Drapery Hardware Uses

Many curtain tracks can be mounted flush to a wall but there are other curtain track systems that are effective with the use of mounting brackets. Mounting brackets allow the track to be attached to the ceiling or the wall. There are many to choose from but don’t despair! The Curtain-Tracks team is always here to help you choose the best mounting bracket for your project. In this article, we will share some of the more commonly used mounting brackets our customers use.

The 85530 CS Adjustable Single Wall Bracket is our most popular mounting bracket. Available in white, black or silver, this bracket is perfect when mounting the 85000 track to a wall. The track just clicks into place. If you are using a 2-track system, you should use the 85535 Double Wall Bracket. This bracket is often seen in hotels when sheers are used on one track and blackout curtains are on the other. It is an adjustable bracket that holds tracks 2.5 to 4 inches and 6 to 7.5 inches from wall. Having this spacing allows both curtain panels to easily glide on the track without interference with the other panel.

For heavier applications, the 6260 Wall Bracket For I Beam Track - 1.25 In Extension. This is an aluminum bracket that is used to mount the 6200 I Beam Track to the wall. Attach the brackets to the wall and the I Beam Track is locked in place under the bracket.

Adding the 88001 Privacy Curtain Track? The 88206 Privacy Cubicle Wall Bracket is the bracket you need for this project. This aluminum bracket attaches the track to the wall in a suspended configuration when the track can't be attached directly to the ceiling. The 88206 Wall bracket is only intended to support the end of the track. It cannot be used along the length of the track to support it and attach it to the wall.

We’ve highlighted four of our wall brackets but there are more to choose from on our website. Again, if you have any questions at all, please contact our team. We will walk you through the ordering process.

WHY USE DROP CHAINS?

If you have ever visited a hospital emergency room, nursing home or clinic, you may have noticed privacy cubicle curtains around an adjustable bed. Oftentimes, these curtains have drop chains at the top that connect the curtain to the curtain track. Drop chains can replace the mesh at the top of the curtains and both (drop chains and mesh) meet fire code requirements by providing clearance for sprinkler systems in the event of a fire. The 7185 Beaded Chain Curtain Drop With Hook is a nickel plated brass chain and eyelet with stainless steel hook. The beauty of this chain is it will not rust or corrode. It is available in 12', 16.5', and 28.5' lengths and also has removable eyelets that allow it to be cut to custom lengths.

ACCESSORIES

Curtain-Tracks.com has everything you need for your privacy cubicle curtain project including connectors, eyelets, and stainless steel curtain hooks. The 7187 Beaded Chain Connector is a nickel plated 7-inch Beaded Chain Connector with Eyelets and allows spacing of carriers when the curtains are closed. This chain connector is recommended for curtains that require a drop of 16" or more. The 7183 Beaded Chain Eyelet Connector is used to connect the beaded chain (ball chain) to hooks, screws, bolt, or rivet and the 7142 Steel Curtain Hook easily attached to Curtain-Track carriers with a ring to allow for curtains with holes or grommets.

NOT JUST FOR HOSPITALS

You may notice drop chains in a hospital but they can also be used in non-medical settings to bridge the gap between a curtain and the curtain track that may be mounted higher than the height of the curtain. Oftentimes, they are used in a shower or around a claw foot tub in a bathroom with high ceilings. If this is the case for your project, Curtain-Tracks not only has drop chains in common lengths, we can also customize the length to meet your specific needs.

ALL-IN-ONE

Curtain tracks have many benefits. They are easy to install and are high quality to ensure years and years of use. But there are additional accessories that accompany your high-quality curtain track and we have made it easy for our customers by offering curtain track kits. In fact, the 84004 Ceiling Mount Curtain Track Kit includes a strong 8-foot curtain track with pre-drilled mounting holes on 16-inch centers for ceiling mount applications. The 84004 Ceiling Mount Curtain Track utilizes smooth rolling ball bearing carriers and is available in silver or white. This kit includes everything you need to complete your project, including: one 8 ft track (84004), twenty-eight ball bearing carriers (2 bags - 84100), two metal end stops (84132). Tracks can be mounted end to end for wider applications, but it is critical to get them aligned during installation. Looking to add a wand kit? Check out the 84114 Kit that allows the overlapping of curtains when drawn.

