Curtain and blind hardware does more than hold things up — it affects proportions, light gaps, and how the entire system looks once installed. This part covers where to mount your treatments (wall or ceiling), how to plan for track depth and headrail placement, and how pelmets or recesses can give your window treatments a built-in, intentional finish.
Window treatments don’t just hang in space – they rely on hardware that’s often overlooked in the design process. And yet, things like mounting height, track type, and pelmet construction have a profound effect on how your curtains and blinds look and function.
When we put thought into the hardware, it disappears – not because it’s hidden, but because it looks natural in the space. This guide covers the essentials of hardware planning, so your curtains and blinds feel integrated.
Mounting Position: Ceiling or Wall?
Your first decision is where the track or blind system is mounted. This changes the visual proportions of the space, and how “built-in” the treatment feels.
Ceiling Mount
- Creates a seamless, modern look
- Visually heightens the room
- Ideal for full-length curtains
- Reduces light leakage at the top
- Best paired with recessed tracks or pelmets
Wall Mount
- Mounted above the window frame
- Can sometimes be installed on protruding beams above windows but below the ceiling line
- Easier for retrofit installations
- Common with decorative rods or exposed brackets
- More forgiving for uneven ceilings
- Less integrated in feel, but still effective
Tip: If using wall-mounted curtains, extend the brackets high enough to keep the window feeling tall and generous. Avoid the common mistake of placing them too close to the window frame.
Curtain Tracks and Blind Tubes
Hardware type depends on the system you choose – and each system has a few options in the market.
Curtain Tracks: Rods, I-Rails, and U-Rails
Curtain tracks come in different forms, each with its own aesthetic and functional qualities. Your choice will depend on the curtain heading style (S-fold, pleated, etc.), mounting type, and whether the system will be manual or motorised.
U-Rails
U-rails are aluminium curtain tracks with a U-shaped cross-section, where the runners glide inside the recessed channel. They are:
- Compact and minimal in design
- Compatible with wall and ceiling mounts, depending on bracket type
- Commonly used in S-fold and pleated curtain installations
- Almost all motorised system use a version of U-Rail tracks, although it is important to state that a non-motorised U-rail cannot be motorised – it will require fabrication of a completely new track. The exception is the use of a ‘robot’ or ‘driver’ smart device to pull your curtains along the tracks.
At Cava Curtains, we only use U-rail curtain systems, both for normal and motorised curtains.
I-Rails
I-rails, named for their I-shaped cross-section, have a central vertical rib that supports the runners and gliders. They are:
- A more exposed rail type often used where a slightly decorative profile is acceptable
- Typically used for pleated curtain systems; not suitable for S-fold
Decorative Curtain Rods
- Visible and styled – often metallic, wooden, or painted finishes
- Suited for eyelet or tab-top curtains
- Not compatible with S-fold or most pleated systems
- Common in casual, decorative, or colonial-style interiors
Motorised Tracks
- Allows for motorisation of the curtain system
- In the U-rail profile, but fabricated completely differently
- Has more moving parts within the system
- Suitable both for double-pleated and S-fold curtains
Blind Headrails and Mechanisms
Blinds don’t use tracks – they rely on headrails and control mechanisms to raise, lower, or tilt. These vary by system and material, and the type of mechanism can affect how discreet or prominent the blind looks once installed.
Roller & Zebra Blinds
- Use a tubular headrail that encases the roller mechanism
- Can be exposed (visible roll) or concealed in a cassette
- Recessed installations can help reduce visual clutter
Roman Blinds
- Use a flat or folded headrail that houses the lift mechanism
- Often paired with cord-lock systems or bead-chain lifts
Motorised blinds
Generally, motorised variants of the above blinds are available, but they’re not added on traditional systems – instead, they’re fabricated as discrete motorised systems.
Retrofitting Motors, Drivers, and Smart Systems
There are smart devices in the market that can be installed on traditional hardware, making them smart. This includes the Switchbot Curtain and Aqara Curtain Driver.
These work better on some traditional hardware than others.
Planning Tips
- Always measure track depth and blind headrail size when planning recesses
- Match control sides (left/right) with room layout and furniture
- For minimal visual clutter, consider recessed or concealed tracks/headrails
- Check motor size and clearance if automation is planned
Pelmets and Recesses
Pelmets are architectural features that conceal tracks and headrails, creating a clean upper edge and blocking top light spill. They can be visible and decorative, or hidden and minimal.
Surface Pelmets
- Visible fascia, usually timber or MDF
- Painted to match walls or ceilings
- More common in traditional or transitional interiors
- Also used to visually connect window spans
Recessed Pelmets or Channels
- Built into false ceilings or bulkheads
- Allows curtains to appear as if they’re dropping from the ceiling
- Ideal for a clean, contemporary look
- Requires planning during renovation or construction
Recommended Depth
Depth of the pelmet is a critical factor, but it varies widely depending on the curtain or blind hardware to be installed, and whether motorisation is involved. We highly recommend not to use generic guides or benchmarks in your planning – please contact us so we can make recommendations based on your hardware and your actual physical space.
Light Gaps and Overlaps
Poor hardware planning can lead to gaps that leak light or reduce privacy.
- For curtains, ensure tracks are wide enough for the curtain stack to sit off the window
- Ceiling-mounted curtains eliminate the top light gap better than wall-mounted ones
- Gaps matter in light leakage for most blind systems.
LED Lighting in Pelmets
We’ve been seeing many homeowners opt for integrating LED strip lighting into their pelmets. This can be a good idea for several reasons.
- Ambient lighting — soft, general room light
- Accent lighting — highlighting texture or wall treatments
- Curtain wash — gentle light over fabric for evening warmth
This requires early coordination, both for the pelmet build and electrical points.
Good Hardware Planning Means:
- Planning track or headrail placement before false ceilings go in
- Checking depth clearances for pelmets or if installing inside window recesses
- Aligning curtain height with ceiling lines and lighting
- Choosing between visible, decorative finishes or clean, built-in ones
- Factoring in motorisation where relevant
Next: Placement, Planning, Power — What to Know Before You Build
Window treatments need space — for tracks, motors, recesses, and sometimes wires. In Part 6, we move beyond design and into space planning: how to coordinate your walls, ceilings, pelmets, and power points to make everything work smoothly, whether smart or manual.
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