Curtain Guides & Advice
Curtain Glossary: Curtain & Window Treatment Terms
A plain-English A–Z of curtain headings, linings, measuring terms, poles, tracks and decorative window-treatment terminology.
Use this glossary as a quick reference while planning made-to-measure curtains, then follow the links to our longer guides for measuring, headings, fabric choice and finishing details.
Good to know: curtain terminology is not completely standardised between workrooms, track manufacturers and fabric houses. For an order, the exact heading, hardware, finished measurements and maker's specification should take priority over a general glossary definition.
- Architrave
- The moulded or decorative frame around the sides and top of a window or door. It can affect where brackets, poles, tracks and blinds can be fitted.
- Bay track
- A curtain track designed to follow the angles or curves of a bay or bow window. The exact system determines how the curtains travel around corners and where they stack.
- Blackout lining
- An opaque or coated lining designed to stop most light passing through the curtain itself. It does not prevent light entering around the top, sides, bottom or centre opening. See the Blackout Curtains & Blinds guide.
- Box pelmet
- A structured pelmet with a front and returns at the sides, fitted above a curtain to conceal the heading or track and create a strong architectural top line.
- Bracket
- A fixing used to support a curtain pole or track from a wall, ceiling or other suitable surface. Bracket type and spacing need to suit the hardware, span and finished curtain weight.
- Buckram
- A stiff heading material used inside some hand-made curtain headings and pelmets to add structure and support.
- Bullion fringe
- A substantial decorative fringe made from thick twisted or looped yarns, traditionally used on pelmets, upholstery and formal soft furnishings.
- Centre overlap
- The amount by which the two leading edges of a pair of curtains overlap when closed. Some track systems incorporate an overlap arm to help reduce a gap at the centre.
- Chain weight
- A flexible weighted chain sewn into the lower edge of some curtains, sheers or blinds to help the fabric hang more evenly.
- Corded track
- A curtain track operated by cords rather than by pulling the curtain fabric by hand. The operating system and cord arrangement vary by manufacturer.
- Curtain heading
- The construction at the top of a curtain that controls how the fabric is gathered or pleated and how it attaches to the pole or track. See Curtain Headings & Hems.
- Curtain pole
- A visible horizontal pole from which curtains hang, usually using rings, eyelets, tabs or another compatible heading. Decorative end pieces are called finials.
- Curtain track
- A rail containing gliders or runners from which curtains hang. Tracks may be hand-drawn, corded or motorised and can be wall- or ceiling-mounted.
- Cut drop
- The length of fabric cut for each curtain width before the heading and hem are completed. It includes making allowances and may be increased to accommodate pattern matching.
- Cut length
- A measured piece of fabric cut from the roll for making. For patterned curtains, the cut length may need to align with the vertical repeat.
- Directional design
- A fabric pattern with a clear top and bottom. All curtain widths normally need to be cut in the same direction so the design appears consistently.
- Double hem
- A lower curtain hem formed by turning the fabric up twice. The depth and construction depend on the fabric, lining and workroom specification.
- Drape
- The way a fabric falls and forms folds. Soft, fluid fabrics and firm, structured fabrics can produce very different finished curtains. See Choosing the Right Curtain Fabric.
- Dress curtain
- A curtain or side panel intended mainly for decoration rather than regular closing across the window.
- Dressed curtains
- Curtains whose folds have been arranged into even lines after hanging, often temporarily tied while the folds settle into position.
- Drop / finished drop
- The finished vertical measurement of a curtain from its specified hanging point to the lower edge. The correct starting point depends on the heading and hardware. See How to Measure Curtains.
- Eyelet heading
- A curtain heading with large rings set into the fabric so the pole passes directly through the curtain. Eyelet curtains are designed for a compatible pole rather than a conventional curtain track.
- Face fabric
- The main decorative fabric visible on the front of the finished curtain, as distinct from the lining or interlining.
- Finial
- A decorative end piece fitted to a curtain pole. Finials come in many shapes and materials and sit outside the working pole width. See Curtain Accessories & Finishing Touches.
- Finished drop
- See Drop / finished drop.
- Finished width
- The required width of the completed curtain treatment when it is hung, rather than the flat amount of fabric used to make it.
- Floor-length curtains
- Curtains designed to finish at or close to floor level. The exact clearance is a design and measuring decision rather than one universal measurement.
- Fullness
- The additional fabric used across the width so a curtain forms pleats or folds rather than hanging completely flat. Required fullness depends on the heading system, fabric and maker's specification.
- Glider / runner
- A small moving component inside a curtain track to which the curtain hook attaches. The exact shape and spacing depend on the track system.
- Half-drop repeat
- A pattern layout in which motifs on alternate vertical lines are offset by half a repeat. This can affect matching, cutting and the amount of fabric required.
- Heading tape
- A woven tape sewn across the top of a curtain to create or support a heading, often incorporating pockets, cords or hook positions.
- Hem
- The finished lower edge of a curtain, usually created by turning and securing the face fabric and lining. Hem depth varies with fabric and construction.
- Holdback
- A fixed wall-mounted fitting used to hold an open curtain away from the window. Unlike a tieback, it does not wrap around the curtain. See Curtain Accessories & Finishing Touches.
- Hook position / hook-to-top
- The relationship between the curtain hook position and the top of the finished heading. It affects where the curtain sits in relation to the pole or track and should be specified for the chosen system.