SOME PRAISE

We know this curtain track kit is fabulous but don’t just take it from us, take it from this Curtain-Tracks customer who says, “Used these for a 12 foot wall of windows and doors that were floor to ceiling so a curtain rod wouldn't work. These were easy to get up and what I loved is that I could slide a huge wall of curtains back to the side with ease using the wand and master carrier kit. These were used at our primary rear access door so we'd be moving them back and forth all the time. Having that smooth glide was a huge benefit in that sort of application. Going to buy some again for our patio door in our new house.”

JUST WHAT YOU NEED

When you are looking for curtain tracks for your next project, whether that be hanging curtains in your bedroom or over your sliding glass doors, the 84004 Ceiling Mount Curtain Track Kit may be just what you need.

SMOOTH OPERATOR

Do your curtains glide seamlessly on your curtain track? If they don't, we recommend doing a few different things.

1. Double check the curtain track. Is to completely smooth or is it bent a bit out of shape? If there is even a slight bend in the track, it can cause the carriers to get stuck and not glide smoothly.

2. If the track looks great, if you have two tracks joined, our next suggestion would be to inspect where the two tracks meet to make sure they are completely even.

3. If they look great, then check out the carriers. It just may be time to replace one or more of them.

TIME TO REPLACE

If #3 seems to be causing the issue, you may just need a replacement carrier. There are many curtain carriers/glides to choose from, including wheeled curtain carriers, friction curtain carriers, and master carriers.

Wheeled Curtain Carriers: Wheeled carriers/glides have wheels that roll in or on the track and they either extend on the outside of the carrier so they can roll inside the curtain track, or have they have wheels oriented inward so they can run on an I-Beam curtain track. Wheeled curtain carriers are especially smooth since the roll along the curtain track as opposed to sliding along the track like friction carriers/glides.

Friction Curtain Carriers: Friction curtain carriers slide into the curtain track or a slot that fits over an I-Beam curtain track. These carriers slide across the track instead of rolling and require a bit more force to move them. They are however, extremely durable and affordable.

Master Carriers: Master carriers are larger and are used on the leading edge of the curtains. Often used in hotels, when these carriers are used in a pair, they two curtain panels can come together and overlap, eliminating any light to shine through. Master carriers are available in both wheeled and friction carrier designs.

At Curtain-Tracks, we offer the largest online selection of carriers/glides so whether you are looking for a 2-wheel carrier, a ball-bearing carrier, wheeled snap carriers, or a button carrier with a stainless hook, or just about anything else, we have what you need.

Each carrier/glide on our website shares the compatible tracks at the bottom of the product listing page. If you still aren't sure what carrier will work best for your project, our team is happy to help. You can even send us a picture and we will do everything we can to help you with your project.

ALL IN ONE PLACE

At Curtain-Tracks, we have one of the widest online selections of drapery and curtain track systems in the US. We have hundreds of products ranging from curtain tracks and hardware to curtains and wands, all available on our website. And while we offer a wide range of products, we understand that the number of selections can be overwhelming. That is why we have a friendly team of customer service representatives available to answer your questions by phone and by email.kits

EASY AS 1...2...3

We've made it easy to navigate our website so you can easily find tracks, hooks, wands, and more. We have also created ceiling track kits like the 84003 Ceiling Mount Kit. This kit includes everything you need including all the necessary components for a strong 8 foot curtain track with outstanding performance for ceiling mount applications. Available in silver or white and includes one 8 ft track (84003), twenty-eight ball bearing carriers (2 bags - 84100) with steel ball bearings inside wheels that allow for ease of movement, two metal end stops (84132), and six ceiling clips (84152). Simply add a Master Carrier and Wand Kit (84114-Kit) for enhanced performance, or a splicer (84142) to combine kits for longer applications.This kit is perfect for floor-to-ceiling curtains and can be used with sliding glass doors or large windows.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED

Whether you are looking for a ceiling track kit, replacement parts, or something else, chances are you will find it on the Curtain-Tracks website. When you are done with your project, we would love to see pictures!

