What Curtains Can I Hang from a Curtain Track?
Most curtain tracks are designed to be used with curtains that hang from hooks or specialist gliders. This includes popular heading styles such as pencil pleat, pinch pleat and wave curtains.
Some curtain styles, such as eyelet, tab top and slot top curtains, are designed for curtain poles instead. This guide explains which curtain headings work well with curtain tracks, which ones do not, and the best alternatives for bay windows.
Quick Answer
The best curtain headings for curtain tracks are usually pencil pleat, pinch pleat and wave curtains.
Pencil pleat curtains are the most versatile option and remain one of the most popular curtain heading choices in the UK for both ready made and made to measure curtains.
Eyelet curtains, tab top curtains and slot top curtains do not work directly on curtain tracks because they are designed for curtain poles and do not use curtain hooks.
How Curtains Hang from a Curtain Track
Curtain tracks use gliders that run inside the track. The curtains then hang from hooks attached to those gliders.
This means the curtain heading needs to accept curtain hooks or be designed to work with specialist track gliders, such as wave gliders.
Pencil Pleat Curtains
Pencil pleat curtains are one of the easiest and most flexible options for curtain tracks.
They work well on most curtain tracks, are widely available, and are usually more forgiving in bay windows with bends, returns or slightly awkward shapes.
For many bay windows, pencil pleat curtains are the safest and most practical choice.
Pinch Pleat Curtains
Pinch pleat curtains can also work very well on curtain tracks, provided they are made to the correct size.
They create a more tailored decorative finish at the top of the curtain, with soft folds running down the fabric.
Double pinch pleat curtains are a good option if you want something more structured than pencil pleat but still suitable for a bay window curtain track.
Wave Curtains
Wave curtains are a good choice if you want a modern, smooth and flowing curtain style.
They hang in neat, even waves from top to bottom and can work especially well with ceiling fixed bay window curtain tracks.
Wave curtains need the correct wave gliders and track setup, so they should be planned as a wave curtain system rather than treated like standard hooked curtains.
Curtain Styles That Do Not Work on Curtain Tracks
Some curtain headings are designed for curtain poles rather than curtain tracks.
Eyelet curtains, tab top curtains and slot top curtains do not have a normal curtain hook system. This means they have no simple way to attach to the gliders on a curtain track.
- Eyelet curtains have metal rings that slide over a curtain pole.
- Tab top curtains have fabric loops that sit over a curtain pole.
- Slot top or rod pocket curtains have a sewn pocket that a pole passes through.
These styles can work well in the right setting, but they are not suitable for shaped bay window curtain tracks.
If You Like the Look of Eyelet Curtains
Eyelet curtains are designed to hang on curtain poles rather than curtain tracks, so they cannot be fitted directly onto a shaped bay window curtain track.
However, if you like the soft wave effect eyelet curtains create as they flow down the curtain, our Wave bay window curtain tracks are usually the best alternative. They give a very similar flowing look, but without the eyelet rings at the top of the curtain.
Another option is double pinch pleat curtains used with one of our standard bay window curtain tracks. Double pinch pleat curtains create soft even folds while also giving a more decorative tailored finish across the top of the curtain.
Thinking about using a bay window curtain pole instead? We also have a separate guide explaining how bay window curtain poles work, along with the pros and cons compared with curtain tracks.
Blackout and Thermal Curtains
Blackout and thermal curtains can usually be used on curtain tracks, provided the curtain heading is suitable for hooks or wave gliders.
The lining itself does not automatically mean you need a special track. The overall size, fullness and weight of the curtains matter more than the lining alone.
Which Curtain Heading Is Best for a Bay Window Track?
For most customers, pencil pleat curtains are the easiest and most versatile option. They work well on shaped curtain tracks and suit both ready made and made to measure curtains.
If you want a more decorative tailored finish, double pinch pleat curtains are a good choice.
If you want a modern flowing look similar to eyelet curtains, wave curtains are usually the best track-friendly alternative.
Frequently asked questions
No. Eyelet curtains are designed for curtain poles, not curtain tracks.
The metal eyelet rings slide over a pole, so there is no hook system to attach them to curtain track gliders.
Pencil pleat is usually the most versatile and forgiving curtain heading for tracks.
Pinch pleat and wave curtains can also work very well when matched to the right track system.
No. Tab top curtains have fabric loops that are designed to slide over a curtain pole.
They do not have a suitable hook system for attaching to curtain track gliders.
Yes. Wave curtains can work very well in bay windows when used with the correct wave gliders and track system.
They are a good option if you want a modern flowing look.
Yes. Blackout curtains can usually hang from a curtain track as long as the curtain heading is suitable.
Pencil pleat, pinch pleat and wave blackout curtains can all work with the right track setup.
If you like the soft flowing look of eyelet curtains, wave curtains are usually the closest alternative for a bay window curtain track.
Double pinch pleat curtains are another good option if you prefer a more decorative heading.
Need Help Choosing the Right Curtain Style?
If you are unsure which curtain heading will work best with your bay window curtain track, start with our Track Finder or send us a photo of your bay window for advice.