Purchasing drapery and measuring?

30484380
by 30484380
If I measure the length and width of my window, how much do I add to each in order to determine the panel size to purchase?

  7 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 05, 2017

    That depends on when you want to drapery to end.Do you want it at the sill or to the floor

  • Dfm Dfm on Oct 05, 2017

    the usual answer is to double the width. So if you have a 5 ft wide window, you would need about 10 feet of window fabric. Make sure you read how wide the curtian panels are. I've had panels that 2 of them covered a picture window and then there are the ones that are all of 2 feet wide. If you want fuller go with a few more. I'm in a shake and bake climent. really hot summers, really cold winters. I have insulated curtains and they do help.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Oct 05, 2017

    The total width of the panels you are buying should be at least twice the width of the window. If you want really full folds, it can be triple. So, if you want two panels on the window, the width of both panels should be at least twice the measured width for "normal" folds and triple for deep folds.

  • CK CK on Oct 05, 2017

    onExample: If your window measures 36" wide (window width x 2 = 72"), you need curtains that will give a minimum width of 72" or 2 panels for that window. Depending the width of the panels you're purchasing, this equation will give about 100" to 120" of width which will look nice and full. Always round up to the next full number.


    If you want to install your curtains so when open they don't cover any of the window, you'll need to mount your rods so they extend out beyond the edges of the window frame. I generally like to use about 6-8" of 'extension' beyond the window if there's enough wall space. Then measure that width (end of rod to end of rod) and take that x 2 to determine your number of panels.


    As to length--- The higher you can mount your panels on the wall the more elegant look you'll have and your walls will look taller. Most full length curtains in big box stores come in 84". Those will be mounted at the top of the window frame and should fall about level with the floor. If you want to mount them higher, you'll need to look for panels that are about 95 - 96" long. (Usually places like Target, Walmart, JCPenny's, Hobby Lobby will not stock this length so they'll need to be special ordered online.)


    Hope that helps :-)

  • Sharon moore Sharon moore on Oct 05, 2017

    I usually do 1 1/2 times the width at least for best drape. If window measures 36 inches get a 54 inch width


  • Susan Susan on Oct 05, 2017

    I'm not good at figuring so i ask the gals at fabric store they are pretty good at assisting.