WHAT IS IT?

Have you ever wondered how you should use snap tape? This blog post will cover all of the bases so you can get started on your next window treatment project. Snap tape is sewn onto curtains to attach various snap carriers and is commonly used for ripple fold draperies and curtain panels. It has a 1" wide polyester webbing and nickel plated brass snaps placed 4.25 inches apart and attaches to the back of the curtain panel. Once sewn onto the back of the curtain, it snaps to your curtain carrier or glide of choice. The photo below shows a ripple fold curtain using 3091 snap tape, 7120 snap carriers and the 52124 curtain track.

3091 Snap Tape - sold by the yard or available in a 100 yard roll, is available in white, black or gray. There are many benefits to using snap tape but the most notable benefit is it allows for easy removal of the curtains from the drapery hardware for easy cleaning of the curtains.

COVER YOUR CARRIERS OR TRACK

If you want to cover your carriers, just sew the snap tape 1/4" from the top of the curtain header. If you want to cover the hardware and the track, bring the snap tape even lower on the curtain panel. When using the 3091 snap tape, we suggest placing the first snap approximately 1" from the side of the curtain like the photo below.

If you have questions on how to use snap tape on your next project, our team at Curtain-Tracks can help you achieve the look you are looking for!

Curtain Trolleys are used for many different applications like warehouses, workshops an even for stage curtains. They attach the curtains to the curtain track and allow for super smooth operation. At Curtain-Tracks, we offer several different trolleys (20!) - some with nylon wheels and others with steel wheels. Some have two wheels and others have four. Whatever your project, we most likely have what you need. Below are just a few!

Heavy Duty Industrial Curtain Trolleys with Nylon Wheels with a 1" hook is recommended when using curtains that weigh 100 pounds or less and less than 15 feet tall. This trolley can be found on our website as Part # 16NR1 and is our most popular trolley.

Our Industrial Trolley with Steel Wheels are recommended for curtains that weigh more than 100 pounds or over 15 feet tall. These rollers are compatible with the 16RT tracks. The steel hook provides a drop of 1 inch below the roller track, and offer a round nest at the bottom of the hook for use with curtains with grommets.

Industrial Trolley - 4 Steel Wheels - 1.5 Inch Steel Plate with double steel wheels on steel bodies are recommended for heavy curtains like those weighing more than 100 pounds or over 15 feet tall. The steel plate on this trolley provides a 1.5" drop below the roller track, and has a hole for a chain, hook, or other fastening methods.

TROLLEY APPLICATIONS

• Warehouse and truck bays
• Welding
• Vinyl strip warehouse, freezer, walk-in coolers, and reefer trucks
• Paint booth curtains
• Stage curtains
• Wash bays
• Gyms
• Woodworking areas

READY FOR A QUOTE?

If you are looking for a quote, you can easily request one on our website or contact a C-T team member!

NOT THE END

End Stops are recommended to be used on each end of a curtain track. They keep carriers or glides on the track and can be used to anchor the curtain at the end or in the middle of the curtain track as needed. On our website under the Hardware & Accessories tab, if you click on End Stops, you will find several that you can choose from.

A FAN FAVORITE

One of our favorites is the 88136 End Stop. The 88136 Metal End Stop is compatible with the 88001 Privacy Cubicle Track (Hospital Track), an aluminum track with silver satin finish commonly used in hospitals and clinics for privacy curtains. These End Stops have a metallic silver finish, are sold individually, and additional screws are not required. They are super easy to use!

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE?

If this isn't the exact end stop style you are looking for, we offer several additional choices available. Please don't hesitate to consult with a Curtain-Tracks team member to get expert advice and helpful hints. Give them a call at (888) 434-7444 and they will be happy to help!

