Curtains for Tilt and Turn Windows: Best Solutions for Every Home

Hi there! James here from Dolcewe.com. I've helped thousands of customers find perfect curtains for their homes. Today, I want to talk about tilt and turn windows and the best curtains for them.

These special windows can open in two ways. They can tilt from the top or swing open like a door. This makes them great for air flow but tricky for curtains. Let's solve this problem together!

Key Takeaways

What Are Tilt and Turn Windows?

Tilt and turn windows come from Europe. They are now popular in many American homes too. These windows work in two ways:

• When you tilt the window, it opens from the top for a bit of fresh air
• When you turn the window, it swings open fully like a door

This design helps you get more air in your room. It also makes cleaning easier. You can clean the outside glass from inside your home.

Many people love these windows but face one big problem. Regular curtains can get in the way when the window tilts or turns. You need special curtain solutions for them to work right.

Common Curtain Problems with Tilt and Turn Windows

When you have tilt and turn windows, regular curtains might cause these issues:

Have you faced any of these problems? Don't worry! I'll show you how to fix them all.

How to Measure Your Tilt and Turn Windows

Before you buy curtains, you must measure your windows the right way. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Measure window width Take a tape measure. Find the total width of your window frame. Write this down.

Step 2: Measure window height Measure from the top of the frame to the bottom sill. Write this down too.

Step 3: Note the handle location Check where the window handle sits. Measure how far it sticks out.

Step 4: Measure the tilt space Open your window in tilt mode. Measure how much it sticks in at the top.

Step 5: Measure the turn clearance Open your window in turn mode. Measure the space it needs to swing open.

Use these numbers when you shop for curtains. This will help you find the right fit.

Best Curtain Options for Tilt and Turn Windows

Not all curtains work well with these special windows. Here are the top 5 options that do:

1. Ceiling-Mounted Track Curtains

Ceiling tracks work great for tilt and turn windows. They hold the curtains up high and out of the way.

How they work: The track sits on your ceiling. Curtains hang down from it. When you open your window, just pull the curtains aside.

Best for: Big tilt and turn windows that need full access. Check our ceiling mount tracks

2. Deep-Set Curtain Rods

Deep-set rods mount further from your window than normal rods. This gives your window space to open.

How they work: The rod sits 4-6 inches from the window. This lets the window tilt or turn without hitting the curtains.

Best for: Rooms where you still want the look of normal curtains.

3. Café Curtains

Café curtains only cover the bottom half of your window. This works great with tilt and turn styles.

How they work: The curtain rod sits halfway up your window. The top half stays clear for tilting.

Best for: Kitchens and bathrooms where you want some privacy but also light.

4. Roman Blinds

Roman blinds fold up neatly when not in use. They don't get in the way of window movement.

How they work: When up, they stack in a small space. When down, they cover the whole window.

Best for: Modern homes with clean design styles.

5. Tension Rod Curtains Inside the Frame

Tension rods fit inside your window frame. They hold small curtains that don't block movement.

How they work: The rod sits in the frame itself. Curtains stay inside the frame too.

Best for: Small tilt and turn windows or rental homes where you can't drill holes.

6. Glide/Wave Curtains

These curtains slide smoothly along a discreet ceiling track, moving elegantly out of the way when required. No matter how you tilt or turn the window, the curtains adjust seamlessly thanks to the flexible track system.

Pleated Curtains

Pleated curtains mounted very close to the frame adapt well to tilt action thanks to neatly arranged pleats. The narrow stack also takes up little space for turn operation.

Fabric Choices That Work Best

The right fabric makes a big difference for tilt and turn window curtains:

Which fabric looks best in your home? Think about how often you'll open your windows. Light fabrics work better with windows you open a lot.

Installation Tips for Tilt and Turn Window Curtains

Follow these tips to install your curtains the right way:

Mount hardware high enough. Put curtain rods at least 4 inches above your window. This lets the window tilt freely.

Use wider rods than your window. Choose a rod that extends 8-12 inches past each side of your window. This lets curtains open fully.

Check clearance before drilling. Hold your curtain rod in place. Open and close your window to check for any blocks.

Use proper anchors in walls. Tilt and turn curtains may need stronger mounts. Use wall anchors that can hold the weight.

Test before finishing. Hang one curtain panel first. Test your window in both tilt and turn modes before adding all panels.

Do you feel ready to install your own curtains? If not, many stores offer install services too.

Caring for Your Tilt and Turn Window Curtains

Keep your curtains looking great with these easy care tips:

Dust them weekly. Use your vacuum's brush tool on low power. This removes dust before it builds up.

Wash as directed. Check the care tag on your curtains. Most can be washed at home on gentle cycle.

Rehang when damp. Put curtains back up while slightly damp. This helps wrinkles fall out on their own.

Check hardware monthly. Make sure all screws and mounts stay tight. Tighten any loose parts.

Keep tracks clean. If you use track systems, wipe the tracks with a dry cloth. This helps curtains slide smoothly.

Good care makes your curtains last longer. It also keeps your windows working well.

Understanding Your Needs

When choosing curtains for tilt and turn windows, there are a few important things to consider:

Window Measurements

Getting the dimensions right is crucial for the curtains to fit properly and work with your windows.

Take careful measurements of both the height and width. Remember to measure across the entire window frame opening.

For tilt and turn models, also check if there is enough depth for your desired curtains.

Functionality

Think about how you plan to use the tilt and turn functionality.

Do you need maximum ventilation and easy cleaning access or is privacy a bigger priority?

The curtains can either fully cover the window when closed or allow the top sash to tilt while partially drawn.

Some can conveniently slide out of the way along a smooth track.

Light Control

Light filtering curtains let in a soft, diffused light. Blackout curtains block external light for sleeping or media rooms. 

Thermal curtains can increase your energy efficiency and reduce your energy bills.

Sheer curtains provide basic coverage while allowing light through.

Consider the level of light control you want at various times.

Style and Looks

The possibilities are endless when dressing up your windows!

Choose curtain styles like pleated, grommet, panels and more paired with beautiful fabrics like faux silk or linen in colors and patterns that fit your internal decor.

Let me know your priorities for each of these considerations and we can narrow down the options that will work best!

Shop Quality Custom Curtains

Ready to browse some curtain options and get a tailored solution for your tilt and turn windows?

At Doclewe.com, we offer beautiful, custom-sized curtains in a wide range of:

• Styles - Rod pocket, back tab, pleated and more

• Fabrics - Faux silks, linen, velvets, cotton, and beyond

• Colors - Vibrant, neutral, dramatic - select from hundreds

• Patterns - Florals, geometrics, stripes, solids

• Headers - Grommets, back tabs, ring tops

I work with our expert sewing team to custom-make each curtain order to your exact window measurements.

Our curtains start at just $26.99 per panel with free shipping over $199.

Shop Today and Let's get your windows styled perfectly.