People put so much time and effort into deciding on a style of curtain for their window, that they often forget about how the curtain will attach to the rod. Some prefer to have a sleeve at the head of the curtain that the rod slips straight into, while others prefer to use rings that make opening and closing the curtain much easier. There is a third option that lives somewhere between the two, and that is the tab top curtain.
Tab tops are a great alternative for families that are on a budget. Their simple design means that they extremely easy to make, ultimately meaning that they end up being inexpensive when buying from a retailer. In fact, they are so simple in design, that you could quite easily make your own.
One of the main benefits of tab top curtains is that there is no need for curtain rings, which can be an added expense that many people don’t take into account when buying their curtains. The top of the curtain consists of a number of loops of material, running the horizontal length of the curtain, which you then simply thread your curtain rod through.
There are a couple of disadvantages with tab tops, however. For starters, it can be a little more difficult to open and close your curtains compared to curtain rings. However it is still much easier than having a sleeve at the top of your curtain. For this reason, this style of curtain is best utilised on a window that doesn’t need to be opened and closed every day. 
If you are opening and closing tab top curtains on a regular basis, the loop of material will begin to wear out over time. The other downside to this style of curtain is the fact the loops will need to be even when the curtain is drawn closed, otherwise your curtain will look messy, and it will take away from the overall allure of your curtain.
Browse Our Selection Of Tab Top Curtains
If you decide to use tab tops on your window, then you are going to need to give a little bit of extra thought to the type of curtain rod you are going to get; the reason being that there will be gaps between the tabs where the curtain rod will show through. Many people see this as a benefit, and with the money they save by purchasing tab tops, they will spend a bit more on a fancier curtain rod. If you would prefer to hide the rod and the tabs altogether, you could put that extra money towards a pelmet instead, which can be a really great look on the right type of window.
Other than the fact that the top of the curtain is adorned with tabs, there is no great difference between this style of curtain and any other style. You can still get them in a wide range of materials, ranging from polyester to velvet, and everything in between. You can also get a huge variety of colors and patterns, everything from pink tab top curtains in the girl’s room to blue tab top curtains in the boys. You can get a country style for your kitchen, or a blackout curtain for your lounge room, if you look around you will find pretty much anything you desire in this style of window treatment.
If you are contemplating a heavier style of fabric, such as velvet or blackout material, then you will need to keep in mind the number of tabs that run along the top of the curtain. It is recommended that the heavier the curtain material, the more tabs you should have, as this will help to bear the load evenly and stop your curtain rod from sagging.
When purchasing this style of curtain, you have a few options available to you. Your first stop, as always, should be online. The number of online curtain stores out there on the World Wide Web is staggering, and this is the best way to get a good look at the wide range available. Once you have narrowed down your choice, you should still go and have a look at a local window treatment specialist store if possible, as what you see on your computer screen and what you see in real life are sometimes two very different things. While you’re online, you may want to take a quick peek at how to make tab top curtains yourself, you may just be surprised at how easy they are to make, and how much money you can save by doing it yourself.