How Many Curtain Track Gliders Do I Need?
Curtain track gliders are the small moving parts that sit inside the channel underneath the curtain track.
Each glider has a hole that allows the curtain hook to pass through, suspending the curtain from the track and allowing it to move along smoothly.
The number of gliders you need depends mainly on the type of curtains you plan to hang and how closely the curtain hooks are spaced in the heading tape.
Quick Answer
Most people hanging curtains from a curtain track will be using pencil pleat curtains.
As a general guide, pencil pleat curtain hooks are usually spaced with 3 or 4 empty pockets between each hook in the heading tape.
Pinch pleat curtains usually need fewer gliders because the pleats are sewn into the curtain and the hook positions are already fixed.
Lee’s Advice
When we add gliders to our custom made curtain tracks, we always allow for pencil pleat curtains. This means most customers will have enough gliders supplied for the curtains they plan to hang.
What Are Curtain Track Gliders?
Curtain track gliders fit inside the channel underneath the curtain track.
The glider moves along the track when the curtains are opened and closed.
Each glider has a small hole in the bottom. The hook from the curtain heading passes through this hole, allowing the curtain to hang from the track.
If there are too few gliders, you may not have enough hanging points for your curtains. If there are plenty of gliders, you can simply remove any that are not needed before fitting the end stops.
Pencil Pleat Curtains Usually Need More Gliders
Pencil pleat curtains are the most common type of curtains used with curtain tracks.
The hooks are fitted into the pockets on the heading tape at the back of the curtain.
In most cases, you will have either 3 or 4 empty pockets between each curtain hook.
This spacing helps the curtain hang properly and allows the fabric to move neatly along the track.
Because pencil pleat curtains often use more hooks, they usually need more gliders than pinch pleat curtains.
Pinch Pleat Curtains Usually Need Fewer Gliders
Pinch pleat curtains are less common than pencil pleat curtains, but they are often used for made-to-measure curtains.
With pinch pleat curtains, the pleats are sewn into the curtain. This means the hook positions are already fixed.
Because the hooks are spaced further apart, pinch pleat curtains usually need fewer gliders than pencil pleat curtains.
If you are ordering a curtain track for pinch pleat curtains, you will normally have more gliders than you need. This is not a problem, as any spare gliders can be removed or left inside the track if they do not affect the curtain movement.
How Many Gliders Will You Get?
We always plan for pencil pleat curtains when adding gliders to our curtain tracks during making.
The table below shows the approximate number of gliders supplied based on the overall curtain track width.
| Overall Curtain Track Width | Approx. Number of Gliders Supplied |
|---|---|
| 300cm | 60 gliders |
| 350cm | 70 gliders |
| 400cm | 80 gliders |
| 450cm | 90 gliders |
If your bay track width is a little more or less than one of these sizes, you can mentally add or remove a few gliders to get a rough idea of what will be supplied.
This should help you check whether you will have enough gliders to match, or exceed, the number of hooks in your curtains.
Check the Number of Hooks in Your Curtains
The simplest way to check whether you will have enough gliders is to count how many hooks you expect to use in your curtains.
For pencil pleat curtains, this will depend on how closely you space the hooks in the heading tape.
If you use 3 or 4 empty pockets between hooks, the curtain should usually hang well and you should be within the number of gliders we supply for most curtain tracks.
If your curtains are unusually full, very wide, or you plan to place the hooks much closer together, you may need more gliders than normal.
If you are unsure, it is always worth checking before ordering.
Helpful Guides to Read Next
These guides may help if you are comparing what is included with different bay window curtain tracks.
How Many Brackets Does a Bay Window Curtain Track Need?
Understand bracket spacing, bend support and why bay tracks usually need more support than straight tracks.
Custom Made vs DIY Bay Window Curtain Tracks
Compare DIY bendable tracks with custom made bay tracks and understand the difference in support, fitting and long-term performance.
When Does a Custom Made Bay Window Curtain Track Make Sense?
See the situations where using a custom made bay track makes sense. Plus the situations where it doesn’t make sense.
Not Sure Which Track Is Right for Your Curtains?
If you are unsure which curtain track will suit your bay window, curtain heading or fixing method, our curtain track finder can help point you in the right direction.
FAQs About Curtain Track Gliders
Curtain track gliders are the small moving parts that fit inside the channel underneath the curtain track. Curtain hooks attach to the gliders so the curtains can hang from the track and move along it.
Pencil pleat curtains usually need more gliders than pinch pleat curtains. As a guide, hooks are normally spaced with 3 or 4 empty pockets between them in the heading tape.
Yes. Pinch pleat curtains usually need fewer gliders because the pleats and hook positions are already fixed into the curtain.
Having a few spare gliders is usually not a problem. Any extras can normally be removed before fitting the end stops, or left inside the track if they do not affect how the curtains move.
Yes. Extra gliders can usually be supplied if needed. If your curtains are unusually full or you plan to space the hooks very closely, it is worth checking before ordering.