Curtain parts fall into four groups: fabric, heading, hardware and accessories. The names you will meet are pole, track, bracket, finial, ring, hook, tieback, holdback, pelmet and valance.
This guide explains each part in plain English. Every definition comes from a UK curtain maker or retailer, linked where we use it. Suppliers word things differently, so we flag any overlap.
Quick reference
- Fabric parts: lining, hem, weights
- Heading parts: heading tape, pleats, eyelets, tabs
- Hardware: pole, track, brackets, finials, rings, hooks, gliders
- Accessories: tiebacks, holdbacks, pelmets, valances
The Fabric Parts of a Curtain
The fabric side has fewer parts than the hardware side. Each one still changes how the curtain hangs.
- Lining: a blackout lining is thick and blocks light. Thermal lining can also be added to existing curtains.
- Weighted hem: a hem containing weights helps the lower edge hang steadily.
- Cut drop: the length of fabric before hemming.
- Pooling: extra fabric that rests on the floor.
Weights are small metal discs sewn into the hem. They help curtains hang better. Nobody notices them until they go missing.
Curtain Heading Names and Heading Tape
The heading is the top edge of the curtain. It decides how the fabric folds and which hardware you can use.
What Is Heading Tape?
Heading tape gathers the fabric into folds. It also creates space for hooks that attach to rings or tracks.
Pencil pleat curtains use a 3-inch tape. Pinch pleat curtains use a wider 6-inch tape, according to the same supplier.
Heading Styles Compared
| Heading | How it works | Pole | Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pencil pleat | Tape gathers fabric into tight, even folds | Yes | Yes |
| Pinch pleat | Pleats are sewn in permanently | Yes | Yes |
| Eyelet | Metal rings sit in the fabric and the pole threads through | Yes | No |
| Tab top | Fabric loops are stitched to the top edge | Yes | No |
Pole and track compatibility: Aquarius Interiors.
Pinch pleats are the tailored suit of the curtain world. Eyelets are the smart-casual option.
- A pinch pleat is a fixed, sewn-in heading, so it needs an accurate track or pole width.
- The same supplier says tab top curtains suit poles up to 45mm in diameter.
- A wave heading works with a compatible track and glider system. It holds the curtain in regular flowing folds.
- Pencil and pinch pleats close with no gaps at the top. Eyelet and tab top headings leave light gaps at the pole.
Curtain Hardware Names Explained
Hardware holds the whole curtain up. Here are the parts in the order you meet them, from fabric to wall.
- Hook: made of plastic or metal, it attaches the heading tape to the curtain ring.
- Pin hook: a small metal hook pushed into the back of a hand-sewn heading.
- Ring: a ring that attaches the curtain to a pole.
- Glider or runner: a small moving component inside a track. The curtain hook attaches to it.
- Finial: a decorative end piece. It is screwed into both ends of the pole to contain the rings.
- Bracket: a fixing that supports a pole or track. Its type and spacing need to suit the hardware, span and curtain weight.
- Pelmet board: a planed timber board fixed to the wall like a shelf. It supports a track or valance.
How the Parts Connect
- The heading tape sits along the top of the fabric.
- Hooks slot into the tape.
- Hooks clip onto rings on a pole, or onto gliders in a track.
- The pole or track rests on brackets.
- The brackets fix to the wall or ceiling.
Eyelet curtains skip steps two and three. The pole threads straight through the eyelets.
Curtain Accessory Names: Tiebacks, Holdbacks, Pelmets and Valances
These four terms cause the most confusion. This table separates them using one retailer's glossary.
| Accessory | What it is |
|---|---|
| Tieback | A decorative fabric, cord or rope element wrapped around an open curtain |
| Holdback | A fixed, wall-mounted fitting that does not wrap around the curtain |
| Pelmet | A structured top treatment that conceals the heading or track |
| Valance | A soft fabric top treatment, usually gathered, pleated or draped |
Definitions: TM Interiors curtain glossary.
Suppliers do not always agree. One glossary lists tiebacks and holdbacks as near-synonyms. Another notes that people often use "valance" to mean pelmets and cornices too. Read the product description before you buy.
Fixing Terms
- Face fix: fixing the pole or track to the window frame or wall outside the recess with a face fix bracket.
- Recess: the space where a curtain or blind fits, either inside or outside the window opening.
Why Curtain Components Matter for Warmth
The Energy Saving Trust is cited by Groundwork as saying that 18% of heat is lost through windows in an uninsulated house. The Trust also lists heavy thermal curtains among its window energy-saving options.
