Windows & Furnishings · 8 min read · Beginner
Curtain Headings, Poles & Tracks Explained
Compare common curtain headings and understand how eyelets, pencil pleats, pinch pleats and wave-style curtains affect fullness, hardware and measuring.
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Key points & steps
- Choose the hanging system before finalising curtain measurements. A decorative pole, conventional track and wave-compatible track each present the curtain differently and can need different heading hardware.
- Eyelet curtains run directly on a compatible pole, so pole diameter, finials, bracket positions and the distance from the top of the eyelet to the curtain edge affect the finished drop.
- Pencil-pleat tape is adjustable and can normally be used with hooks on a track or rings on a pole. The heading is gathered to the required width rather than supplied as a fixed pleat pattern.
- Pinch-pleat and similar tailored headings use structured pleats and are normally made to a more specific finished width. Use the maker’s fullness and hook/hardware guidance rather than treating them like adjustable pencil pleats.
- Wave-style curtains need a compatible track/glider system that controls the regular folds. The required fabric fullness and stack-back are determined by the chosen wave system.
- For all headings, measure the usable pole or track length rather than the glass width alone, and account for overlap/returns where the chosen system uses them.
- Check bracket support for the real curtain weight. Long spans, heavy interlining or blackout fabrics can require extra supports and stronger substrate fixings.
- Plan the finished drop from the actual hanging point used by the heading type, not from one generic “top of pole” datum.
- If ordering made-to-measure curtains, use the supplier’s own measurement terminology because some request finished curtain dimensions while others guide you from pole/track dimensions.
Practical tips
- Heading type changes both appearance and required fabric quantity, so choose it before calculating metres of fabric.
- Wave curtains are a system, not simply a visual pleat; they need compatible track spacing/components.
- A beautiful heavy curtain can still fail if the pole brackets are fixed into an unsuitable wall substrate.
What you may need
- Chosen heading style
- Pole/track specification
- Curtain weight/fabric information
- Supplier fullness guidance
- Wall-fixing information