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How To Choose Curtain Styles? A 25-Year Factory Expert Explains With 6 Questions.

2025-12-30 10:41:18
How To Choose Curtain Styles? A 25-Year Factory Expert Explains With 6 Questions.

Still struggling with curtain pleats, installation, and fabric ratios? A 25-year factory expert decodes all the styles for you with 6 key questions — no more confusion after reading.

Question 1: Why is choosing the right curtain processing style more important than choosing the right fabric?


As a curtain factory with 25 years of experience, we've seen too many clients: they spent a high price on good fabric, but because the style was chosen incorrectly,

the final effect was greatly diminished. The processing style of a curtain directly determines:


1. Final Aesthetics: Is it sharp and structured, or naturally casual?


2. Installation Method: Is it grommet, hook, or rod pocket?


3. User Experience: Does it open and close smoothly? Is it easy to clean?


4. Space Compatibility: Is it suitable for a curtain rod or a track? Can it cover unsightly window frames?


You could say, fabric is the "skin" of the curtain, while the processing style is its "skeleton." Today, we'll use 6 key questions to help you understand all the mainstream styles on the market.

Question 2: What are the most common curtain styles on the market? What are their characteristics?

We categorize them into 6 major types. You can quickly understand them from the table below:

Style Type

Core Characteristic in One Sentence

Visual Style

Grommet

Directly threads onto the rod, creating even, neat pleats.

Modern, Minimalist

Hook Style (Prong Hook)

Freely adjustable height and pleat density, the versatile choice.

Classic, Universal

Pleated Style (Korean Pleat)

Pleats are fixed, hooks are pre-attached at the factory, ready to hang.

Luxury, Refined

Rod Pocket

Fabric pocket slides onto the rod, creating a casual look.

Rustic, Relaxed

Tie-Top / Tab-Top

Hung using fabric ties or loops, highly decorative.

Cottage, Cute

S-Fold / Wave Curtain

Requires a dedicated track system to form regular wave curves.

Elegant, Artistic

Question 3: How is each style specifically installed? What are the track requirements?

This is where mistakes happen most easily. Please read carefully:

1)Grommet: Must be paired with a round curtain rod. Thread the rod through the top grommets like beads. Difficult to move after installation; requires sturdy rod and bracket support.

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2)Hook Style (Prong Hook): Fits all tracks (straight, bent). Requires you to insert the prong hooks into the top header tape and then hang them on the track gliders. Most flexible, but requires a bit of DIY skill.

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3)Pleated Style (Korean Pleat): Fits all tracks and curtain rods. The factory pre-attaches plastic adjustable hooks to each pleat. You simply hook them onto the track or the rings on a rod. Height is micro-adjustable. Most friendly for beginners.

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4)Rod Pocket: Must be paired with an exposed decorative rod (wood, metal, etc.). Slide the rod through the top pocket. Requires confirming the rod diameter in advance.

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5)Tie-Top / Tab-Top: Suits slender decorative rods. Simply loop or tie the fabric tabs onto the rod. Simple installation, but light seal.

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6)S-Fold Curtain: Must purchase the matching dedicated track and pulley system as a set. The curtain attaches via screw buttons on a special tape to specific pulleys on the track, forming the waves. This is a "turnkey" system requiring integrated

purchase.

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Question 4: What does "1:2 fullness" mean in curtains? Is the fabric ratio the same for different styles?

"Fabric Ratio" (Fullness) refers to the ratio of the finished curtain width to the window or track width. A higher ratio uses more fabric, resulting in denser, fuller pleats and higher cost.

The optimal ratio is completely different for various styles:

1)Economical (1:1.8 - 2.0): Suitable for Hook Style, Rod Pocket. Pleats are relatively flat.

2)Standard & Aesthetic (1:2.0 - 2.3): Suitable for Grommet, Hook Style. Full effect.

3)Luxury (1:2.5 - 3.0): Essential for S-Fold Curtains and Pleated Style (Korean Pleat) to form three-dimensional pleats or waves.

Special Note: The S-Fold Curtain is a precise system. Its fabric ratio (i.e., "fullness") is determined by the combined specifications of [Pulley Distance] and [Curtain Tape Distance] to achieve the optimal wave effect.

4)Taking our Foulola S-Fold Curtain system as an example, the specific parameter matching is shown in the table below. You can use this as a reference when choosing, but final calculation should be done by professionals based on your window size and selected fabric.

5)Foulola S-Fold Curtain System Parameter Table:

Pulley Distance

Curtain Tape Distance

Recommended Fabric Ratio (Approx.)

Min. Box Width for Single Track

Min. Box Width for Double Track

60MM

107MM

1 : 1.8

110MM

220MM

125MM

1 : 2.1

130MM

260MM

145MM

1 : 2.5

150MM

300MM

70MM

107MM

1 : 1.6

110MM

220MM

125MM

1 : 1.9

130MM

260MM

145MM

1 : 2.8

150MM

300MM

80MM

107MM

1 : 1.4

110MM

220MM

125MM

1 : 1.6

130MM

260MM

145MM

1 : 1.9

150MM

300MM

Question 5: Which style is the most hassle-free? Which is the most troublesome to clean?

Ranked by ease of installation and long-term maintenance:

Top 3 for Easiest Installation:

1)Pleated Style (Korean Pleat): Hooks pre-attached at the factory, just hang it up.

2)Tie-Top / Rod Pocket: Simple structure, just slide onto the rod.

3)S-Fold Curtain: Click into the matching track.
(Hook Style requires self-attaching hooks, slightly troublesome for beginners.)

Top 3 for Easiest Cleaning & Maintenance:

1)Pleated Style / Grommet / Rod Pocket / Tie-Top / S-Fold Curtain: Because the pleats or structure of these styles are fixed, the shape remains largely unchanged after washing and drying. Simply hang them back to restore.

2)Hook Style (Prong Hook): Requires re-attaching the hooks after washing, the only style needing hands-on work again.

Question 6: Finally, how should I choose? Can you give direct advice?

Of course! Based on your core needs, find your match directly:

1)Choose Pleated Style (Korean Pleat) if you: Pursue a refined feel, are a renovation novice, want hassle-free installation and cleaning, and have a sufficient budget.

2)Choose Hook Style if you: Need flexible height adjustment (e.g., radiator under the window), don't mind frequent disassembly for washing, or have irregular window sizes.

3)Choose S-Fold Curtain if you: Pursue ultimate design sense and flowing lines, and are willing to invest in the matching track system for the complete effect.

4)Choose Grommet if you: Have a modern, minimalist-style curtain rod at home, and the installation position is final.

5)Choose Rod Pocket / Tie-Top if you: Have a homestay, cafe, or spaces like a children's room or tea room that need a relaxed atmosphere.

Final, honest advice from the factory:

1)Measurement is the top priority! Especially for styles requiring high dimensional accuracy like S-Fold and Korean Pleats, measure repeatedly.

2)Think before you decide: Hook Style is the most forgiving of errors; other styles have strict size requirements.

3)The system determines the effect: S-Fold Curtains require buying the track and curtain together; Grommet must be paired with a curtain rod.

We hope this "Q&A Manual," infused with our 25 years of experience, will clear all your doubts and help you easily choose the perfect curtain for your home.

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