How to Hang a Curtain With Heading Tape and Hooks? Guide

Heading tape, hooks, rod: who does what

The heading tape is a corded tape sewn at the top of the curtain: pulling the cords gathers the fabric to create the pleats. The hooks slide into the pockets of the heading tape and attach to the support, either the rings of a rod or the gliders of a rail. This is the most common and most adjustable system: it fits any width and lets you adjust the height of the curtain.

How to hang a curtain with heading tape, step by step

Find the right row of pockets. Heading tape often has several rows of pockets: the top row raises the curtain, the bottom row lowers it. Choose according to the height you want.

Gather to the right width. Pull the tape cords from both sides to draw the fabric in to the width of the rod. Spread the gathers evenly, then knot the cords without cutting them, so you can ungather them for washing.

Position the hooks. Slide a hook into a pocket every 8 to 10 cm, plus one hook at each end. Even spacing gives consistent pleats.

Attach to the support. Pass each hook through a ring on the rod or a glider on the rail. The end hooks attach to the rings closest to the finials to close the curtain at the sides.

Adjust the pleats. Once hung, arrange the pleats by hand from top to bottom for an even drape, and let the curtain settle for a few hours.

Rod with rings or rail with gliders?

Heading tape hooks attach to both systems. On a rod with rings, each hook passes through a ring, and the tape stays visible just below the rod. On a rail with gliders, the hooks clip into the gliders, and the curtain can rise to hide the rail. The rail is better suited to wide-widths and to heavy curtains, which slide more easily.

Adjusting the fullness of the pleats

The fullness depends on the amount of fabric relative to the rod width. The wider the curtain is relative to the rod, the fuller the pleats once the heading tape is gathered. Heading tape lets you tighten or loosen this fullness at will. To understand the different heading types, including eyelets and pleated headings, see the heading guide.

A curtain ready to hang

The right fixing system depends on the curtain and the support. Kurtens makes made-to-measure curtains in a range of colors and fabrics, with the heading of your choice, heading tape, eyelets or other, delivered ready to hang. To choose the fixing suited to your rod or rail, see the heading guide, then the Kurtens made-to-measure curtains. To fix the support without drilling, see also how to hang a curtain without drilling.

Frequently asked questions

How do you hang a curtain with heading tape?

Pull the tape cords to gather the fabric to the width of the rod, knot them without cutting, slide the hooks into the pockets every 8 to 10 cm, then attach each hook to the rings on the rod or the gliders on the rail.

What is the spacing between curtain hooks?

Allow one hook every 8 to 10 cm, plus one hook at each end of the curtain. Even spacing gives consistent pleats and a clean drape. Too far apart, the hooks let the top of the curtain sag.

What is heading tape for on a curtain?

Heading tape is a corded tape sewn at the top of the curtain. Pulling the cords gathers the fabric to create the pleats and adjust the width. The pockets of the heading tape hold the fixing hooks.

Should you cut the cords of the heading tape?

No, knot them without cutting. That way you can ungather the curtain flat to wash it, then re-gather it afterwards. Cutting the cords would make this adjustment impossible.

Can heading tape be hung on a rod and on a rail?

Yes, heading tape hooks attach to both. On a rod, they pass through the rings; on a rail, they clip into the gliders. The rail is better suited to wide-widths and to heavy curtains.

Heading tape adjusts the fullness and height of the curtain. Have your curtain made with the heading of your choice as a Kurtens made-to-measure curtain, delivered ready to hang.