6 cm waveCompact in depth
- 6 cmcentre to centre between the gliders
- 12 cmbetween the hooks in the wave tape
- approx. 9 cmdepth when the curtain is closed
- approx. 12 cmdepth needed when the curtain is open
- more glidersso a wider stack at the side
Help me choose · 6 cm or 8 cm
Wave curtains: 6 or 8 cm?
A 6 cm wave heading gives more, smaller waves and needs less depth. A 8 cm wave heading gives fuller waves and uses fewer gliders. As a result, the opened stack at the side is always narrower than with a 6 cm wave.
At Gordijnen.com we make both options with 200% fabric. So the choice is not about more or less fabric, but about the distance between the gliders, the depth of the waves and the space you have.
- 6 cmsmaller waves · less depth
- 8 cmfuller waves · narrower stack
- 200%fabric usage for both options
8 cm wavefuller wave
Short answer
What is the difference between a 6 cm and a 8 cm wave heading?
In short: a 6 cm wave has more, smaller waves and takes up less depth. Because more gliders are needed, the opened stack at the side is always wider than with a 8 cm wave. A 8 cm wave has fuller waves, needs more depth and gives a narrower stack. Which option suits you better therefore depends on where you have the available space.
8 cm waveFuller waves
- 8 cmcentre to centre between the gliders
- 16 cmbetween the hooks in the wave tape
- approx. 12 cmdepth when the curtain is closed
- approx. 16 cmdepth needed when the curtain is open
- fewer glidersso a narrower stack at the side
Important: 6 cm needs less depth, but gives a wider stack when the curtain is open. 8 cm needs more depth, but gives a narrower stack.
Personal comparison
Enter your track width and compare 6 and 8 cm instantly
This tool uses the same production steps as our measuring page. So you don’t just see a general explanation, but what 6 or 8 cm actually changes for your track.
6 cm wave—
- Production size
- —
- Gliders
- —
- Stack back when open
- —
- Depth closed
- approx. 9 cm
- Depth open
- approx. 12 cm
8 cm wave—
- Production size
- —
- Gliders
- —
- Stack back when open
- —
- Depth closed
- approx. 12 cm
- Depth open
- approx. 16 cm
Worked example without the calculator
Track 300 cm · 1 curtain panel
Below, compare the same 300 cm track with one curtain panel. You can see how much space the opened curtain needs beside the window.
- Gliders
- 52
- Stack back
- approx. 59.2 cm
- Depth open
- approx. 12 cm
- Gliders
- 40
- Stack back
- approx. 46.0 cm
- Depth open
- approx. 16 cm
With this track the difference is clear: 6 cm uses 12 more gliders and gives a stack that is 13.2 cm wider. 8 cm, on the other hand, needs 4 cm more depth.
How we calculate the stack back: number of gliders × 1.1 cm + 2 cm per curtain panel for the end stop and end spreader. The exact order drop and full measuring steps are on the measuring page.
What does 6 or 8 cm stand for?
It is the distance between the gliders in the track
6 or 8 cm is not the visible depth of one wave. It is the maximum centre-to-centre distance between the gliders when the cord is taut in the track. These gliders are also called runners. The distance determines how many gliders are needed and how the fabric is distributed in waves.
From glider spacing to wave
The cord determines the maximum distance
The cord limits the distance between the gliders to 6 or 8 cm when it is taut. When closing, you spread the waves over the track. When opening, the gliders slide towards each other.
200% fabric for both options
6 cm gliders = 12 cm between the hooks, 8 cm = 16 cm
At Gordijnen.com we make both 6 and 8 cm wave with 200% fabric. This means the distance between the hooks in the wave tape is twice the glider spacing.
6 cm glider spacing→ 12 cm hook spacing
8 cm glider spacing→ 16 cm hook spacing
This is an important difference from suppliers who use a different fabric allowance or a different wave system. Our measurements on this page belong to the production construction of Gordijnen.com.
See how the complete wave system works
How much depth do you need?
6 cm needs less space in front of and behind the track
A wave curtain runs alternately in front of and behind the track. That is why the available depth matters, especially with a pelmet box, deep window sill, window handle, heating pipe or ceiling spotlight.
If you have little depth, 6 cm is the more compact choice. If, on the other hand, you have little space beside the window to stack the open curtain, 8 cm is better because the stack at the side is narrower.
What does it look like in a room?
6 cm looks finer, 8 cm looks fuller
The fabric, colour and window size have a big influence on the overall look. So don’t just look at the measurement in centimetres, but also at the type of room and the look you are after.
6 cm wave
More, smaller waves
Beautiful when you want a finer distribution or when the available depth is limited. With the same track width, more gliders are needed.
8 cm wave
Fuller, deeper waves
Gives a spacious look with wide windows and sliding patio doors. The wave needs more depth, but the opened stack at the side is narrower than with a 6 cm wave.
Two wave curtains one behind the other
With an inbetween + opaque curtain the difference becomes large
With two tracks you need space for both curtains and clearance between them. This applies, for example, to an inbetween behind an opaque curtain. With 6 cm wave, the total depth needed comes to approximately 28 cm. With twice 8 cm wave, it is approximately 36 cm.
6 + 6 cm → approx. 28 cm total depth8 + 8 cm → approx. 36 cm total depthDifference: approximately 8 cm
Which suits you better?
Choose on the space available, not just on looks
No option is always better. The right choice depends on the space in front of and behind the track, where the curtain will stack when open and the look you like.
Shallow pelmet box
6 cm needs less depth and is therefore often easier in a narrow pelmet box.
Little wall beside the window
8 cm uses fewer gliders and therefore gives a narrower stack when the curtain is open.
Wide sliding patio door
8 cm gives full waves and is the logical choice if you want to keep the stack beside the doorway as small as possible.
Two curtains one behind the other
6 cm clearly saves depth. With two layers, it makes a difference of approximately 8 cm in our construction.
Window handle or deep window sill
Measure the point that sticks out furthest. The wave must be able to move freely everywhere.
You are mainly unsure about the look
Look at the two mood photos and then choose on technical grounds. Both options are made with 200% fabric.
Everything side by side
6 cm and 8 cm wave at a glance
| Component | 6 cm wave | 8 cm wave |
|---|---|---|
| Glider spacing | 6 cm centre to centre | 8 cm centre to centre |
| Hook spacing in wave tape | 12 cm | 16 cm |
| Fabric usage at Gordijnen.com | 200% | 200% |
| Wave appearance | more, smaller waves | fewer, fuller waves |
| Depth closed | approx. 9 cm | approx. 12 cm |
| Depth open | approx. 12 cm | approx. 16 cm |
| Number of gliders | more | fewer |
| Stack back at the side | wider than 8 cm | narrower than 6 cm |
| Double track centre to centre | approx. 14 cm | approx. 18 cm |
| Double arrangement total depth | approx. 28 cm | approx. 36 cm |
| Practical for | little depth, pelmet box, double layers | wide windows, little stacking space at the side |
The exact stack back depends on the track width and the number of curtain panels. That is why we calculate it for you personally at the top of the page.
Frequently asked questions
Still undecided between 6 and 8 cm?
Here are the questions that most often cause confusion with this choice.
What is the difference between a 6 cm and a 8 cm wave heading?
6 or 8 cm is the centre-to-centre distance between consecutive wave gliders in the track. 6 cm gives more, smaller waves and less depth, but a wider opened stack. 8 cm gives fuller waves and more depth, but a narrower opened stack.
Is 6 cm wave less deep than 8 cm wave?
Yes. In our construction, for 6 cm we allow approximately 9 cm depth closed and 12 cm open. For 8 cm it is approximately 12 cm closed and 16 cm open.
Which wave gives the smallest stack when the curtain is open?
8 cm wave. With the same track, fewer gliders are needed than with 6 cm. Because the gliders slide against each other, the stack at the side is narrower as a result.
Does 6 cm use more fabric than 8 cm?
Not at Gordijnen.com. We make both options with 200% fabric. Other systems or suppliers may use a different fabric allowance.
Why are the hooks 6 cm apart with 12 cm?
Because we use 200% fabric. With 6 cm glider spacing there is therefore 12 cm of fabric between consecutive hooks. With 8 cm glider spacing it is 16 cm.
Which wave is better for a pelmet box?
If the pelmet box is shallow, 6 cm is often more practical because the curtain comes less far in front of and behind the track. Always measure the actual clear internal dimension of the pelmet box.
Which wave looks better with a wide sliding patio door?
That remains a matter of taste. 8 cm gives fuller waves and uses fewer gliders. As a result, the open stack with a wide glazed door is smaller than with 6 cm wave. With little depth, 6 cm fits better.
Can I hang two wave curtains one behind the other?
Yes, for example an inbetween and an opaque curtain. Twice 6 cm needs approximately 28 cm total depth in our construction; twice 8 cm approximately 36 cm.
How far apart should I place two tracks?
With twice 6 cm wave we allow approximately 14 cm centre to centre. With twice 8 cm wave approximately 18 cm. That keeps approximately 2 cm of clearance between the two curtains.
Can I combine 6 and 8 cm on one track?
Not as one continuous wave system. The distance between the gliders is fixed. For a track, choose one suitable glider spacing that matches the curtain.
Which option do you recommend if I have little space?
First look at where the space is lacking. If the depth is limited, 6 cm is better. If it is the wall beside the window that is limited, 8 cm is better because the opened stack is narrower.
Made your choice?
Then measure the track and drop carefully
On the measuring page you enter the track width. There you get the exact production size, the number of gliders and the stack back for your chosen 6 or 8 cm wave.