Pelmet Guidance

There is further information on our frequently asked questions page.

Surveying the situation prior to the measuring

This guidance is intended for those rooms which have 2 or more windows

Survey the windows in question by standing back from the windows and looking at them objectively either from the centre of the room or as though you have just walked through the door into the room.

If you have a pair of windows either next to each other (side by side) or split by a chimney breast / pillar or wall, they would in the main be treated as a pair, as such the variables may only be the widths of the windows in which case they may require different fullness’s.

Also if one window has patio or French doors and the other a radiator under it which you may feel it advisable to have shorter curtains in which case each pair would be a different length.

If it is your intention use a patterned material it is advisable to ensure the patterns run across / match through both pairs ( inc pelmets and valances)

In effect not much different to matching wallpaper which when you walk into a room normally isn’t noticeable unless it hasn’t been matched in which case it looks awful!

If you have three or more windows, and there happens to be an odd one, don’t ignore it!

As these windows need to be addressed in a manner which compliments the others with out necessarily dictating the terms

Measuring Instructions

Stand about 3 metres back and look at the window objectively.

Is it your intention just to dress the window with a pelmet?

Or is it to be used in conjunction with a blind that you either have, or are intending to acquire, in which case are you putting the blind in the recess or outside the recess?

Note. If you are contemplating having a Roman Blind, because they have a fairly deep ‘stack’ when raised, they are better outside the recess and the head rail / batton positioned 250 mm above the head of the window

Do you have an existing curtain rail in place and are you happy with it?

Does it get the curtain fullness / material back far enough out of the window

Would you prefer it was longer?

Note. Remember the wider the window, the more fabric is required to cover it, which in turn means the track needs to be extended further past the recess to accommodate the curtain when drawn back

Is there a wall or unit near one end of the window which is restricting the length of rail?

If so, it is common to make both ends equal or this will affect the symmetry of the window and throw the balance off centre.

Note. Designs that are shown are a guide sometimes they require adjustment to match dimensions of your pelmet.

Width of Pelmet (A)

needs to be 40 to 50 mms longer than the existing or proposed curtain track which in effect will allow a clearance of 15 to 20 mm clearance at each end between the end of the track/rail and the inside of the pelmet.

Tolerances: ±5mm / Restrictions: (Min 600mm to Max 3000mm)

Projection of Pelmet (B)

Distance back to front also known as the return or depth of the pelmet. This measurement will depend on what you are using the pelmet for, if its purely decorative then the projection will be minimal and if you are having the roundered ends they will be dependant on which radius you are using. (the website order sheet will respond to a negative input)

Tolerances: ±5mm / Restrictions: (Min 30mm to Max 170mm)

Minimum Height of Pelmet (C)

This measurement is very important as it governs every thing you want to cover and hide. Architrave / mouldings / trickle vents / tracks / curtain headings etc. You may not see this measurement if you are ordering a pelmet in a style that is flat along the front. It applies when you are ordering a pelmet such as a classic or arch that has a cut away.

Tolerances: ±5mm / Restrictions: (Min 100mm to Max 350mm)

Maximum Height of Pelmet (D)

This is the height from the bottom of the pelmet to the top. If you are ordering a pelmet in a style that is not flat along the front you need to make this at least 50mm greater than C so that there is room for the style shape to be cut out and the cut out does not look squashed.

Tolerances: ±5mm / Restrictions: (Min 100mm to Max 350mm)

Very large Pelmets

We can make very large pelmets, but you need to phone or email us with what you want:

• Exact length, projection, depth.
• What shape do you want it?
• What finish do you want it white primer / undercoat or did you want us to cover it in your own material?
• Where you want it delivered

We recommend with longer pelmets they have boxed / square returns.

We make large pelmets in thicker 5.5mm Far Eastern Ply (Better, stronger and lighter than MDF)

The face will probably need to be joined. However we endeavor to have the top board made in one length, solid softwood 18-20 mm thick to ensure the pelmet retains its strength in the longer length.

We need to know your delivery / postcode as the carriage costs go up significantly on longer parcels (Especially over 3 meters) as the couriers calculate on volumetric sizes and a two-man service.

When we have all the relevant information, we will be able to quote and edit your order accordingly.

Fitting Instructions

Our pelmets are manufactured with top boards that are the back bone and main strength of the pelmet. It can be used to support a curtain track or blind.

The rest of the structure Face, Ends and Curved Corners if required are attached to it.

We supply ‘L’ brackets to support this complete with screws and rawl plugs.

If required we will supply *spacers (foc) to compensate for the bracket thickness discrepancy.
*Spacers are only valid (foc) providing they are requested with initial order, this is to avoid postage and admin.

Your pelmet will be delivered with the designated correct number and size brackets required to support the structure. It will also have the correct amount of screws and raw-plugs to fix this to 90% of most walls.

We recommend that you aim to place the bottom edge of your pelmet level with the top of the glass pane, so you retain maximum light. When planning where to put your brackets measure the internal height of the pelmet.
For example if the pelmet has a 20 cm face depth it will have an 18 cm internal height from the underside of the top board to the bottom. Therefore; The top of the bracket would need to be 18 cm above the level of the glass (or where you decide you would prefer it). If you have a center support bracket I would recommend that you fit this bracket first, the end brackets need to be positioned 75mm - 100mm from the end of the pelmet.

