Curtain systems

Curtain Systems for Stage, Event and Trade Fair Applications

Whether you are dressing a theatre stage, dividing a multipurpose hall or building a branded backdrop for a trade fair booth — the right curtain system is the backbone of any professional production. At LTT, you will find a hand-picked range of curtain tracks, backdrop systems, molton fabrics and all the accessories you need to set every venue in the best possible light.

From lightweight single-track aluminium rails to heavy-duty motorised drives with DMX control, our range covers every application in live events, theatre rigging, exhibition building and permanent installation. Explore the full selection below and find the optimal solution for your next project.

What Are Curtain Systems? Definition, Types and Key Differences

A curtain system is a complete assembly of track, runners (gliders), drive mechanism and mounting hardware designed to hang, guide and operate fabric panels — from sheer acoustic drapes to heavy blackout molton. In the professional event and stage sector, curtain systems go far beyond simple window dressing: they control sightlines, manage acoustics, define stage wings, create instant room divisions and form the visual backdrop of a production.

Curtain Track vs. Curtain Rod

A curtain track (also called a curtain rail or Gardinenschiene) is a profiled channel — typically extruded aluminium — in which gliders or runners travel smoothly. The track itself is largely invisible once installed and can carry significantly heavier loads than a decorative rod. A curtain rod (Vorhangstange) is a round or square bar, usually decorative, from which fabric is hung on rings or hooks. Rods are limited in load capacity and are not suitable for motorised operation or long spans.

For professional stage and event use, aluminium curtain tracks are the standard choice. They combine low weight with high rigidity, accept motorised drives, and can be integrated into truss structures or flown from rigging points.

Main System Types

• Stage curtain systems — heavy-duty tracks for main drapes, legs, borders and cycloramas
• Acoustic curtain systems — deep-pile molton or velour panels for reverberation control
• Backdrop systems — pipe-and-drape or truss-mounted rails for printed or fabric backdrops
• Room divider systems — ceiling-mounted or freestanding tracks for flexible space management
• Wave curtain systems — continuous-wave fabric guides for a uniform, ripple-free appearance
• Panel / sliding curtain systems — flat panel tracks for wide-format fabric displays

Understanding which system type matches your application is the first step to a successful installation — and the sections below will guide you through every decision.

Applications: Where Curtain Systems Are Used in Events and Theatre

Curtain systems are among the most versatile pieces of kit in the event technician's toolkit. Their applications span a wide spectrum of professional environments:

Stage and Theatre

Main stage drapes, side legs, borders and cycloramas all rely on robust curtain tracks — often motorised — to open, close and fly smoothly during a performance. Heavy velour or molton fabrics weighing up to 1.5 kg/m² demand tracks with a verified working load limit (WLL) and, in public venues, compliance with fire-rating standard B1 / DIN 4102. Motorised drives allow cue-precise operation via DMX or remote control, integrating seamlessly with the show's lighting and automation desk.

Trade Fair and Exhibition Booths

At exhibitions, curtain systems create instant branded backdrops, divide open-plan stands into meeting zones and conceal storage areas. Truss-mounted backdrop rails — attached directly to aluminium truss structures — are the preferred solution because they require no ceiling fixing and can be assembled and struck in minutes. Exhibition stand truss systems from LTT are designed to accept standard curtain track clamps, making integration straightforward.

Multipurpose Halls, Hotels and Conference Centres

Permanent ceiling-mounted tracks allow a single large space to be subdivided into smaller rooms at short notice. Acoustic curtain panels reduce reverberation, improving speech intelligibility for conferences and presentations. Hotels and restaurants use discreet aluminium tracks with wave-curtain gliders to create elegant, maintenance-free room dividers.

Clubs, Churches and Broadcast Studios

Blackout curtain systems block unwanted ambient light for broadcast-quality video production. In churches and concert halls, heavy acoustic drapes on motorised tracks give the venue operator real-time control over reverberation time — a critical parameter for both speech and music.

