Cord drawn curtains - but on existing track?

[worthofbostworlds]

I've got a large bay window in my bedroom and I am struggling to close the curtains properly. It is a lot of effort.

I would love cord drawn curtains, where I could open and close them by pulling on the cord.

However I would rather not go to the trouble and expense of having to change the existing curtain rail.

Does anybody know if there is some sort of corded attachment which I can add to the existing curtain rail in order to have the curtains closed and opened using a cord?

I have tried googling but it's hard to know what to type! I am not sure of the names etc or what I am asking for.

I suspect it may not be possible and that I would just have to replace the entire rail, but I thought I'd ask and see if anyone has any ideas.

Swish brand do the type of thing that you want but it’s the whole thing. Not what you wanted to hear.

You definitely need to buy the tracks.

They do last though so are a good investment.

We bought one recently from Dunelm.

I don't think a cord-drawn system is possible without changing the track because the cord and track are always integrated together as a unified system.

However there are various motorised curtain gadgets like e.g. this https://www.amazon.co.uk/SwitchBot-Smart-Automatic-Curtain-Opener/dp/B0C6XVXPCC/ wwhich clip to ordinary curtain tracks and pull your curtains controlled by your phone.

Thank you @Autumnlife and @suburburban....I suspected that might be the case.

It's a big, awkward shaped window and it has a wooden plinth thing covering the curtain track, and changing it would be a big job that I just can't face at the moment.

Will just need to struggle on with doing it manually for now then!

Thank you @DustyAmuseAlien!

That is exactly the type of thing I had in mind but didn't know what to search for.

It looks great but unfortunately don't think it will work for me.

I have pencil pleat curtains on the old fashioned gliders.

I have limited mobility in my shoulder, so closing them is a struggle. But I suspect even if I could get that device to attach to my rail, it would not have the strength to close them.

They don't glide smoothly like curtains on curtain rings, it is a bit of an effort to close them.

I suspect you need a handyperson to come and install a new rail that works for you then. If your mobility issues amount to a disability you may be able to apply for a grant to help with the cost. Go on the turn2us website to see if there are any local small charities that might be able to help.

Thank you, i will take a look.

Sounds a little like my old one wooden track with the rail attached to the wood. When we replaced the curtain track we left the metal on so the new rail sat on the wood

Would it help to lubrricate the track and runners with silicone? Hair serum works.

Draw rods might help as well