Pipe and Drape FAQs: Common Customer Questions Answered
Pipe and drape systems are indispensable for trade shows, events, and exhibitions — flexible, fast to set up, and ideal for creating partitions, backdrops, and clean event spaces. Below are answers to the questions we hear most from event and AV pros. For deeper detail, see our complete guide to pipe & drape and sizing & buying guide.
What is a pipe and drape system?
A pipe and drape system is a modular setup of vertical uprights, horizontal crossbars, weighted base plates, and fabric drapes. It creates temporary walls, booths, stage backdrops, and partitions, and assembles tool-free — versatile, portable, and quick to install.
What is pipe and drape used for?
- Trade shows and exhibits — booth walls, aisle dividers, and registration backdrops
- Weddings and galas — elegant ceremony backdrops and photo walls
- Corporate events — branded backgrounds, room division, and traffic flow
- Stage and theatre — masking, legs and borders, and full-height backdrops
- AV and broadcast — camera surrounds and equipment masking
- Privacy areas — medical, dressing, and prep spaces at events
How do I choose the right drape fabric?
It depends on the look, light control, and budget you need. Our main drape fabrics are:
- Velvet Napoli — premium 260 g/m² (or heavy 480 g/m²) polyester velvet; deep and formal for weddings, galas, and stage.
- MGS (Medium Gloss Satin) — lighter and more economical; a workhorse for booth walls and dividers.
- MCS (Molton CS) — heavier molton for a true matte black and serious masking.
For a true matte blackout or backstage masking, pair the system with flame-retardant duvetyne. All of our drape fabrics are independently certified to NFPA 701 (USA) and CAN/ULC-S109 (Canada).
How much pipe and drape do I need?
Size by width, height, and fullness. Divide your total width into crossbar sections (uprights = sections + 1), set height with your uprights (8 ft is the standard booth wall), and multiply section width by your fullness factor (1.0× flat, 1.5–2× pleated) for drape width. Our sizing & buying guide walks through it with quick-reference tables — or request a quote and we'll spec it for you.
How easy is it to set up?
Very. Pipe and drape is tool-free: a base plate locates the upright, the upright locks to height with a compression brake (a built-in tightening handle), telescoping crossbars drop between uprights, and the drapes slide on. Most setups go up in minutes.
Can I buy pipe and drape from Expo Warehouse?
Yes. We sell complete pipe & drape kits as well as individual hardware and drapes à la carte, shipped from our Evans, GA warehouse. For large orders, bulk and dealer pricing is available — request a quote.
Are pipe and drape systems adjustable?
Yes. Most uprights and crossbars are telescoping, so a single set covers a wide range of heights and widths. WENTEX telescopic 2-, 3-, and 4-way uprights span from about 4 ft up to 16 ft.
Do you offer customization or bulk options?
Yes. We can help with specific drape colors, sizes, and large-quantity orders for productions, dealers, and venues. Tell us what you need and we'll source and price it — request a quote.
How do I clean and store pipe and drape?
- Cleaning: follow the fabric's care guidance. Flame-retardant treatments can be wash-sensitive, so spot-clean with a damp cloth unless the fabric is rated for laundering.
- Storage: keep hardware dry and store drapes in protective bags to prevent wrinkles and damage.
What about permanent installs?
For drape that opens and closes in a fixed space — studios, ballrooms, houses of worship — see Eurotrack, our ceiling-mounted curtain-track system.
Why buy from Expo Warehouse?
We're the authorized WENTEX distributor for the USA and Canada, stocking the full system — kits, hardware, and drape — in Evans, GA, with next-business-day shipping on in-stock orders and quote-ready documentation for procurement. Questions? Contact us or call (877) 371-3847, Mon–Fri 9–5 ET.
