Types of Curtain Hooks and Which Heading Uses Which
By the JOTEX Fabrics product team · Updated
Short answer
The right curtain hook depends on the heading. Pin hooks push into the back of hand-sewn French and pinch pleats. Pleater hooks slide into pleating tape and form the pleats. Plastic or metal tape hooks suit pencil pleat tape. S-fold curtains clip onto carriers on the track, and eyelet curtains need no hooks at all.
Curtain hooks at a glance
| Hook or fitting | Used with | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Pin hook | Hand-sewn French and pinch pleats | A sharp pin pushes into the back of each pleat; a hook at the top hangs on the glider or ring |
| Pleater (multi-prong) hook | Pinch pleats made with pleating tape | The prongs slide into the tape's pockets and gather the fabric into a pleat |
| Tape hook | Pencil pleat and other gathered tapes | Hooks into a pocket in the heading tape, usually plastic or metal |
| S-hook | Rings and gliders | A simple S-shaped metal hook linking the curtain to a ring or glider |
| Clip ring | Poles, for flat or light curtains | A ring with a clip that grips the top of the curtain; no heading needed |
| Glider with hook | Curtain tracks | Runs inside the track; the curtain hook hangs from its eye, or the hook is built in |
| S-fold carrier | S-fold (ripple fold) tracks | The curtain's snap or hook tape clips onto carriers held at fixed spacing |
| None | Eyelet, tab top, rod pocket | The curtain threads straight onto the pole |
Pin hooks
Pin hooks are the standard hook for hand-sewn French and pinch pleats. The pin goes into the back of the pleat, behind the buckram, so no stitching shows on the front. One hook goes into each pleat and one at each end of the curtain.
Where the pin goes in sets the height of the curtain. Pinning lower lifts the heading above the track, hiding it; pinning higher drops the heading below the track or pole. That lets a curtain maker fine-tune the height after hanging without re-sewing. See French Pleat Curtains.
Pleater hooks
Pleater hooks, also called multi-prong or four-prong hooks, are used with pleating tape: a heading tape woven with rows of pockets. Each prong slides into a pocket and the hook pinches the fabric into a pleat as it goes in. The number of prongs sets the pleat: more prongs make a fuller pleat.
Pleating tape with pleater hooks is quicker and cheaper to make than hand-sewn pleats, and the pleats can be taken out for washing. The trade-off is softer, less crisp pleats that can shift over time.
Tape hooks for pencil pleat
Pencil pleat and other gathered headings use a heading tape with cords that gather the fabric and rows of small pockets for hooks. Most tapes have two or three rows of pockets, so the hooks can go in a higher or lower row to raise or lower the curtain. Space the hooks evenly, about every 10 to 15 cm, with one at each end.
Rings, clips and S-hooks for poles
On a curtain pole, hooked curtains hang from rings. Each ring has a small eye underneath, and the curtain hook clips into it. Clip rings grip the top of a flat curtain directly and suit light, casual curtains. S-hooks, simple S-shaped metal hooks, link a heading to rings or gliders where a standard hook will not fit. Eyelet, tab top and rod pocket curtains need no hooks at all; see Eyelet Curtains.
Gliders and S-fold carriers for tracks
On a curtain track, the hooks hang from gliders, small runners that slide inside the track. Some gliders have the hook built in. You need at least one glider for every hook, and a spare or two helps. S-fold tracks work differently: the curtain has a snap or hook tape that clips onto carriers linked by a spacing cord, and the carriers set the size of every wave. See S-Fold Curtains.
Plastic or metal hooks?
| Plastic | Metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Fine for light and medium curtains | Better for heavy, lined or velvet curtains |
| Rust | Cannot rust | Choose stainless steel or a coated finish; plain steel can rust and stain fabric in humid rooms |
| Wear | Can become brittle and snap in strong sun | Long-lasting |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
In Malaysia's humidity, rust is the main risk with metal hooks, especially near windows and in bathrooms and kitchens. Rust marks on the heading are very hard to remove, so use stainless steel or a rust-resistant finish.
How many hooks do you need?
- French and pinch pleats: one hook per pleat, plus one at each end.
- Pencil pleat: one hook about every 10 to 15 cm, plus one at each end.
- Tracks: one glider per hook; a curtain with too few gliders sags between them.
- Poles: one ring per hook, plus one ring outside the end bracket on each side if you want the curtain edge fixed in place.
- Lined curtains with detachable linings: the lining hangs from the same hooks, passed through the lining tape and then the curtain tape.
Common hanging problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Heading flops forward | Hooks set too high in the heading | Move the pins or hooks lower |
| Track shows above the curtain | Hooks set too low | Move the pins or hooks higher |
| Curtain sags between hooks | Too few hooks or gliders | Add hooks and gliders at even spacing |
| Brown marks on the heading | Rusting metal hooks | Replace with stainless or plastic hooks |
| Hooks snapping | Plastic hooks too weak for the curtain, or brittle with age | Use metal hooks for heavy or lined curtains |
| Curtain hard to draw | Too few gliders, or a dirty or bent track | Add gliders; clean or straighten the track |
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of curtain hooks?
The main types are pin hooks for hand-sewn pleats, pleater hooks for pleating tape, tape hooks for pencil pleat, S-hooks and clip rings for poles, and gliders with hooks for tracks. S-fold curtains use carriers on the track, and eyelet curtains need no hooks.
Which hooks are used for pinch pleat curtains?
Pin hooks for hand-sewn pinch or French pleats, pushed into the back of each pleat. If the curtain uses pleating tape, use pleater hooks, which form the pleats as they slide into the tape.
How many curtain hooks do I need?
For pleated curtains, one per pleat plus one at each end. For pencil pleat, one about every 10 to 15 cm plus one at each end. You need a glider or ring for every hook.
Are plastic or metal curtain hooks better?
Plastic hooks cannot rust and suit light to medium curtains. Metal hooks are stronger for heavy or lined curtains; in humid rooms choose stainless steel or a rust-resistant finish so they do not stain the fabric.
Why is my curtain sagging between the hooks?
There are too few hooks or gliders, or they are unevenly spaced. Add hooks and gliders so they are evenly spaced across the whole heading.
Do S-fold curtains use hooks?
Not ordinary hooks. The curtain has a snap or hook tape that clips onto carriers on an S-fold track, and the carriers set the spacing of the waves.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
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