A Complete Guide to Wave Curtains

What are Wave Curtains?

Wave curtains are a sleek and modern choice for window treatments, offering a flowing design that adds a touch of sophistication to any room. Unlike traditional curtains that rely on pleats or gathers, wave curtains utilise a special flat tape sewn into the heading. This tape is key to creating those soft, 'S'-shaped waves that give wave curtains their distinctive ripple effect when drawn.

Silent Gliss patented the first Wave curtain system and are widely considered to be the best available. We supply the complete range of Silent Gliss wave curtain tracks, as well as the the Silent Gliss Metropole range, which is also compatible with wave curtains.

One of the major advantages of wave curtains is their ability to enhance natural light in your space. When open, these curtains stack into neat, uniform folds, allowing plenty of light to filter through and brighten up the room. This feature makes wave curtains perfect for anyone who loves a clean, contemporary look while still enjoying the benefits of natural light.

Choosing the Right Wave Size: 60mm vs. 80mm

The decision between 60mm and 80mm spacing is important as it impacts both the look and functionality of your curtains. Here’s what you shouldconsider:

60mm Wave Spacing

The 60mm wave spacing creates a shallower wave pattern, resulting in smaller, more subtle folds. This option is ideal if:

• Space is limited: The shallower waves mean that the curtains take up less depth when stacked back, making this a great choice for smaller rooms or tighter spaces.
• You prefer a more understated look: The 60mm waves offer a minimalist and subtle appearance, perfect for a modern, clean-lined aesthetic.
• You have narrower windows: For smaller windows, the 60mm spacing creates a proportional look, ensuring the waves don’t overpower the space.

80mm Wave Spacing

The 80mm wave spacing creates deeper, more pronounced waves, resulting in larger, more dramatic folds. Consider this option if:

• You want a more luxurious feel: The deeper waves provide a more opulent and visually striking effect, adding elegance to your space.
• You have larger windows: For wide or tall windows, the 80mm waves can balance the scale of the window, creating a bold and cohesive look.
• You prefer a more pronounced wave effect: The 80mm spacing enhances the wave pattern, making it a standout feature in the room. This is ideal if you want the curtains to be a focal point in your interior design.

Practical Considerations

• Fabric Requirements: 80mm waves typically require more fabric due to the deeper folds, which means you’ll need to factor this into your fabric calculations.
• Stackback: Curtains with 80mm wave spacing will have a larger stackback (the space taken up by the curtains when fully open) compared to 60mm waves. Make sure you have enough wall space on either side of the window to accommodate the stackback without obstructing the view.

How to Measure for Wave Curtains

Measuring for wave curtains is a crucial step to ensure they hang beautifully and function perfectly in your space. The following guidelines are based on the Silent Gliss Workroom Guide.

1. Measure the Track Length

2. Decide on Glider Cord Spacing

Next, decide whether you will use the 60mm or 80mm glider cord spacing. The glider cord spacing will affect both the fullness of your curtains and the amount of fabric required.

3. Measure the Curtain Drop (Length)

To measure the curtain drop, start from the top of the track and measure down to where you want the curtains to end—whether it’s the floor, the windowsill, or just below the window. Silent Gliss recommends adding a top hem allowance of 75mm for standard wave gliders or 95mm for roller gliders. This ensures a professional finish and accounts for the heading tape.

If you’re using roller gliders (SG 6099), remember to position the heading tape 7mm down from the top edge of the curtain. It’s important to include these allowances in your measurement to ensure the curtains hang correctly.

4. Consider Stackback and Clearance

When measuring for wave curtains, it’s important to consider the stackback—the space the curtains take up when fully open. The stackback depends on the glider cord spacing and the fullness ratio. For instance, with 80mm glider cords, you can expect a stack depth of 160mm for a 2.3 fullness ratio, as suggested by Silent Gliss.

Additionally, ensure there’s enough clearance on either side of the window or door to accommodate the stacked curtains without obstructing the view or access. The Silent Gliss Workroom Guide provides detailed dimensions for minimum clearance based on your chosen glider cord spacing and curtain fullness.

