Outdoor Drapes Measuring Guide

Measuring outdoor drapes

Measuring Guide for our Commercial and Residential Customers:


How to Measure Outdoor Draperies:

How to measure the total width of your drapes:The total width of your outdoor drapes should be measured straight across (in inches) and multiply by 1.5. This will allow enough fabric to be pulled back when you want to open your outdoor curtains or drapes.

How to measure the total height of your drapes:The total height should be measured where you want your drapes to hang (either right on the floor of your outdoor room or a few inches above) to 1/4" above where your mounted pole will be.

Rod Pocket: The most popular way to hang your outdoor drapes is by a wooden or metal pole where the Sunbrella furniture grade fabric pocket is sewn at the top and slid through the opening. The measurements are taken from the top of where the pole will be mounted to the floor of your outdoor room (E). Please note that there is some rod “take-up” when the material is gathered onto the pole. Add 1” to the finished length for smaller rods and 2” for rods 2” in diameter or larger.

Tie Top and Tab Top: These hang below the rod with the top of the panel about 1-2” from the bottom of the rod. If you are tying your outdoor drapes to rings they'll hang about 1” below the ring.

Panels that are hung from rings: Measure from the bottom of the ring to the floor of your outdoor room (D). Please be sure that your pole is up high enough that the bottom of the ring is higher than the top of the window molding.  

Functional Panels: If your panels are to function - that is, open and close to cover the entire window - you'll need to provide measurement (F). In most cases, adding 4-8” beyond your open or closed window frame (A) on each side is recommended. If you need the panels to completely clear the entire window and frame when opened, your pole width (F) needs to be approximately 30% larger than the window width (A) for pleated panels or 20% larger for flat top panels. 

Non-Functional Panels: Panels that are non-functional (just decorative) can be ordered as side panels. Specify if you would like single width panels, 1.5 width panels, or double width panels.

A - Outside window frame to outside frame
B - Top window frame to bottom of frame
C - Top  of pole to top of molding
D - Bottom of ring to floor
E - Top  of pole to top to floor
F - Width of pole - NOT including finials **Please feel free to contact us any time if you require assistance in determining sizes.

Measuring Guide for our Commercial and Residential Customers:


How to Measure Outdoor Draperies:

How to measure the total width of your drapes:The total width of your outdoor drapes should be measured straight across (in inches) and multiply by 1.5. This will allow enough fabric to be pulled back when you want to open your outdoor curtains or drapes.

How to measure the total height of your drapes:The total height should be measured where you want your drapes to hang (either right on the floor of your outdoor room or a few inches above) to 1/4" above where your mounted pole will be.

Rod Pocket: The most popular way to hang your outdoor drapes is by a wooden or metal pole where the Sunbrella furniture grade fabric pocket is sewn at the top and slid through the opening. The measurements are taken from the top of where the pole will be mounted to the floor of your outdoor room (E). Please note that there is some rod “take-up” when the material is gathered onto the pole. Add 1” to the finished length for smaller rods and 2” for rods 2” in diameter or larger.

Tie Top and Tab Top: These hang below the rod with the top of the panel about 1-2” from the bottom of the rod. If you are tying your outdoor drapes to rings they'll hang about 1” below the ring.

Panels that are hung from rings: Measure from the bottom of the ring to the floor of your outdoor room (D). Please be sure that your pole is up high enough that the bottom of the ring is higher than the top of the window molding.  

Functional Panels: If your panels are to function - that is, open and close to cover the entire window - you'll need to provide measurement (F). In most cases, adding 4-8” beyond your open or closed window frame (A) on each side is recommended. If you need the panels to completely clear the entire window and frame when opened, your pole width (F) needs to be approximately 30% larger than the window width (A) for pleated panels or 20% larger for flat top panels. 

Non-Functional Panels: Panels that are non-functional (just decorative) can be ordered as side panels. Specify if you would like single width panels, 1.5 width panels, or double width panels.

A - Outside window frame to outside frame
B - Top window frame to bottom of frame
C - Top  of pole to top of molding
D - Bottom of ring to floor
E - Top  of pole to top to floor
F - Width of pole - NOT including finials **Please feel free to contact us any time if you require assistance in determining sizes.


SKU #: