains you would need. You may want to add a few extra inches for the drapes to reach beyond the window width for better insulation and look.
If you want to use a traverse rod, then you will want the drapes to overlap in the middle and cover the ends (wrap around the rod's corners), you will need to add extra width depending on the distance your rod is positioned away from the wall. Let's say the rod is 4 inches away from the wall; then you will need to add extra 8 inches to your measurements (4 inches on each side of the rod) plus the desired size of the overlap (2-4 inches). In this case the extra width you need to add to your drapes width is 10-14 inches. If your window if 106 inches wide, the width of the drapes you need is 114"-120" wide.
If your traverse rod is positioned 6 inches away from the wall, you will need to add extra 12 inches (6 inches on each side of the rod) plus the preferred size of the overlap in the middle (2-4 inches), which will make total extra required width 14-16 inches. So, if your window if 106" wide, the width of the drapes you need is 120-124 inches wide.
Patio Door Drapes Width Measurements
If you are shopping for patio door drapes (for sliding glass doors), standard width of the door is 96” wide, and standard patio door drapery panel width is 96” wide too. But it is also advisable to have some extra width, wider than the actual width of your door frame. With traverse rods, which open and close with draw string, you might want the drapery panel to pull completely off to the side of the door in order to allow using that door without the drape interfering with its function. We have Custom Width option for 3 drapes styles - Crosby, Fireside and Cornmall.
If you use decorative round rod with rings and clips, the width of your patio door/or drapery rod is about the width of the patio drape you would need. You may add several extra inches for the drape to reach beyond your door width for better insulation and look. If you want the drape to be completely out of the way when it is open you want extra 6-12 inches to do the job. So, if your patio door is 74" wide, the minimal width of the drape you want is 80-86 inches wide.
If you want to use a traverse rod, then you will want the drape to cover the end of the rod (wrap around its corner). This will require at least 3-6 inches of extra width depending on the distance your rod is positioned away from the wall. If the rod is 3 inches away from the wall, then you will need to add extra 3 inches to your measurement. If your traverse rod is positioned 6 inches away from the wall, then you will need to add extra 6 inches on each side of the rod to wrap around rod's corner, which will make total extra width 6 inches. So, if your patio door is 86" wide, the minimal width of the drape you need is 89-94 inches wide.
I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.
So I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me,
"To measure..., to see what is its width and what is its length."
(Zechariah 2:1-2)