It is recommended the end brackets are placed between 100 mm to 150mm from the ends the brackets should be between 1000mm to 1200 mm apart. Other brackets provided should be fitted an equal distance between these. The number of brackets is variable dependent on the length, height and projection of the pelmet which affects the weight. Once all brackets are secured the pelmet can then be placed on the brackets and screwed from underneath to hold it in place.

On average we supply either a centre or intermediate brackets when the pelmet is longer than 1400 mm. For tools you will require a Hammer drill, Tape Measure, Pencil, Spirit level and Philips screwdriver.

Guidance on Painting

If it is your intention to paint the pelmet or attach / glue an alternative face material to it, we would advise you to rub the face of the pelmet down using a 120 grit sandpaper, this will give the composite a better key for paint adhesion. You may require a primer.

This will scratch the current surface and in effect it will offer better adhesion qualities for either the paint or the glue.

Paint is best applied by a mini roller as this will give a better finish. Its best to use water based paints.

Please try your paint or stain on an small area first or on a sample of pelmet material to check that the service is not damaged, especially with veneered pelmets. The veneer is attached to the pelmet surface with adhesive and there is a small risk of chemical incompatibility.

Covering your Pelmet in Fabric

We would recommend you keep it basic if your doing this yourself for the first time. Choose square ends and plain, these options will be simpler to cover. Should you be more adventurous and prefer a shape, this can be done but it’s more difficult to cover neatly. At the bottom under finish’s choose 'with polyester wadding 10mm on face'.

If it is your intention to cover the pelmet yourself using your own material and you are stapling the material on to the pelmet please ensure that the staples are not longer than 5mm. We use commercial pneumatic staple guns to do this. Some of the clients we supply use electric staple guns or glue.
The pelmet itself is made of a composite material (especially for all rounded and chamfered ends) or a far eastern ply for those with square / box ends. The composite material can still be stapled but requires more caution than the ply.

We are currently investigating an option of using a double sided sticky tape which should aid our DIY customers. We will be doing trials on this in the near future and offer this to customers to see how they get on with it.

When you are supplying us with your own fabric for us to cover your pelmet, please tell us:

• which is front and back
• which is the top and bottom
• what direction you want the pile to run if applicable

This seems silly when we say it here but with geometric designs and reversable fabrics its sometimes not obvious.

We usually cover the interior in a plain fabric to complete the piece when we cover the exterior in fabric. In a large pelmet depending on the position you may be able to see some of the interior when looking through the window from outside. If you want to have a certain colour of fabric on the inside please tell us and we can include that in any quote and discuss it with you.

You can always call us to discuss, Graham likes talking and although he goes on a bit sometimes he knows a lot about haberdashery, he has been doing it for decades.

You may be interested in our page about pelmets covered in bump/wadding.

Covering your Pelmet in Wallpaper

You can cover your pelmet in wallpaper, some customers have with pleasing results.
Its best to test the adhesive first on the rear of your pelmet. Your pelmet will be made of either plywood or composite (plastic) and that is not usually the sort of surface you apply wallpaper to so its worthwhile testing. You may achieve better adhesion if you lightly sand the surface with an 120 grit sand paper.

Redecoration

We aim for your pelmets to last a very long time. You may wish to redecorate in the future.
If in the future you wished to you could alter a painted pelmet to cover in your own fabric. Its probably not feasible to do the reverse because stapling fabric and then pulling it off tends to damage the surface. Also any bump/padding tends to be stuck to the face, so you would probably never manage the desired smoothness of surface.

You could always paint a plain or veneer finished pelmet later (read more about painting).

Payment - Paypal

We are currently using paypal as our payment provider, if you don't have or want an account with Paypal thats fair enough. There should be an option underneath the login when you go to payment labeled something like "Pay with debit or credit cards" you can click there enter your card details in the form and just tick that you don't wish to create an account.

They move the design around occasionally and the experience differs slightly according to where you are in the world and what device your using and they seem sometimes to be more or less pushy about trying to sell you a paypal account.
If you having issues with payment, email or call Graham using the details below.

Unpacking and receiving

Our packaging is your assurance and our insurance that the contents are delivered in good condition.

When you receive your pelmet from the couriers please check all-over that the pelmet packaging is not damaged. If packaging looks damaged in a manner that would concern you, that the contents may be effected, inform the courier, sign for it accordingly, it’s imperative that you take a photo at this time.
If you sign for the goods ‘Received as in good condition’ it is extremely difficult or impossible for us to pursue a claim.

In some cases it takes as long to package our pelmets as it takes to make them.
Please take care when unpacking it, as the staples we use to make the crate are sharp and damage can occur to the pelmet if unpacked without due care and attention. It can take 15 / 20+ minutes to unpack the contents. Don’t rush it!

The crates are custom made to hold your pelmets. The top and base is made first, then your pelmets are placed on the base, the top is fitted next. The side and end panels are stapled to secure the top to the bottom. The staples are very sharp take care opening and removing the packaging!

1. Place the package with the arrows pointing upwards
2. If the crate has been strapped remove these
3. If your crate has screws at the top of the upright remove these and the lid should lift off.
   Otherwise
   Lever the 3+ staples open on the side panels with a traditional flat screwdriver.
4. Once all these fixings are removed the top section can be taken off freely, giving access to the contents.
5. Then you can lift the pelmet out in its polythene protection.
6. The pelmets protection can be easily removed using scissors or a knife be careful not to damage the pelmets themselves especially those that have been covered in material.

Fittings (Brackets, screws and raw-plugs) are attached to the inside of the pelmet.

Please note there is a protective film on the face of the pelmet, you will need to remove this once fitted.

Hope this helps if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.