IT'S A SNAP!

What exactly is snap tape? This isn't an uncommon question and quite frankly, we get asked it often. In fact, we have wriiten a popular blog post on this very topic sharing instructions on how you can add snap tape to your curtain panels.

The long and short of it is snap tape comes in a roll and is made with 1-inch wide polyester webbing and nickel plated brass snaps spaced 4.25 inches apart. It can be sewn directly onto a curtain you have purchased or custom made curtains and is especially popular on ripple fold draperies. The benefit of snap tape is it allows for easy removal of the curtains from the drapery hardware and eliminates the need to remove any hooks which is great when you are wanting to clean the curtains. It can also create a full look with your curtains when it is used with our 84106 carrier. If you just love the ripple fold look when your curtains are closed, the 84106 Wheeled Carrier- Corded for Ripple Fold is a fantastic choice. When attached to the snaps, this system will hold the ripples at desired uniform spacing. When it comes to curtain tracks, check out the 84003 & 84004.

For step by step instructions on using snap Tape on your curtain panels, check out our blog post! We are also always eager to help! You can contact our friendl;y customer service team with any questions at 1-888-465-0274.

TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE

Softening the look of a room by adding lush curtains is great but adding sheer panels is even better! When you want to hang two sets of curtains, the 84172 Double Wall Bracket is your best friend. This bracket system allows you to install two parallel tracks making it a perfect solution when adding sheers, plus curtains, to your windows.

ONE - TWO PUNCH

The 84172 Extra Long Double Bracket allows for two of our 84003 Ball-Bearing Curtain Tracks to be installed in parallel, can be mounted with up to a 4 inch clearance between tracks and needs 6 1/2 inch wall clearance for the outer track. This wall bracket is sold individually and is available in silver or white. Please note that mounting screws are not included with this bracket.

In a previous blog post, we shared the advantages of the 84172 Double Wall Bracket. "Our double wall brackets are similar to a double-rod system with one HUGE advantage: the brackets don’t interfere with the movement of the curtains. These brackets hold the track above the carriers, allowing them to slide right under. This is particularly important if you are covering a large area or a whole wall. With rods you would have to create a curtain panel for each section of the rod (and you will have several sections if the area is wide), but with curtain tracks you can cover the whole wall with one large curtain if you want to."

DOUBLE DOWN

Once you have your wall brackets and tracks installed, you can add your curtains. We can help with that, too! We offer a wide variety of curtains to fit almost any style, including a wide selection of Eclipse Light-Blocking Curtains available to over 35 colors and varying lengths and widths. If you are looking for ideas and inspiration for your project, contact our Customer Service Team or visit us on Pinterest.

LET THE LIGHT SHINE IN

When members of the Curtain-Tracks team travel, our eyes automatically go to the window in the hotel room, the curtain tracks, curtains and wand. We’re naturally curious. We want to see how that particular hotel chooses to decorate their guest rooms as well as the overall functionality of the products. We’ve seen some interesting things. For example, on a recent trip to a casino resort, a Curtain-Tracks team member noticed the beautifully appointed room, the heavy duty black out curtains, and the handy wand to pull the curtains closed. But when it was time for bed and the curtains were drawn closed, it was painfully obvious (by the neon lights streaming into the room) that the curtains didn’t close properly due to a missing carrier.

MINUS ONE

You may think, “What’s one missing carrier?” One missing carrier can be all that is keeping you from a solid night of sleep. When light streams into the room, especially when you prefer complete darkness, it’s distracting. We get it, it happens. Perhaps the hotel staff didn’t notice this issue - after all, they are most likely in the room doing maintenance and cleaning it only during daytime hours. But if you find yourself in a situation like this while at home, we can help.