So the lining you choose matters as much as the pole. Heading choice matters too.
- Choose a thermal lining for cold rooms, or add one to existing curtains.
- Pick pencil or pinch pleats if you want fewer light gaps at the top.
- Remember that curtains work best alongside good glazing, not instead of it.
Common Mistakes When Naming and Buying Curtain Parts
- Guessing the width for pinch pleats. The pleats are fixed, so measure the pole or track accurately.
- Pairing eyelets with a track. Eyelet headings need a pole.
- Skimping on brackets. Heavy curtains need brackets that suit the span and weight.
- Mixing up tiebacks and holdbacks. One wraps the curtain. The other sits on the wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main parts of a curtain?
A curtain has fabric parts, a heading, hardware and accessories. Lining, heading tape, a pole or track, brackets, finials, hooks and tiebacks are the usual names.
What is the difference between a tieback and a holdback?
A tieback wraps around an open curtain. A holdback is a fixed wall fitting that does not wrap around it.
What is the difference between a pelmet and a valance?
A pelmet is structured and hides the heading or track. A valance is soft fabric, usually gathered, pleated or draped.
Can I hang eyelet curtains on a track?
No. Eyelet and tab top headings need a curtain pole.
What does a curtain finial do?
It finishes the end of the pole. It also keeps the rings from sliding off.
Keep Exploring Window and Home Details
Curtains are one layer of a window. If you want a different approach, read our guide on how to select exterior window shutters for maximum security.
Once the windows look right, finish the room. Our article on soft rugs and functional decor covers the floor.
Sources
- TM Interiors: Curtain Glossary
- Fabric Gallery & Interiors: Curtains Glossary
- Fabrics Galore: The Ultimate Curtain Glossary
- Curtains Curtains Curtains: Curtain Heading Styles
- Aquarius Interiors: Curtain Headings Explained
- Voyage Maison: A Guide to Curtain Headings
- Continental Window Fashions: Curtain Construction
- Marburn Curtain: Glossary
- Clear Eye Imp: Curtains Glossary
- Groundwork: Reduce heat loss through windows
- Energy Saving Trust: Energy efficient windows and doors
Curtain parts fall into four groups: fabric, heading, hardware and accessories. The names you will meet are pole, track, bracket, finial, ring, hook, tieback, holdback, pelmet and valance.
This guide explains each part in plain English. Every definition comes from a UK curtain maker or retailer, linked where we use it. Suppliers word things differently, so we flag any overlap.
Quick reference
- Fabric parts: lining, hem, weights
- Heading parts: heading tape, pleats, eyelets, tabs
- Hardware: pole, track, brackets, finials, rings, hooks, gliders
- Accessories: tiebacks, holdbacks, pelmets, valances
The Fabric Parts of a Curtain
The fabric side has fewer parts than the hardware side. Each one still changes how the curtain hangs.
- Lining: a blackout lining is thick and blocks light. Thermal lining can also be added to existing curtains.
- Weighted hem: a hem containing weights helps the lower edge hang steadily.
- Cut drop: the length of fabric before hemming.
- Pooling: extra fabric that rests on the floor.
Weights are small metal discs sewn into the hem. They help curtains hang better. Nobody notices them until they go missing.
Curtain Heading Names and Heading Tape
The heading is the top edge of the curtain. It decides how the fabric folds and which hardware you can use.
What Is Heading Tape?
Heading tape gathers the fabric into folds. It also creates space for hooks that attach to rings or tracks.
Pencil pleat curtains use a 3-inch tape. Pinch pleat curtains use a wider 6-inch tape, according to the same supplier.
Heading Styles Compared
| Heading | How it works | Pole | Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pencil pleat | Tape gathers fabric into tight, even folds | Yes | Yes |
| Pinch pleat | Pleats are sewn in permanently | Yes | Yes |
| Eyelet | Metal rings sit in the fabric and the pole threads through | Yes | No |
| Tab top | Fabric loops are stitched to the top edge | Yes | No |
Pole and track compatibility: Aquarius Interiors.
Pinch pleats are the tailored suit of the curtain world. Eyelets are the smart-casual option.
- A pinch pleat is a fixed, sewn-in heading, so it needs an accurate track or pole width.
- The same supplier says tab top curtains suit poles up to 45mm in diameter.
- A wave heading works with a compatible track and glider system. It holds the curtain in regular flowing folds.
