Welcome to the Direct Fabrics Glossary of Terms. This glossary is designed to help you understand the various terms and phrases commonly used in the world of fabrics, curtains, tracks and blinds. Whether you are a professional interior designer, contract specifier, or a homeowner looking to enhance your living space, this glossary will provide you with clear definitions of key terms. Use the search box below, or jump straight to a letter, to quickly find what you need.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 0-9 | |
| 3 Pass Blackout | A type of blackout fabric that has three layers, providing complete light blockage and enhanced thermal insulation. It is commonly used in curtains and blinds to ensure total darkness. Read our fabrics & materials guide. |
| 3" Pencil Pleat Curtains | Curtains with a heading tape sewn at the top, creating tight, evenly spaced folds that resemble the size of a pencil. The 3" refers to the width of the heading tape. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| 44mm Eyelet Heading | A curtain heading style with metal eyelets (rings) at the top of the curtain, allowing it to be threaded onto a curtain rod. The 44mm refers to the diameter of the eyelets. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| A | |
| Acoustic Absorption | The ability of a material or fabric to absorb sound energy, reducing echo and reverberation within a space, leading to better acoustics. Read our acoustics guide. |
| Acoustic Insulation | Materials or fabrics designed to block or reduce the transmission of sound through them, enhancing the soundproofing of a room. Read our acoustics guide. |
| B | |
| Bay Window Track | A curtain track manufactured or bent to follow the angled shape of a bay window, so the curtain runs smoothly around the curve rather than hanging straight across it. Shop curtain tracks. |
| Billet Hook Stage Curtains | Curtains used in theatres and stages that are hung using billet hooks. These hooks attach to the curtain and allow for easy hanging and removal. Shop curtains. |
| Blackout Curtains | Curtains made with fabric designed to block out light completely, often used in bedrooms, media rooms, or any space where light control is necessary. Shop curtains. |
| Blackout Lining | A special lining used in curtains to block out light completely. Blackout lining is not black in colour but is often ivory or another light colour to reflect heat and enhance energy efficiency. Shop curtain lining. |
| Bottom Bar | The weighted bar fitted along the bottom edge of a roller blind fabric, keeping it taut and hanging straight as it raises and lowers. Shop roller blinds. |
| BS5867, BS7175, BS5852 Crib 5 | These are British Standards for testing the fire resistance of fabrics and furnishings:
|
| Buckram | A stiff woven material sewn or bonded into the top of a curtain heading, such as a pencil pleat or eyelet tape, to give it body and help it hold its shape. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| C | |
| Cafe Curtains | Short curtains that cover only the lower half of a window, traditionally used to provide privacy at street level while still allowing light into the top of the window. Shop curtains. |
| Cartridge Pleat | A curtain heading made up of rounded, cylindrical pleats that hold their shape using internal buckram or wadding, giving a soft, formal, rolled appearance. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| Chain Safety Device | A breakaway or tensioning fitting used on chain-operated blinds to reduce the risk of strangulation, required under UK and EU child safety regulations. Read our general guidance. |
| Cleat | A small wall-mounted fitting used to wind and secure a blind's cord safely out of reach, reducing the risk of looped cords as a child safety hazard. Read our general guidance. |
| Colour Fastness | A measure of how well a dyed fabric resists fading when exposed to light, washing, or rubbing. Higher colour fastness ratings indicate better long-term colour retention. Read our fabrics & materials guide. |
| Contract Grade Fabric | Fabric manufactured and tested to a higher specification for commercial environments such as hotels, healthcare, and education, typically covering fire performance, abrasion resistance, and durability. Shop curtain fabrics. |
| Corded Track | A curtain track operated by pulling a cord rather than drawing the curtain by hand, reducing wear on the fabric and allowing the curtain to be opened or closed from a distance. Shop curtain tracks. |
| Cubicle Track / Cubicle Curtain | A curtain track and curtain system designed for hospital and care settings, typically ceiling mounted around a bed space to provide patient privacy. Cubicle curtains are usually disposable or laundered to infection control standards. Read our cubicle curtain rail guide. |
| Curtain Drop - Hem to Hem Measurement | The vertical length of the curtain from the top hem to the bottom hem. Note: For 44mm eyelet curtains, an additional upstand is added to this measurement. Read our measuring guide. |
| Curtain Fullness | The ratio of the fabric width to the window width, creating a fuller or more gathered appearance. Common fullness ratios are 1.5x, 2x, or 3x the width of the window. Read our measuring guide. |