- Interlining
- A soft layer placed between the decorative face fabric and lining to add body and a fuller handle. It also adds weight and can improve comfort at the window, but the final effect depends on the complete curtain construction.
- Italian stringing
- A traditional method in which cords draw the lower part of a curtain diagonally upward into a decorative sweep while the heading remains fixed.
- Lambrequin
- A structured decorative treatment that extends across the top and partway down one or both sides of a window or doorway.
- Leading edge
- The inner vertical edge of a curtain that moves across the window toward the centre when the curtain is closed.
- Lining
- The separate fabric layer fitted behind the decorative face fabric. Lining can improve finish, opacity and body and helps protect the reverse of the face fabric.
- Made-to-measure curtains
- Curtains made to specified finished measurements in a chosen fabric, heading and lining rather than supplied in standard ready-made sizes. See Made-to-Measure Curtains.
- Mitred corner
- A diagonal join used where two borders, trims or turned edges meet at a corner, creating a neat angled finish.
- Nap
- A directional raised surface found on fabrics such as velvet. The fabric may look lighter or darker depending on the direction of the nap, so curtain widths normally need to be cut consistently.
- One-way design
- Another term for a directional pattern with a clear top and bottom. All curtain pieces normally need to run the same way.
- Outer edge
- The vertical edge of a curtain nearest the outside wall or return, opposite the leading edge.
- Overlap
- The amount by which one curtain overlaps another or the way a curtain extends beyond a track point to improve coverage. The exact meaning depends on the hardware and treatment.
- Pair of curtains
- Two curtains designed to dress the same window and normally meet or overlap near the centre when closed.
- Pattern match
- The alignment of a design between adjacent widths or pieces of patterned fabric. The matching method can change cut lengths and total fabric quantity.
- Pattern repeat
- The distance from one point in a design to the corresponding point where it begins again. Curtain calculations commonly use the vertical repeat when establishing cut drops. See Choosing the Right Curtain Fabric.
- Pelmet
- A structured top treatment fitted above curtains to conceal the heading or track. Pelmets may be upholstered, fabric-covered or otherwise finished. See Curtain Accessories & Finishing Touches.
- Pencil pleat
- A gathered heading created with heading tape and cords, forming a series of narrow folds. It can be used with compatible hooks on a pole or track.
- Pinch pleat
- A tailored heading in which fixed pleats are formed and stitched into the curtain. Double and triple pinch pleats are common versions. See Curtain Headings & Hems.
- Pooled curtains
- Curtains deliberately made longer than a floor-length drop so the fabric rests or pools on the floor. The extra length is a design choice and should be specified before making.
- Railroaded fabric
- Fabric used with its width running horizontally across the finished treatment rather than vertically from top to bottom. Whether a fabric can be used this way depends on width, pattern direction and manufacturer guidance.
- Recess / window recess
- The opening or inset area in which the window sits. Recess depth and surrounding architrave can affect blind, pole and track positions.
- Return
- The part of a curtain, pelmet or track arrangement that turns back toward the wall at the outer edge. Returns help cover the side gap and conceal hardware.
- Roman blind
- A fabric blind that raises into horizontal folds. Although not a curtain, it is a common alternative or companion window treatment and may use the same decorative fabric.
- Sheer curtain
- A curtain made from translucent fabric such as voile or another lightweight sheer, used to filter daylight and soften a window while retaining some transparency.
- Side hem
- The finished vertical edge down the side of a curtain, formed by turning and securing the fabric and lining according to the construction method.
- Stack back
- The space occupied by curtains when they are fully open. Stack back affects how much glass remains uncovered and how far a pole or track may need to extend beyond the window.
- Swag
- A decorative length of fabric arranged in a curved drape across the top of a window, often used with tails in traditional window treatments.
- Swag and tails
- A traditional decorative top treatment combining one or more swags with vertical or shaped fabric tails at the sides of the window.
- Tab top
- A relaxed curtain heading in which fabric loops at the top of the curtain slide directly over a pole. The pole remains visible and the treatment is not intended for a conventional track.
- Tail
- A decorative length of fabric hanging at the side of a window, commonly used with a swag in traditional treatments.
- Thermal lining
- A lining sold or specified to add another insulating layer to a window treatment. Its practical effect depends on the complete curtain construction, coverage and installation.
- Tieback
- A decorative fabric, cord or rope element wrapped around an open curtain to hold it to one side. See Curtain Accessories & Finishing Touches.
- Track return
- A section at the end of some curtain tracks that turns toward the wall, helping the curtain close the side gap.
- Trimming
- Decorative braid, fringe, tassel, cord, piping or another finish added to curtains, pelmets or related soft furnishings. See the Fabric Trimmings guide.
- Valance
- A soft fabric top treatment fitted above a curtain or window, usually gathered, pleated or draped. Unlike a structured pelmet, a valance is principally a textile treatment.
- Wave heading
- A contemporary heading used with a compatible track and glider system that holds the curtain in regular flowing folds. See Curtain Headings & Hems.
- Weighted hem
- A hem containing weights or weighting material to help the lower edge of a curtain or sheer hang more steadily.
- Wide-width / room-high fabric
- Fabric produced substantially wider than conventional furnishing cloth. Depending on the pattern direction and finished dimensions, it can sometimes reduce the number of vertical joins in a curtain.
- Width
- The horizontal measurement of fabric or of a finished curtain. A large curtain may require several fabric widths joined together before the heading is formed.
