Start with the open position
At a narrow wall return or balcony door, stack-back can decide which heading is practical. Fullness, cloth thickness, lining and carrier arrangement all affect the open stack. Ask to see how the proposed curtain will sit both open and closed before deciding on appearance alone.
Compare the behaviour of the headings
| Heading | Character | Specification check |
|---|---|---|
| S-fold / wave | A continuous travelling wave. | Compatible track, carrier spacing and sufficient projection for the folds. |
| Pinch pleat | Sewn groups of pleats with a tailored face. | Pleat depth, spaces between pleats and a fabric that settles into the intended shape. |
| Euro pleat | A pleat held near the top and released below. | Whether the cloth needs more structure to maintain a controlled fall. |
| Pencil pleat | An adjustable gathered heading. | Even gathering, sufficient cloth and an acceptable open stack. |
| Inverted or decorative pleat | A more architectural or formal treatment. | Whether the curtain will travel daily or serve primarily as a decorative frame. |
- Heading
- S-fold / wave
- Character
- A continuous travelling wave.
- Specification check
- Compatible track, carrier spacing and sufficient projection for the folds.
- Heading
- Pinch pleat
- Character
- Sewn groups of pleats with a tailored face.
- Specification check
- Pleat depth, spaces between pleats and a fabric that settles into the intended shape.
- Heading
- Euro pleat
- Character
- A pleat held near the top and released below.
- Specification check
- Whether the cloth needs more structure to maintain a controlled fall.
- Heading
- Pencil pleat
- Character
- An adjustable gathered heading.
- Specification check
- Even gathering, sufficient cloth and an acceptable open stack.
- Heading
- Inverted or decorative pleat
- Character
- A more architectural or formal treatment.
- Specification check
- Whether the curtain will travel daily or serve primarily as a decorative frame.
Fullness is a considered allowance
Fullness relates the flat fabric width to the finished coverage. More fabric is not automatically better: excessive allowance in a bulky cloth can crowd the window, while too little can flatten the intended fold. CCBD considers the specific heading construction, pattern repeat, lining and available wall space rather than applying one multiplier to every curtain.
Before you decide
Questions & answers
Does S-fold suit every fabric?
No. A stiff or bulky fabric may resist the wave or occupy more depth than expected. Handle a sample in the proposed fold and confirm that the heading, tape and track form a compatible system.
Must a heritage room have a formal heading?
No. The architecture, furnishings and degree of restoration matter more than a style rule. A restrained pleat can acknowledge the room’s proportions without reproducing every historic decorative detail.