Curtain Hanging Methods

Curtains can be hung on a track, a rod or a decorative pole. It all depends on the style of heading you choose, the weight of your fabric and the look you want to achieve.

Look for quality and value for money when shopping for your hanging system. If curtains are going to be opened and closed many, many times, then a good quality track and/or pulley system will work for a long time.

If you are looking for a decorative pole with finials, do check that there is room either side of your window to accomodate the length of each finial. Adjacent walls or ceiling beams can get in the way. You may need to forget the finials and be content with the pole finishing into the edge of the adjacent wall instead. This will allow the outer edge of the curtain to hang level with the adjacent wall and cover the outside of the window frame.

It is impossible to accurately measure the finished drop of your curtains without the track, rod or pole in place. It is therefore best to choose your hanging method carefully and install it before measuring up and buying your fabric.

Let's assume you have chosen your style of curtain heading. The following pages describe your choices of hanging methods - what exactly they are and how they work.

Decorative Curtain Poles

A huge variety of metal or wooden decorative poles are available today. With various finishes, colors and wonderful finials, you have an amazing choice to find your perfect pole. Be sure to buy a pole of exactly the correct width to fit your window. Ensure you have the wall space to finish off the pole with decorative finials both ends.

A decorative pole works best with the following curtain heading:

Many poles today can also be purchased with wall brackets that have a double row of cups, in which two poles can sit one behind the other. This allows you to hang sheers directly behind curtains and still enjoy the look of a decorative pole.

When choosing your pole, if curtain rings are included then be sure that extra sets can be purchased separately. Large rings slide onto the pole and are fitted with a small ring at the base, to which you attach the curtain hooks on your heading tape.

Many decorative poles are today also expandable to fit windows that are not of a standard width. Ensure the maximum standard width is wide enough to fit your window. Expandable poles may require an extra bracket placed in the center of the wall width for extra support of heavier fabric.

Traditional Curtain Track

A traditional curtain track uses drapery hooks, and works best with the following curtain headings:

These curtain tracks are usually made from sturdy plastic with runners already hanging from the track when you purchase it. Be sure the pack also included the hardware needed to secure the track to the wall.

Curtain hooks are first inserted into your heading tape, then attached to the runners on the track. Some tracks include a cord system whereby you pull the cord to open and draw the curtains. Ideal if you don't want to handle the curtain fabric each time. Most tracks these days are so streamlined that although you see the track when curtains are drawn back, they are quite unobtrusive to the eye. This is the type of track you would also use if making a pelmet heading over your curtains where a double rowed track can be purchased.

Curtain Wire System

A curtain wire system enables you to hang your curtains or chosen window treatments easily, with a clean, modern line that is unobtrusive and works well in areas where the space for a large pole is restricted.

A curtain wire system works best with the following curtain headings:

A curtain wire system can either support lightweight curtains that have a channelled heading or are most commonly used for pierced curtain headings. The system made up of a length or sturdy but thin wire that is slightly expandable and fixes to cup-hook or similar fixtures that are screwed into the wall.