| Curtain Header | The top part of a curtain that attaches to the curtain rod or track. Various styles include pencil pleat, eyelet, and pinch pleat. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| Curtain Pole | A rod from which curtains are hung. Curtain poles can be decorative and come in various materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. Shop curtain poles. |
| Curtain Rings | Rings that slide onto a curtain pole and attach to the top of the curtain, allowing it to open and close smoothly. Shop curtain pole spares. |
| E | |
| Electric Curtain Track | A motorised curtain track that opens and closes the curtain automatically via remote control or a smart home system, rather than by hand or cord. Shop curtain tracks. |
| End Caps for Curtain Track | Decorative or functional caps placed at the ends of the curtain track to prevent the gliders from sliding off and to provide a finished look. Shop track spares & gliders. |
| Exact Width for Blind | The precise measurement of the width of a blind. Direct Fabrics manufactures blinds to the exact width specified by the customer. Read our measuring guide. |
| F | |
| Fabric Width | The measurement of the width of a fabric roll, typically given in centimetres or inches. It indicates how wide the fabric is when it is unrolled. Shop curtain fabrics. |
| Fabric Width for Blind | The width of the fabric used in a blind, which will be slightly less than the total width of the blind to accommodate the hardware and mechanisms. Read our measuring guide. |
| Fascia | A decorative front panel fitted to a roller blind that conceals the roller tube and brackets, giving a neater finished appearance. Shop roller blinds. |
| Fitting Height | The height at which the curtain track is mounted on the wall or ceiling. This measurement is crucial for ensuring the correct length of the curtains. For cord and chain lengths for roller blinds and curtain tracks, the chain is made to fitting height less 150cm to ensure they are child safety compliant to BBSA standards. Read our installation guide. |
| Flame Retardant Fabrics | Fabrics that have been treated or manufactured to resist burning and withstand exposure to flame. These fabrics reduce the risk of fire and are commonly used in commercial and public environments. Shop flame retardant fabrics. |
| French Pleat | Another name for triple pinch pleat curtains, where groups of three pleats are stitched together at the top of the curtain to create a formal, structured heading. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| G | |
| Goblet Pleat | A curtain heading style similar to a cartridge or pinch pleat but with a wider, goblet-shaped top, often filled with wadding to hold its rounded shape. Considered a formal, decorative heading. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| GSM (Grams per Square Metre) | A measure of fabric weight, indicating how many grams a square metre of the fabric weighs. Higher GSM generally means a heavier, more substantial fabric. Shop curtain fabrics. |
| GTOT | An abbreviation for "Total Solar Energy Transmittance." It measures the effectiveness of a fabric in blocking solar energy from entering a space, combining both direct solar transmission and secondary heat transfer. Read our fabrics & materials guide. |
| H | |
| Headrail | The top horizontal component of a blind that houses the operating mechanism and from which the blind hangs, whether roller, vertical, or Venetian. Shop blinds. |
| Hems | The edges of the curtain that are folded and sewn to prevent fraying and to create a neat finish. The bottom hem is typically wider than the side hems. Read our made to measure guide. |
| I | |
| Inherent FR vs Treated FR | Inherent flame retardant fabrics have fire resistance built into the fibre itself and retain this property for the life of the fabric. Treated FR fabrics have a flame retardant coating applied, which can reduce in effectiveness over time or after repeated washing. Read our flame retardant guide. |
| Interlined Curtains | Curtains with an additional layer of fabric sewn between the main fabric and the lining, providing extra insulation and a fuller appearance. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| M | |
| Made to Measure | Custom-made curtains or blinds tailored to the exact size requirements of a window. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| Martindale Rub Test | A standard durability test for upholstery and curtain fabrics, measuring abrasion resistance by counting the number of rubs a fabric withstands before showing wear. Commonly required for contract fabric specifications. Read our fabrics & materials guide. |
| Master Carrier | The lead glider on a corded curtain track to which the draw cord is attached, controlling the movement of the rest of the carriers along the track. Shop track spares & gliders. |
| Motorized Curtains | Curtains that are opened and closed using a motor, which can be controlled via remote control or a smart home system. Shop curtain tracks. |
| N | |
| Net Curtains | Lightweight, semi-transparent curtains often used to provide privacy while still allowing light to enter a room. Shop curtains. |
| O | |
| Overlap Arms | Fittings at the centre of a corded curtain track that cause the two curtain panels to overlap slightly when closed, preventing a gap or light line down the middle. Shop track spares & gliders. |
| P | |
