Why is the gap under my curtains uneven across the window?
Updated
The gap under curtains can be uneven because floors and ceilings are rarely level, and curtains hang straight down from the track. Fabric can also settle a little after hanging. A difference caused by a sloping floor is normal. Your retailer can check the track and the drop.
Curtains hang straight down from the track. If the floor under them slopes, or the ceiling the track is fixed to is not level, the gap between the hem and the floor changes across the window. A small difference is common and is not a fault in the curtain.
Common reasons
- The floor is not level. Floors slope and settle, and many are slightly higher at one side of a room.
- The ceiling is not level, so the track sits higher at one end.
- The track is not level.
- The fabric has settled. Most curtains drop a little after they are hung, and heavy fabrics and long drops settle more.
- The curtain was packed folded for a long time and has not yet recovered.
How the drop is measured
A retailer measures the drop at several points across the opening, usually left, middle and right, because floors and ceilings are rarely level. The finished drop is then worked out from the installed track position and the floor clearance you want, not from a single ceiling to floor measurement. The gap you asked for is the gap at the point it was set.
What can be done
If the gap is a little different from one side to the other, it may be an effect of the floor or ceiling rather than the curtain. Ask the installer to check the track with a level. If the track is level and the floor slopes, the gap will follow the floor. If the track is not level, an installer can adjust it. Tell your retailer as soon as you notice it. They can tell you whether the fabric is settling or there is something to fix.
| Cause | What to do |
|---|---|
| Sloping floor | Agree how the gap is set when ordering. |
| Unlevel ceiling or track | Ask the installer to check the track. |
| Settling fabric | Tell your retailer as soon as you notice it. They can tell you whether it is settling or something to fix. |
On a sloping floor, a curtain set to clear the floor where it is highest shows a bigger gap where the floor is lower. If you want the same gap all the way across, say so when you order. The retailer can then measure at several points and explain what is possible on your floor.
Tell your curtain retailer as soon as you notice an uneven gap. They hold your order and site details and can check it. When you order, agree the floor clearance and where it will be set, so it is written on the order.
Other ways people ask this
Why are my curtains different lengths?
Floors and ceilings are rarely level, and fabric settles. Ask your retailer to check the track and the drop.
Why are my curtains touching the floor on one side?
The floor may slope, or the track may sit lower at that end.
Do curtains need to be level with the floor?
A curtain hangs straight. The gap follows the floor, so a level gap needs a level floor.
Can curtains be adjusted after hanging?
Sometimes the track or hooks can be adjusted. Ask the retailer who supplied them.
This answer is general information. For your own windows, your retailer's advice and your order with them come first.