Silentgliss Metropole

[SunnyUpNorth]

We need to have curtains made for a bay window. There is a black wrought iron pole up already but the previous owners just had sheer, voile curtains and we want quite heavy lined curtains. The curtain lady said the existing pole won't take the weight of what we want. The drop is quite long (about 3 metres) so we do need to get something quite robust.

I really, really don't want a pelmet so that rules out a track pretty much. I have heard about the Silentgliss Metropole that looks like a pole but has a concealed track so it is a good compromise. Has anyone used one?

Curtain lady said they are pricey but she hasn't come back to me with a quote yet. Does anyone know roughly how much they are?

Thanks

Are you sure the existing pole will be inadequate. I have recently bought a track for a bay window and was led to believe that tracks are for light/medium weight curtains usually and poles are better for heavy curtains. The metropole one might be stronger but I wonder whether your existing pole could be strenghened with extra brackets?

Some poles/tracks are bloody expensive so could save you quite a bit.

Thanks for your reply. All I have to go on is what the curtain lady said and I don't know anything about such things. I think the problem is that it is only supported by 3 brackets - one at either end and one bang in the middle (there are three windows in the bay).

She had mentioned about possibly getting 2 extra brackets to support the two bends but I think she had trouble sourcing these. I did a quick google search and actually found a couple of places quite easily that I could get brackets from. But I believe the problem then is getting the curtains on rings that can pass over the extra brackets. Not sure how good they are.

She said that if we have rings on the curtains, as they are quite high and quite big, that the tugging on them to close them will add extra stress to the brackets and over time they could pull out of the wall.

Its one of those things where it could be fine, but I have no way of knowing. I suppose we could always take the risk and then get a new pole if it didn't work out.

Thats why I was interested in knowing the costings as if it is not too much extra we may aswell go for it and do it properly. I have left a message for a local metropole rep to see if she can offer any advice.

I think I am now always suspicious as I have had some bad expeirences with only getting one quote or one lot of advice!

Sounds like she might know what she is talking about though. I think, for me, it would depend on the cost of the track Vs. extra brackets. Some of the normal tracks in John Lewis were about £150 which was a shock.

Sunny we have ordered one of these for a large bay with tall windows, same drop as you (we crdered on the curtain maker's recommendation). It will be going up in the next week so can let you know how we find it if you like.

Not sure exactly of price as we ordered two poles at the same time but it was very expensive even after the curtain maker passing on her discount to me. This might have been as she knows I did Interiors work and knew she woudl get a trade discount but always worth asking.
Feel free to pm me if you'd like more info.

If it is a true pole with no concealed track, you can only have brackets at the ends and middle, or they will get in the way of the curtains.

Poles with concealed track are very common. JL and Homebase are both good for tracks.

BTW remember the screws have to go at least an inch into the brickwork. Plaster has no strength. Deduct the thickness of plaster or plasterboard from the screw length, you will need a 35mm or so screw. The screws and plugs supplied with track are usually too small.

Some metal poles (Cameron Fuller, for instance) have 'passing' rings so that they will pass over a bracket - they're 'C' shaped with just enough of a gap left to let them pass. Have a look on their website to see if your pole looks like one they sell, and if so your curtain maker should be able to get them for you. It does make curtains a little trickier to pull, so you should make sure the fixings are good. You could also consider using a draw rod attached to the curtains to make it easier.

you're right, I'd forgotten about them

Thanks all. I know about the c-shaped rings but I wasn't sure how easy they would be to use.

I didn't know that homebase etc did their own version of the metropole. I'll check that out.

I don't think my curtain lady is trying to rip me off but I am not sure she is that well informed despite the fact that she works for a v large local fabric company and we are paying for her interior advice service (redeemable against the curtains)!

Panacotta - that would be great if you could let me know how you get on with yours.

Thanks again all.

Piglet I don't see how you can be expected to be an expert in plumbing, building and curtains!

Swish also used to do pass over rings and brackets, but they'll need to be for the same diameter as your existing pole. With such a long drop they may be difficult to move the curtains around as it'll be more difficult to give them a "flick" around the corner IYSWIM

I have never had a metropole on a bay window, but have had a straight run and a silent gliss shower curtain rail (with a bend) and both were a joy to pull. I imagine it'll be waaay more than £150 because the bends will be custom put in specifically for your window. Do consider it though. Do not underestimate the annoyance of curtains that are tricky to pull.

At the end of the day you have to go with what suits your purse. You can always get the curtains and then the pole later if the other pole buckles under the weight of the new curtains.

Incidentally, if it's a telescopic pole, in my experience, it will buckle. Go for the Metropole now if that's the case.

yes we have them through our house now, some with pull cord and some without and they are fab. Loads of people have commented how good they are . If you don't mind the price, you won't regret it!

Silentgliss are the Rolls Royce of tracks