Tab curtains are a popular ready-made window treatment, and there are two types of these curtains. These are tab top curtains which are more common, and back tab curtains which are also famous but not so popular among most people.
These curtains can add a splash of interest to any room without sacrificing simplicity.
Most people usually have a challenge differentiating these two types of tab curtains and struggle with hanging either of them.
So how do you do it?
To hang tab top curtains, measure the window, and then prepare the curtain rods and the curtain panels to make sure they fit the measurements. Install the curtain rod and hang your tab top curtains. To hang back tab curtains, secure the brackets in place, attach the clip rings, hang your rod, and slide in your curtains.
In this article, we will give a comprehensive guide on how to easily hang tab curtains and discuss much more.
So if you are curious about all this, read on to find out more. This will certainly be an enlightening read for you!
How Do You Hang Tab Top Curtains?
Contents
One of the most convenient and affordable curtains you can hang in your rooms is tab top curtains. Because they are inexpensive doesn’t mean they are of inferior quality.
These curtains come in a variety of fabrics, patterns, weight, and intricate details. So if you are interested in learning how to hang tab top curtains, let’s look at that in this section.
1. Measure the window
When you are shopping for the curtain rod, you’ll have to make sure that you measure the windows in advance. Measure the width of your window and add 4 inches, one on each side for 8 inches. Add the width to this figure, and that will be the length of the curtain rod you should get.
Apart from the window’s width, you’ll also have to measure the height of the window to know the length of the tab top curtains you require. You can get curtains that stop at the end of the window or choose panels that touch the floor to give an illusion of long walls. Allocate 4 inches above the window for the tabs and the curtain rod.
2. Prepare the curtain rod and the curtain panels
Once you have taken the measurements in the above step, prepare the materials. In case you are using an old set of curtain rods and curtain panels, check if they fit the measurements you too. If you need to get new ones, use the measurements to look for a rod and a tab top curtain that fit well.
3. Install the curtain rod and brackets
Measure 4 inches above the window and 4 inches to the right of the right side corner and mark with a pencil. Do the same on the left-hand corner of the window. Using an electric screwdriver, install the brackets that come with the curtain rod. You can use a drill if the wall is too hard for the electric screwdriver to penetrate.
4. Hang the tab top curtains
The next step is to take the tab top curtains and begin putting the rod through them. Once you are done, hang the curtain rod on the brackets you installed in the step above. Stand a few feet back and confirm whether the rod is leveled perfectly.
And just like that, you are done installing your tab top curtains.
How Do You Hang Back Tab Curtains?
If you crave a well-pleated, tailored, and elegant look, then back tab curtains are the way to go. This fabric has a built-in tab sewn at the back lining of the curtain header.
This allows you to easily slip the rod through the tabs. This makes it invisible from the front. The hidden tabs give off an illusion of a floating curtain which creates a clean design that is breathtaking.
Clip rings are useful when installing back tab curtains because they help slide the curtains open and shut without worrying about the crisp edge of the fabric hindering movement.
Clip rings can also help you customize the length of the curtains. If you’d like to have elegant, clean, and floating curtains without sacrificing the flexibility of ring attachments in opening and closing window curtains, then clip rings are a perfect solution.
So with all that said, how do you hang back tab curtains?
You’ll first have to get your hardware set. This process will be much faster if you already have your brackets and rod in place.
However, if this is your first time, then you’ll need a pencil, a measuring tape, clip rings, brackets, your curtain, and a pre-measured curtain rod for your window.
With these, you can then start the hanging process.
1. Secure the brackets
If you already have the rod and brackets in place, you can skip this step. If not, mark where you want the brackets to go. The standard is at least 4-8 inches above the window sill. Using a measuring tape and a pencil, mark where the screws will go in. Drill the holes and secure the brackets in place.
2. Attach the clip rings
Place the back tab curtain such that the tabs are facing you. To attach the clip rings, you have two options:
Attaching to the top of the tab
Place the clips on the top part of the curtain and slide the rings on the rod. This option lets you add length to your back tab curtain without the need to alter the fabric. You can achieve puddling of fabric pooling on the floor, which will add a sophisticated and grand look. Using this option, you can use standard-length curtains and make them appear longer than they really are. Attach a ring at every tab to achieve tight-looking pleats. If you want to achieve a loosely hung curtain look, skip one or two tabs when attaching clip rings.
Concealing it behind the tab
If you’d like to attain the floating appearance of your curtains, you can conceal the ring behind the fabric. Just pinch the middle of the tab and clip the ring an inch or two below the top.
Try pulling the ring to see its full length before sliding it across the rod. If the ring is attached too far up, move it another inch below. Just be sure you don’t go beyond the hem of the curtain’s tab. Once you feel the ring is attached at your desired length, slide it across the curtain rod.
3. Hang the rod and slide in your back tab curtains
With the ring slid perfectly on the rod, attach the final pieces at both ends. Hang your rod onto the brackets and adjust them as is necessary.
You can touch up your curtains with an iron, ironing each tab flat. If the curtains are made of linen fabric, make sure you use that setting on the iron. Doing this will make sure that the curtains look their level best after hanging them. Easily slide your curtains and move them from left to right, opening and closing the shutters as you please.
And just like that, you will successfully hang your back tab curtains. Using clip rings is popular because it lets people customize the length of your curtain without alterations.
How Do You Make Tab Curtains Slide Easier?
If you are using back tab curtains, you can make them slide easier by using clip rings when installing them. Clip rings will help you slide your back tab curtains open and shut without having to worry about the crisp edge of the fabric hindering movement. There are, however, ways you can make the rings slide easier, thus enabling you to open the curtains easier. These include:
- Using dry silicone spray– Silicone spray is a lubricant that’s non-sticky and drying. When you apply it to the top of the curtain rod, it creates a smooth surface allowing your curtain rings to slide easier.
- Using curtain slide tape– Curtain slide tape is applied to the top of the curtain to create a smooth surface for your curtain rings. This allows your curtains to open easier.
- Using measuring tape– If you want to bypass the connector joint so that your rings slide easier to open your curtains, then you can use a measuring tape for a quick DIY method. Cut 6 inches from your measuring tape. Using glue, adhere the measuring tape over the connector joint like a ramp. It’s easy to round the measuring tape, so it should be easy to lay across the top of the rod.
Tab curtains can be an impressive addition to your space. So why not try them out and use the installation tips in this guide to great effect.