- Pencil and pinch pleats close with no gaps at the top. Eyelet and tab top headings leave light gaps at the pole.
Curtain Hardware Names Explained
Hardware holds the whole curtain up. Here are the parts in the order you meet them, from fabric to wall.
- Hook: made of plastic or metal, it attaches the heading tape to the curtain ring.
- Pin hook: a small metal hook pushed into the back of a hand-sewn heading.
- Ring: a ring that attaches the curtain to a pole.
- Glider or runner: a small moving component inside a track. The curtain hook attaches to it.
- Finial: a decorative end piece. It is screwed into both ends of the pole to contain the rings.
- Bracket: a fixing that supports a pole or track. Its type and spacing need to suit the hardware, span and curtain weight.
- Pelmet board: a planed timber board fixed to the wall like a shelf. It supports a track or valance.
How the Parts Connect
- The heading tape sits along the top of the fabric.
- Hooks slot into the tape.
- Hooks clip onto rings on a pole, or onto gliders in a track.
- The pole or track rests on brackets.
- The brackets fix to the wall or ceiling.
Eyelet curtains skip steps two and three. The pole threads straight through the eyelets.
Curtain Accessory Names: Tiebacks, Holdbacks, Pelmets and Valances
These four terms cause the most confusion. This table separates them using one retailer's glossary.
| Accessory | What it is |
|---|---|
| Tieback | A decorative fabric, cord or rope element wrapped around an open curtain |
| Holdback | A fixed, wall-mounted fitting that does not wrap around the curtain |
| Pelmet | A structured top treatment that conceals the heading or track |
| Valance | A soft fabric top treatment, usually gathered, pleated or draped |
Definitions: TM Interiors curtain glossary.
Suppliers do not always agree. One glossary lists tiebacks and holdbacks as near-synonyms. Another notes that people often use "valance" to mean pelmets and cornices too. Read the product description before you buy.
Fixing Terms
- Face fix: fixing the pole or track to the window frame or wall outside the recess with a face fix bracket.
- Recess: the space where a curtain or blind fits, either inside or outside the window opening.
Why Curtain Components Matter for Warmth
The Energy Saving Trust is cited by Groundwork as saying that 18% of heat is lost through windows in an uninsulated house. The Trust also lists heavy thermal curtains among its window energy-saving options.
So the lining you choose matters as much as the pole. Heading choice matters too.
- Choose a thermal lining for cold rooms, or add one to existing curtains.
- Pick pencil or pinch pleats if you want fewer light gaps at the top.
- Remember that curtains work best alongside good glazing, not instead of it.
Common Mistakes When Naming and Buying Curtain Parts
- Guessing the width for pinch pleats. The pleats are fixed, so measure the pole or track accurately.
- Pairing eyelets with a track. Eyelet headings need a pole.
- Skimping on brackets. Heavy curtains need brackets that suit the span and weight.
- Mixing up tiebacks and holdbacks. One wraps the curtain. The other sits on the wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main parts of a curtain?
A curtain has fabric parts, a heading, hardware and accessories. Lining, heading tape, a pole or track, brackets, finials, hooks and tiebacks are the usual names.
What is the difference between a tieback and a holdback?
A tieback wraps around an open curtain. A holdback is a fixed wall fitting that does not wrap around it.
What is the difference between a pelmet and a valance?
A pelmet is structured and hides the heading or track. A valance is soft fabric, usually gathered, pleated or draped.
Can I hang eyelet curtains on a track?
No. Eyelet and tab top headings need a curtain pole.
What does a curtain finial do?
It finishes the end of the pole. It also keeps the rings from sliding off.
Keep Exploring Window and Home Details
Curtains are one layer of a window. If you want a different approach, read our guide on how to select exterior window shutters for maximum security.
Once the windows look right, finish the room. Our article on soft rugs and functional decor covers the floor.
Sources
- TM Interiors: Curtain Glossary
- Fabric Gallery & Interiors: Curtains Glossary
- Fabrics Galore: The Ultimate Curtain Glossary
- Curtains Curtains Curtains: Curtain Heading Styles
- Aquarius Interiors: Curtain Headings Explained
- Voyage Maison: A Guide to Curtain Headings
- Continental Window Fashions: Curtain Construction
- Marburn Curtain: Glossary
- Clear Eye Imp: Curtains Glossary
- Groundwork: Reduce heat loss through windows
- Energy Saving Trust: Energy efficient windows and doors