ALL THE IMPORTANT PARTS

Carriers are an important piece of the curtain track system. A quality carrier keeps your curtains gliding easily on the track and when used properly and in all the right places on your curtains, can help keep even the smallest sliver of light out of your room. Our Master Carriers and Wand Kit is specifically designed for this. It offers superior stability and overlap of curtains when drawn. That means no light will shine in at night! This kit includes a left and right master carrier and two 36 inch clear acrylic wands with clips for easy attachment.

EXTRAS?

We have a wide variety of carriers for you to choose from and if you are missing a carrier from an already existing curtain track system, chances are, we have what you need. If we don’t, we are glad to help you locate the right product. After all, we care about all of our customers and hope you all sleep soundly tonight!

NOT SO SMOOTH

Sometimes we take things for granted, like how curtains are supposed to glide smoothly on a curtain track. They should open and close easily without a second thought. But that's not always the case.

On a recent trip to Utah, a Curtain-Tracks team member stayed in a hotel and after settling in, went to the window to open the eclipse curtains using a wand to let some light into the room and to check out the view. Should have been easy-peasy. But these carriers didn't glide... force had to be used to open and close the curtains using the wand. How irritating...

NEXT STEPS

In a case like this, we always recommend double checking the track to make sure it isn't bent out of shape. A track that is bent can cause carriers to get stuck and not move easily. If that isn't the problem, we suggest checking to see if there are two tracks joined and that they are even. If the track looks good, then the carriers should be looked at. It just may be time to replace one or more of them. For these particular curtains, our 84100 and 84102 ball bearing carriers are super smooth plus they are affiordable. They are made of alloy so they resist rusting and they are 20% - 25% smaller than traditional curtain carriers. That means there is less stacking space and the curtains will open into a smaller space. So not only are they smooth, they also allow the curtains to be be pulled back further revealing a bigger view from the window.

Not sure what carrier is right for your project? Our website has a wide variety of carriers, like Sew-In Button Carriers, the 7120 Curtain Track Single Snap Carrier, the 84104 Wheeled Snap Carrier, plus so many more. You are sure to find the perfect one for your project, but if you aren't 100% sure what carriers would work best, give us a call. We'd love to help.

When anyone ends up in the hospital, they want to have confidence in their doctors, nurses, staff and the facility where these professionals work. The reality with hospital rooms is that they see heavy traffic and endure a lot of use and abuse. Sometimes it’s the little things that patients may notice about their hospital room, and below we cite the perfect example.

Sure, we applaud the ingenuity of the person that stuffed a rubber glove into the end of the track to keep the carriers from falling out. However, replacing the end stop is a quick and inexpensive fix and it would go great lengths to improve the appearance of the hospital room and help to inspire that confidence all patients seek.

Curtain-Tracks.com offers two Privacy Cubicle Track End Stops that would do the job in this particular case, and it’s only a $2 fix!

88136 Metal End Stop for Privacy Cubicle Track

88132 Plastic End Stop with Removable Gate for Privacy Cubicle Track

While they are at it, it looks like the hooks on their carries are bent and could stand to be replaced. Some may be missing since the end stop failed. Curtain-Tracks.com has got them covered there as well with several hospital track carriers available including what is shown in the picture above.

88102 Two Wheel Carrier with Ball Chain and Hook

TIME TO STRETCH

At Curtain-Tracks, we offer quality products that include curtain tracks, carriers, end stops, hooks and curtains. But did you know we also carry products that are extremely useful but aren’t curtains, curtain tracks or drapery hardware? We offer several handy items that we think you will love and one of them includes our bungee cords.

NOT YOUR REGULAR BUNGEE CORD

This isn't just a bungee cord, it's a little different than the standard cord you find at a hardware store. Our bungee cords are a corded loop with a single chrome-colored hook at the end. It is ten inches long and can stretch to twice its length. The beauty about our bungee cords is they are very secure and the loop allows the cord to be wrapped around an object (like a pole or frame), or through a hole (like a grommet). The hook is then put through the hoop and hooked to the other side, making it extra secure.

