What are Wave gliders anyway?

Here's a description in detail of what this Modern Curtain style is all about.

The original concept of a Wave headed curtain was invented by Silent Gliss. The pleats are loosely based on a Cartridge Pleat design traditionally made using buckram in a hand sewn curtain heading. Are you interested in traditional British hand-made wave curtains? We offer a free consultation service, contact us now.

How is Wave Better than a Traditional Cartridge Pleat?

The Wave system incorporates a glider which is attached to all the other gliders by a cord or string. This ensures the Wave fold curtains have regulated spacing to ensure the individual pleats are placed evenly at all times for the neat and modern look we all associate with a Wave Curtain. You can see in the below image that each pleat is evenly spaced when the curtains are open. This would not happen with a traditional style curtain.

 

Understanding Gliders

Each glider has a hard component to stabilise the running of the system with a soft component to reduce noice. This glider has recently been re engineered by Silent Gliss for an even more smooth and quiet action than before. This is now called the Silent 2C Wave glider available in both 60mm and 80mm options for many of the Silent Gliss tracks and poles. 

 

Silent 2c 80mm Wave Gliders

 

 

Silent 2c 60mm Wave Gliders

How do 60mm and 80mm Wave differ?

60mm Wave gliders are positioned closer together than 80mm Wave with a shorter distance of cord in between. 60mm Wave is more suited to small windows and those where the recess depth is restricted. 60mm Wave will require at least 12cm depth and 80mm Wave 16cm depth. Most cottage style windows look better with 60mm Wave as there will be more Wave pleats thus giving a more substantial look. A small window of 150cm wide with 80mm Wave would only have very few pleats at the side of the window which would make the treatment look very skimpy. We want the window to be dressed in a way that it looks fully dressed not semi clothed!

80mm Wave is suited to most bifold and sliding doors where theres a benefit to scaling down the number of pleats. The reduced number of pleats keeps the fabric off the glass and allows the light in and keeps the garden view intact. 

Wave Heading Tape

At the same time as the Wave Gliders, Silent Gliss also invented the Wave heading tape. The tape is attached to the top of the curtain together with a fusible tape that is sandwiched in between the layers to give the heading more stucture. Modern Curtains only use original Silent Gliss Wave Heading Tapes in their bespoke curtains to ensure the best result. 

 

Cost Effectiveness

Wave curtains typically use slightly less fabric that traditional pencil pleat and pinch pleat headings. Theres also an option to have the 2.1 fullness rather than the 2.3 fullness where budget is an issue. This makes them economical as well as a joy to look at and operate.

 

We Use the Original Components Only

There are many copies of Wave gliders and tapes on the market; we insist on using only the Original tapes and make up techniques. We recommend Silent Gliss poles and tracks or other poles that have Silent Gliss Wave gliders inserted into the tracking

You can check with us prior to purchasing curtains which Silent Gliss track or pole is most suitable for your situation. Contact Us today!