Track Configurations, Materials and Safety Standards

Single, Double and Multi-Track Configurations

Choosing the correct number of tracks is fundamental to the system's function:

• Single-track — one fabric panel; ideal for stage legs, backdrops or simple room dividers
• Double-track — two independent panels; the standard for combining a sheer inner drape with a blackout outer drape, or for stage main curtains that part from the centre
• Triple-track — adds a third inner runner, typically used for an overlay sheer or a decorative valance
• Multi-track — four or more parallel channels; used in large theatres, broadcast studios and complex layered window installations

For stage applications, double-track systems are the most common, allowing the main drape and a blackout lining to be operated independently.

Aluminium vs. Plastic Tracks

Aluminium is the professional standard. Powder-coated aluminium profiles combine the low weight and moisture resistance of plastic with the structural strength of metal. A white powder-coat finish or natural silver anodising blends into most ceiling environments. Critically, aluminium tracks accept motorised drives and carry the load ratings required for professional rigging.

Plastic tracks are lighter and lower in cost, but they are susceptible to creep under sustained load, cannot be motorised reliably and are not appropriate for public venues where load certification is required.

Load Capacity (WLL) and Safety Certifications

In professional stage and event installations, every component in the load path must carry a documented Working Load Limit (WLL). For curtain tracks flown from truss or rigging points, the track profile, clamps and connectors must all be rated and traceable. Relevant standards include DIN 15560, BGV C1 (the German accident prevention regulation for event rigging) and EN 1090 for structural steel and aluminium assemblies.

For venues open to the public, all fabric panels must meet fire-rating class B1 (DIN 4102) or the equivalent EN 13501-1 classification. Molton, velour and blackout fabrics supplied by LTT are available with B1 certification, and the relevant test certificates should always be requested and kept on file for venue compliance checks.

Accessories: Gliders, End Caps and Connectors

The quality of a curtain system is only as good as its smallest component. Precision-machined aluminium gliders run silently and resist wear. End caps prevent fabric from riding off the track. Corner pieces and bend connectors allow continuous tracks around bay windows or stage wings without joins that interrupt the fabric's travel.

Mounting Options: Ceiling, Wall and Truss Integration

Ceiling Mounting

Ceiling mounting is the preferred method for most professional installations. The track is fixed directly to the structural ceiling via drop rods or ceiling clips, positioning the fabric as close to the ceiling as possible and maximising the usable drop height. This approach is ideal for large window fronts, stage fly towers, multipurpose halls and any application where the track must span several metres without intermediate support.

For sloped ceilings, bay windows and arched openings, aluminium tracks can be bent to a custom radius — supplied pre-formed to your specification and shipped in one piece without joins.

Wall Mounting

Where ceiling access is limited or ceiling height is low, wall brackets bring the track away from the wall surface and allow the fabric to hang clear of skirting boards, radiators or window frames. Adjustable wall brackets accommodate varying projection distances and can be set to different heights along the same track run.

Concealed Under-Plaster Installation

For permanent installations in hotels, conference centres and broadcast studios, concealed under-plaster tracks are recessed into the ceiling void. The fabric appears to float from the ceiling with no visible hardware — a clean, architectural finish that is increasingly specified in high-end venue fit-outs.

Truss-Mounted Curtain Systems

This is where LTT's expertise sets the standard. By clamping curtain track directly to aluminium truss — whether a ground-supported tower system or a flown roof structure — you create a completely self-contained backdrop or stage-wing system that requires no ceiling fixing and can be repositioned for every show. Naxpro-Truss profiles from LTT's own production accept standard 50 mm coupler clamps, making it straightforward to attach curtain track brackets at any point along the chord.

For trade fair builders, a truss-mounted backdrop system eliminates the need to negotiate ceiling fixing rights with the venue — a significant practical advantage. The system assembles in minutes, strikes cleanly and packs into standard transport cases alongside the truss.

Operation Methods: Manual, Cord-Pull and Motorised Drive Systems

Manual Hand Operation

The simplest and most cost-effective method: the fabric is pushed or pulled along the track by hand. Manual operation is perfectly adequate for static installations — room dividers, permanent acoustic panels or backdrop systems that are set once and left in position. There are no moving parts to service and no electrical connections required.

Cord-Pull Systems

A cord-pull (Schnurzug) system routes a continuous loop of cord through the track profile, connecting to the glider carrier. Pulling the front cord opens the curtain; pulling the rear cord closes it. The cord can be routed to a fixed operating position at the side of the stage, allowing a technician to operate the curtain without touching the fabric. Cord-pull systems are the standard for theatre main drapes in smaller venues and for room dividers in hotels and conference centres.