SO MANY USES

Many of our customers use these bungee cords to secure large tarps, boat covers, tie-downs for pick-up beds, tents and awnings. If you add our EasyKlip Banner and Tarp Clips, you can easily hang signs and banners. Available in white or black, they come 10 per pack.

Speaking of our EasyKlip Banner and Tarp Clips, they grip tarps, clear poly, velour, muslin and countless other materials & fabrics, quickly and easily with a permanent hold. Available in white or black, they are ideal for tarp repair, tarp grommet replacement, hanging banners, suspending signs or anytime you need a clip to get a grip on material. The heavier the load - the greater the grip!

MORE THAN JUST TRACKS

We are always excited to talk about our curtain tracks and drapery hardware but we also love sharing information on our other great products like our bungee cords and EasyKlip Banner and Tarp Clips. Surf around our website to learn more about all of our products. You might come across an item that you just have to have!

HOCUS POCUS

Have you ever had to open curtains that are hung from a high ceiling? If you have, did you have to tug on them to open and close them or did you use a wand? A curtain wand (also known as a baton), is often added to curtains, whether they are at standard height or on tall windows. The wand allows for added ease when opening and closing. This handy-dandy item is often overlooked because let's face it, it's not an especially glamorous accessory. But this small piece of hardware allows for seamless opening and closing of curtains and you will find them at many establishments, most commonly, in hotels and homes. In fact, we would almost bet you will find them in 90% of the hotels you visit!

NOT FLASHY

We will admit that the wand, or baton, is one of our favorite pieces of hardware. Our 84182 White Fiberglass Wand and 7136 Clear Acrylic Wand can be attached to almost any curtain simply by clipping it to the last carrier. It's not flashy but once installed, the wand allows you to easily open and close curtains, even those heavy draperies hung from a tall ceiling. If you are looking for a kit, our Master Carriers & Wands (Batons) Kit might be just what you are looking for. It has 8 Wheel Master Carriers to offer superior stability and overlap of curtains when drawn. Includes a left and right master carrier and two 36 inch clear acrylic wands with clips for easy attachment. The wands are hidden out of sight behind the curtain when clipped to master carrier.

WHY ASK WHY?

Our customers often ask us, "Why should I use a wand when I can just pull the curtains open?" The answer is simple. Using a wand can help save your curtain track, carriers and curtains from dirty hands and wear and tear. An added bonus: they are inexpensive!

GO FOR IT

The function of these little magic wands is pretty awesome. The next time you are working on a project, consider adding a wand. If you already use one, we would love to hear your thoughts.

LET'S SING

Peter, Paul and Mary once sang a song that was not only famous, but extremely catchy as well. "Where have all the flowers gone?" is the theme for this post. That means everytime you ask yourself, "Where have all the carriers gone?" you have to sing it to the tune of this song!

Although we make light of the fact that curtain carriers do go missing, it is a very real question we must ask. Where do they really go? Well, if you didn't buy your curtain tracks and hardware from Curtain-Tracks, they could very well have disappeared due to low quality. Rest assured, we can help. We have a large inventory of carriers, glides, hooks, brackets, end stops, and accessories, and we can almost always find the correct drapery hardware that will work with your current curtain track, even if it is not one of ours.

REPLACEMENT PARTS TO THE RESCUE!

We often hear from our customers when they are missing carriers in their showers. We had a customer who was missing several carriers and the remaining ones were in poor working order. After speaking with him and learning more about the products currently being used, he was able to keep his existing curtain track simply by purchasing a full set of our 7122 Curtain Track Button Carriers. The 7122 Button Carrier has a stainless steel hook and provides a ready made accessory to hang curtains with pre-existing holes -p perfect for shower curtains! By keeping his existing track, he was able to save time and money. Win-win.

CAN WE HELP?

Can we help get your curtain track working for you again? Call our Customer Service Team at 888-465-0274 or send us some pictures at info@curtain-tracks.com and we will do our best to get your curtain track up and running again. As always, we are here to help and maybe, just maybe, you will be able to get that song out of your head once your track and hardware are ready to go.