Curtain Rods & Tracks Explained

Hidden or Visible?

The first consideration for selecting your curtain hardware is deciding whether you want the rod or track to be visible once the curtains are hung. Some curtain hardware is designed to be quite discreet so as not to be noticed when installed (or completely hidden from view), while others can provide a striking decorative element to enhance the look of your curtains.

Hardware that is going to be hidden should be strong, good quality and have a discreet profile. Common methods of hiding the track including fitting it behind a pelmet, installing it into a ceiling cavity or bulkhead, or having it hidden behind the curtain heading using a face-fix hook system.

Rods vs Tracks

There are many terms for describing the hardware used to hang your curtains. Curtain poles, rods and tracks are often used interchangeably but what is the difference?

Curtain Rods

A curtain rod is generally a round pole made from wood, steel or aluminium. The pole is either fed through the curtain heading (such as for eyelet or tab top curtain styles), or is fed through a set of curtain rings which the curtain attaches to.

Most people choose curtain rods for the decorative element they add to their curtains. They are generally designed to be visible once the curtains are hung and often come in a variety of styles, colours and finishes. Most curtain rods also have a range of finial options available to further enhance their appearance.

We recommend:

• The Oslo Series 61 curtain rod due to the quality of its metal finishes and selection of stylish finials.

Curtain Tracks

Unlike a curtain rod, a curtain track uses an internal tracking system with either glides or carriers to attach the curtain. They are generally made from aluminium and come in a variety of styles, colours and sizes to suit both residential and commercial applications.

Curtain tracks have definitely become the most popular curtain hardware choice for customers over the past few years. The main reasons our customer prefer using curtain tracks to hang their curtains are:

• Clean, Minimalist Profile – The internal tracking system allows the curtains to be hung with a cleaner, more minimalist look along the top of the curtain. This is because the glides or carriers are mostly hidden behind the curtain heading and are generally less noticeable than curtain rings.
• Affordability – The smaller profile of curtain tracks means they often use less aluminium, and can therefore be more cost effective than comparatively sized curtain rods.
• Carrier Operation – Many customers find the internal tracking system to be smoother to operate than using rings, or an eyelet or tab top heading
• Versatility – Curtain tracks allow for a wider variety of curtain heading styles to be used. Most glides or carrier systems are suited to either pleated or S-fold heading styles.
• Adaptability – Curtain tracks can be easily bent to shape using a professional bending machine making them ideal for situations where curves or bends in the tracks are required, such as bay window installations. They are also a popular choice for DIY decorators as they can be cut to size relatively easily using a hacksaw or drop saw.

We recommend:

• The Oslo Series 58 for its minimalist design and modern, rounded appearance
• The Oslo Series 50 is our most popular and versatile track with its modern bracket system and electrophoresis Platinum coating

Double Curtain Hardware Sets

A double curtain rod or track set is used for hanging two sets of curtains, one behind the other. The most popular scenario for using a double curtain hardware set is for hanging a set of sheer curtains on the rear rod or track (closest to the window) and a lined curtain at the front.

Some of our most popular curtain tracks are also available as double sets, such as the Oslo Series 50, 51 and 65, and the Vanda Versatrak sets. The main difference with the double sets is that the brackets extend further out from the wall and have two clips on the brackets to attach the tracks. The Vanda Versatrak Double Sets also have the option of using a smaller rod at the rear for hanging a lighter sheer curtain.

We recommend:

• The Oslo Series 50 S-Fold + Glide set which is perfect for hanging a lined S-fold curtain at the front, and a pleated sheer curtain at the rear
• The Vanda Versatrak Double 25mm + 16mm set which allows for a heavier lined curtain at the front, and sheer curtain at the rear

 Lengths

All our curtain hardware sets are available in 1m, 2m, 3m or 4m lengths.

Aluminium curtain rods and tracks can be cut to size using a hacksaw or drop saw with an aluminium cutting blade. Alternatively, when placing your order with Decorators Market, order the next longest length and specify in the Checkout ‘Order Notes’ field the exact length you require and we will have them professionally cut to size in the warehouse.

The majority of our 3m and 4m curtain tracks also have the option of being ‘Shipped in 2 lengths’. This means the track is cut in half and supplied with an internal joiner, making it cheaper to ship and easier to get the track into the home (fitting a 3m or 4m track into a lift can sometimes be problematic!). Decorators Market only recommends using a joiner for curtains which are centre opening to avoid potential ‘sticking’ when drawing a curtain over the joiner.

Bracket Types

The majority of our curtain hardware can be fixed either to a wall using a wall fix bracket, or to the ceiling using a ceiling fix bracket. Both bracket designs are similar in terms of how the track is attached to the bracket, with the main differences being whether the bracket is flat (for fixing to the ceiling) or has a right-angle support (for fixing to the wall).

An option to select either a ‘Wall’ or ‘Ceiling’ Fix bracket will be visible on the product page if that bracket type is available.

Bracket Designs

The most common systems used for attaching the curtain rod or track to the brackets are as follows:

Clip System: this system is used with the majority of our curtain tracks. A plastic clip is attached to the underside of the bracket with a loosening screw. The groves along the top of the track are pushed up in to the plastic clip on one side, and the metal notch on the other, snapping the track in place. Example: Oslo Series 51

Easy Clip System: an updated version of the clip system now available on the Oslo Series 50 tracks. A simple plastic clip is pushed into the grove on the rear of the track, locking it in place. Pushing down on the clip allows for the quick and easy removal of the track and we think this is the best locking system available on the market. Example: Oslo Series 50

Lock and Cam System: traditional system used on our Oslo Series 65 curtain tracks. The groove on the top of the curtain track is pushed up over the cam, which is then rotated to lock the track in place. Example: Oslo Series 65

Bracket covers are also now available as standard on the Oslo Series 50 wall brackets, and the Oslo Series 58 ceiling bracket. These plastic covers fit easily over the metal brackets, hiding the fixing screws and providing a more contemporary finish.