Baton / Wand Draw

A rigid wand or baton clipped to the leading edge of the fabric allows the operator to push and pull the curtain precisely from a fixed position. This method is common in smaller theatres and for acoustic panels where the operator needs tactile control.

Motorised Electric Drives

Motorised curtain tracks are the professional choice for any application where cue-precise, repeatable operation is required. A 230 V AC or 24 V DC motor drives the glider carrier via a toothed belt or cord, opening and closing the curtain on command. Modern drives offer:

• Soft-start and soft-stop to prevent fabric stress and mechanical shock
• Adjustable travel limits set by end-stop switches or encoder feedback
• DMX-512 control for integration with the venue's lighting and automation desk — the curtain becomes a programmable show element
• Radio remote control for installations where a DMX feed is not available
• App and smart-home integration for permanent venue installations

Motorised systems from brands such as Showtec and Eurolite in the LTT range are rated for continuous professional use and carry the CE marking required for public venue installation. For heavy stage drapes, motor units with a pull force of 50–150 N and a travel speed of 0.1–0.3 m/s are typical specifications to look for.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Curtain System for Your Application

Selecting the correct curtain system requires matching five key parameters to your specific application:

1. Fabric Weight and Track Load Rating

Start with the fabric. Lightweight polyester sheers weigh as little as 80 g/m²; heavy velour or molton stage drapes can reach 600–1,500 g/m². Multiply the fabric weight by the panel area to get the total suspended load, then select a track with a WLL at least twice that figure. For flown installations, add a safety factor of 7:1 as required by BGV C1.

2. Track Length and Span

Aluminium tracks can be supplied in custom lengths up to approximately 6 m in a single piece — shipped without joins for uninterrupted glider travel. For longer spans, use a joiner connector or specify a heavier-section profile with closer bracket spacing. As a rule of thumb, bracket centres should not exceed 80 cm for standard profiles under normal load.

3. Number of Tracks

For a simple backdrop or room divider, a single track is sufficient. For stage main curtains that need to combine a decorative front drape with a blackout lining, specify a double track. For complex layered stage dressings — main drape, mid-stage legs and a sheer cyclorama — a triple or multi-track system gives you independent control of each layer.

4. Operation Method

For static or infrequently moved panels, manual or cord-pull operation is the most cost-effective choice. For show-critical cues or large, heavy drapes, invest in a motorised drive. If the venue has a DMX infrastructure, choose a drive with a DMX interface so the curtain can be programmed into the show's lighting console.

5. Fire Rating

For any installation in a public venue — theatre, hotel, conference centre, club or multipurpose hall — all fabric must carry a B1 fire-rating certificate (DIN 4102) or the equivalent EN 13501-1 Class B. Always request the test certificate from the supplier and retain it for the venue's fire safety file. LTT stocks B1-certified molton and blackout fabrics alongside the track systems, so you can source a compliant complete solution from a single supplier.

Brand Overview

LTT carries curtain system products from leading event-tech brands including Showtec, Eurolite and Riggatec — all selected for professional-grade build quality and compliance with relevant CE and safety standards. These brands are well established in the touring, theatre and exhibition sectors and are supported by readily available spare parts and accessories.

LTT – Your Expert for Professional Event Technology

With more than 25 years of experience in professional event technology, LTT is the specialist partner for stage technicians, riggers, trade fair builders and event agencies across the UK, Ireland and internationally. As both a manufacturer — with our own production facility in Germany for Naxpro-Truss aluminium truss systems — and a full-service distributor, we combine deep technical knowledge with a comprehensive product range that covers everything from curtain tracks and molton fabrics to complete truss constructions and stage platforms.

Every curtain system order benefits from our 3-year LTT warranty and free shipping on orders over €69, dispatched from our warehouse in Bocholt, Germany. Express delivery is available when your production schedule demands it, and our international dealer network means professional support wherever your project takes you.

Not sure which system is right for your venue or production? Our technical team is ready to help — visit our consulting and planning page or browse the full range of curtain systems online. As a reliable partner to professionals, LTT delivers the innovative solutions and premium branded products that help you achieve impressive results — every time the curtain rises.

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