| Pair or Single Curtain | Refers to whether the curtains are supplied as a single panel or as a pair of panels. A pair is typically used to cover a window, with each panel covering half the window when closed. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| Pattern Repeat | The vertical distance before a printed or woven fabric design repeats itself. A larger pattern repeat requires more fabric to match the pattern across multiple curtain widths. Read our fabrics & materials guide. |
| Pelmets | A framework placed above a window, used to conceal curtain fixtures and add a decorative element to the window treatment. Shop curtain poles. |
| R | |
| Railroaded Curtains | Curtains made from fabric that is turned sideways (railroaded) so that the width of the fabric becomes the height of the curtain. This technique can eliminate vertical seams. Read our made to measure guide. |
| Recess Track | A curtain track designed to be fitted within a window recess rather than across the wall above it, sitting inside the reveal rather than overlapping it. Shop curtain tracks. |
| Recess Width for Blind | The width of a blind measured to fit within the window recess. Direct Fabrics makes a deduction to ensure the blind mechanisms fit properly within the recess. Read our measuring guide. |
| Roll Length | The length of fabric on a roll, often measured in metres or yards. For example, a roll length of 50m indicates that there are 50 metres of fabric on the roll. Shop curtain fabrics. |
| Roman Blinds | A type of window blind made from fabric that folds up into pleats when raised. Shop roman blind kits. |
| S | |
| Sash Curtains | Lightweight curtains that are designed to be hung on sash windows, usually attached with small rods at the top and bottom. Shop curtains. |
| Sheer Curtains | Lightweight, translucent curtains that allow light to pass through while providing some level of privacy. Often used in combination with heavier drapes. Shop curtains. |
| Side Return / Hems | The extra fabric at the sides of the curtain that returns to the wall, providing a finished look and better light control. Side hems refer to the finished edges along the sides of the curtain. Read our measuring guide. |
| Solar Control Fabrics | Fabrics designed to reduce heat gain and glare from the sun. These fabrics help to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and protect interior furnishings from UV damage. Shop curtain fabrics. |
| Substrate of Wall / Ceiling | The material or surface to which the curtain track or blind fittings are mounted, such as drywall, plaster, concrete, or wood. Understanding the substrate is important for selecting appropriate mounting hardware. Read our installation guide. |
| Swags and Tails | A style of curtain drapery where fabric is draped in a curve across the top of a window and cascades down the sides. Shop curtain poles. |
| T | |
| Tab Top Curtains | Curtains with fabric loops sewn along the top edge, through which a curtain pole is threaded, giving a relaxed, casual hanging style. Shop curtains. |
| Thermal Transmittance (U-value) | A measure of how much heat passes through a fabric or material, expressed in W/m²K. A lower U-value means better thermal insulation. Direct Fabrics tests its fabrics for thermal transmittance to DIN EN ISO 8990 via an accredited STFI laboratory. Shop curtain fabrics. |
| Tiebacks | Decorative pieces of fabric or rope used to hold curtains open. They can be purely decorative or functional. Shop curtain pole spares. |
| Track Gliders | Small fittings that attach to the curtain and slide along the curtain track, allowing the curtain to be opened and closed smoothly. Shop track spares & gliders. |
| Track Joiner | A fitting used to connect two lengths of curtain track end to end, allowing a single continuous track to be built up to cover a wider span. Shop track spares & gliders. |
| Track Width | The total length of the curtain track from end to end. It determines the width of the curtain set to cover the window or space. Read our measuring guide. |
| Triple Pinch Pleat Curtains | Curtains with groups of three pleats sewn together at the top, creating a decorative and structured appearance. This style offers a formal, elegant look. Also known as a French pleat. Shop made to measure curtains. |
| V | |
| Valance | A short curtain or piece of fabric that hangs across the top of a window, often used to conceal curtain fittings or add a decorative touch. |
| Venetian Blinds | Window blinds made of horizontal slats that can be tilted to control light and privacy. Shop blinds. |
| Vertical Blinds | Window blinds with vertical slats that can be tilted to control light and privacy and can be pulled to the side to open. Shop vertical blinds. |
| W | |
| Wand Control | A rigid plastic rod used to tilt or rotate the slats or louvres of a vertical or Venetian blind without using a cord, often preferred for child safety. Shop vertical blinds. |
| Wave Heading (S-Fold) | A curtain heading that creates smooth, continuous S-shaped waves across the top of the curtain, achieved using a wave tape and compatible glide track. Increasingly popular for a modern, minimal look. Shop curtain tracks. |
| Window Reveal / Recess | The area inside the window frame where a blind or curtain is fitted. It refers to the depth and space within the window opening. Read our measuring guide. |