Colours and Finishes

Curtain rods and tracks come in a variety of different finishes, including:

Metal: the finish on our metal rods are reflective of the materials they are made from. Common metal finishes include brushed aluminium and stainless steel. Example: Oslo Series 61

Powder coating: used on the majority of our curtain tracks to provide a hard wearing finish in a range of contemporary colours. Examples: Oslo Series 65 and Vanda Versatrak

Electrophoresis coating: this is an aluminium coating method recently introduced for the Oslo Series 50 Platinum and Series 58 Platinum. Unlike powder coating, the entire track (including the internals) are coated using this method and it provides a much smoother surface for the carriers to move across, almost providing a self-lubricating type of effect. Currently only available in a Platinum colour finish. Example: Oslo Series 50 Platinum

Componentry

Glides

A glide is the individual plastic component that you attach a curtain hook to, and which slides along the internal tracking system. Glides are generally supplied loose, move individually along the track and are suited to most pleated heading styles.

Carriers

Carriers are used as an alternative to glides for S-fold curtains. Carriers are attached together by string at equal intervals in order to maintain the uniform folds in the curtain and stop the curtain heading from ‘flattening’.

Carriers can be fitted with either a snap pendant or a hook pendant, depending on the type of S-fold heading tape being used. Snap pendants are designed for use with snap tape and use a press stud to attach the curtain. Hook pendants are designed for use with clear wave tape and use gathering hooks to attach the curtain.

End Stops

All our glides and carriers come standard with end stops fitted in the curtain track. End stops are inserted after the first glide or carrier on each end. This prevents the first glide or carrier from moving along the curtain rod or track, which means that the end of your curtain will also remain fixed and won’t slide along when you close it. End stops can be removed simply by unscrewing them.

A free flowing curtain means that the end stops have been removed and the entire curtain can flow along the rod or track, allowing it to be stacked at either end.

Curtain Rings

Curtain rings are not as popular as they once were due to the fact they do not move across the rod as smoothly as glides. The Oslo Series 61 is the only curtain rod we supply with curtain rings.

Imitation curtain rings are a popular choice for people wanting the traditional look of curtain rings but with the smoothness of a glide system. The Vanda 25mm Versatrak (Rings) uses the front half of a curtain ring attached at the bottom to a glide, allowing it to move smoothly across the rod and avoiding the brackets at the rear.

Hardware Accessories

End Caps

End caps are the plastic caps fitted to each end of the curtain tracks. They stop the internal componentry from coming out of the track, and therefore stop your curtain from falling out.

Finials

Finials perform a similar function as end caps but provide a more decorative finish for curtain rods or tracks. Finials come in all shapes, sizes and colour depending on the style you are after. It’s always important to ensure that the finial you select is from the same collection as your curtain rod or track, and is the correct size.

Curtain Wands

Curtain wands, otherwise known as ‘flick sticks’ are used open and close your curtains so you don’t have to pull on the actual fabric. Curtain wands are attached to a small plastic runner, generally positioned behind the curtain, and are great for drawing heavier, lined curtains more smoothly. Our most popular curtain wands are made from clear plastic and are quite flexible, although coloured and metal finishes are also available.

S-Fold Curtains

The S-fold is an extremely popular curtain heading style that provides a uniform, wave look to the curtains. Unlike other curtain styles, S-fold curtains require specific curtain hardware componentry that needs to be considered prior to making the curtains.

Carriers: S-fold curtains require carriers that are attached together by string at equal intervals. This maintains the uniform folds in the curtain and stops the curtain heading from ‘flattening’. Carriers are fitted with either snap pendants or hook pendants depending on the heading tape being used.

Heading tape: S-fold curtains require special heading tape to achieve the wave look. There are two types of S-fold heading tape:

Snap tape: a black or white tape with press studs evenly spaced along the tape. To hang the curtains, the studs are pressed in to the corresponding snap pendants attached to the carriers. Snap tape should always be supplied as part of the curtain hardware as it requires the pendants to be an exact match for the press studs on the tape.

Clear wave tape: a clear, plastic heading tape with loops along the tape for attaching curtain hooks. The benefit of clear wave tape is that you can attach the hooks to most glides, or hook pendants, giving you the flexibility to create the S-fold look on existing curtain hardware. You can also adjust the fullness of the S-fold by changing the spacing of the hooks to make the folds deeper or flatter. Refer to our ‘S-Fold Curtain Tape Guide’ for more information.

Curtain opening: as the carriers are attached to string, it’s important to determine whether the curtain will be centre opening (two curtains that open outwards) or side draw (single curtain that opens to one side). Curtain hardware for centre opening curtains will come with two equal lengths of carriers and string, while side draw curtains will have a single length provided.

Installation

Installing your own curtain hardware is a relatively simple DIY task. Refer to our Installation Guides for detailed information on installing your curtains rods or tracks.

Please note that Decorators Market always recommends you engage with a professional Installer if you are not comfortable installing them yourself.