5. Calculate the Number of Hooks and Tape Length

Finally, you’ll need to calculate the number of hooks required based on your track length and glider cord spacing. Silent Gliss provides tables in their workroom guide to help you determine the correct number of hooks. Alternatively, you can use our Wave Calculator Google Sheet for a precise measurement.

Once you know the number of hooks, you can calculate the length of the heading tape. Remember to add a few extra pockets for hemming (8 pockets for 60mm glider cord and 10 pockets for 80mm glider cord) as advised by Silent Gliss.

How to Calculate Fabric for Wave Curtains

Getting the fabric quantity right is key to achieving the perfect wave curtains. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to ensure your curtains hang beautifully, incorporating recommendations from the Silent Gliss Workroom Guide to avoid common pitfalls.

1. Measure the Track Width

Start by measuring the full width of the window or the track where the curtains will be hung. If you want the curtains to extend beyond the window frame, add some extra width.

2. Determine the Fullness Ratio

Wave curtains create a stylish, flowing effect that requires extra fabric. The fullness ratio—the amount of fabric needed to create the waves—typically ranges from 2.1:1 to 2.3:1, depending on the glider cord spacing and pocket factor. Silent Gliss specifically recommends using a 2.3:1 ratio for their 80mm glider cord with a pocket factor of 7, which results in deeper, more pronounced waves.

For example, if your track is 2 meters wide and you’re using a 2.3:1 fullness ratio, you’ll need 4.6 meters of fabric (2 meters x 2.3). It’s crucial to check your specific wave system's requirements to ensure you’re using the correct ratio.

3. Measure the Curtain Length

Next, measure from the top of the track to where you want the curtains to end—whether it’s the floor, the windowsill, or just below the window. Silent Gliss recommends adding a top hem of 75mm for standard wave gliders or 95mm for roller gliders to ensure a professional finish. Additionally, they advise using their Wave Top Hemming Tape (SG 6363) to prevent puckering and achieve a clean look.

If using roller gliders (SG 6099), sew the heading tape 7mm down from the top edge of the curtain. 

4. Account for Fabric Width, Seams, and Shrinkage

Silent Gliss points out that many fabrics reduce in width when sewn. It’s important to allow for this potential shrinkage when cutting your fabric to avoid ending up with less width than needed.

5. Consider Fabric Suitability

Not all fabrics work well with wave curtains. According to Silent Gliss, suitable fabrics include voiles, lined cotton, and interlined silk. Fabrics that are stiff, heavily embroidered, or have irregular vertical stripes may not create the desired wave effect. They recommend a simple test: hold the top of the fabric and see if it forms soft waves without too much effort. If it does, it’s likely suitable for wave curtains.

6. Calculate the Length of Heading Tape

Silent Gliss strongly advises calculating the exact length of heading tape needed before cutting your fabric. You can use our Wave Calculator Google Sheet for precise measurements, or manually calculate by counting the required number of pockets on the tape based on your glider cord spacing and pocket factor. For instance, for a system using 80mm glider cord and a 7-pocket factor, you'll need to calculate the number of hooks and then determine the tape length accordingly, as detailed in their workroom guide.

7. Hook Placement

Hook placement is crucial for ensuring the waves form correctly. Silent Gliss specifies that, for 80mm glider cords, hooks should be placed in the 4th pocket from the edge, and then inserted according to the pocket factor used during the heading tape calculation. If using roller gliders, place the hooks in the bottom row of pockets.

Quick Calculation Example

• Track Width: 2 meters
• Fullness Ratio: 2.3 (as recommended by Silent Gliss for 80mm glider cords)
• Fabric Width Needed: 2 meters x 2.3 = 4.6 meters
• Curtain Length: 2.5 meters + 75mm top hem + additional for heading (if needed) = approximately 2.58 meters per panel

If you’re making two panels, you’ll need a total of 11.88 square meters of fabric, but adjust for any pattern repeats or additional fabric required by your wave tape.