Pipe and Drape Hardware

What is pipe & drape hardware?

Pipe & drape hardware is the modular metal framework that holds event drape up off the floor — uprights that set the height, weighted base plates that keep them standing, and telescoping crossbars that span between uprights to carry the fabric. It assembles tool-free, breaks down flat, and reconfigures from a 3-ft table skirt to a 16-ft stage wall. Everything here is genuine WENTEX — the system Expo Warehouse distributes for the USA & Canada.

The parts of a pipe & drape system

• Uprights — the vertical poles that set your height. Telescopic 2-, 3-, and 4-way models cover 4 ft to 16 ft; fixed uprights (e.g. 47") lock to one size. Each locks at height with a compression brake — a built-in tightening handle, not a fragile cam.
• Base plates — powder-coated steel feet that hold each upright straight. Match the base to the height: 14"×12" (9 lb) for FOH/short setups, 18"×18" (18 lb) standard, 24"×24" (31 lb) for tall walls. Base-plate pins in 4", 8", and 16".
• Crossbars / drape supports — telescoping horizontals that span between uprights and carry the drape; common ranges 4'–6' and 6'–10'.
• Connectors & clamps — 4-way connectors (sized to 35–51 mm tubes), flex adapters, angled brackets, and scaff clamps / half-couplers to branch, angle, and rig from truss.
• Base weights — 20 & 30 lb recycled-rubber ballast that slides onto base plates for tall backdrops, doorways, aisles, and breezy spots.
• Replacement parts — pins, knobs, Wagner curtain hooks, wardrobe attachments, and trolley covers to keep a fleet show-ready.

How to choose the right hardware

Three numbers spec a system — height, width, and how many sections:

• Height → choose your uprights. 8 ft is the standard booth wall; 3 ft for skirting; 10–16 ft for stage backdrops.
• Width → divide the run into crossbar sections (crossbars telescope 6–10 ft). Rule of thumb: uprights = number of sections + 1 (middle uprights are shared).
• Stability → match the base plate to the height, and add base weights for tall or high-traffic setups.

Full step-by-step in our pipe & drape sizing & buying guide, or grab a ready-made pipe & drape kit and skip the guesswork. Need drape too? See drapes & curtains.

Frequently asked questions

What hardware do I need for a pipe & drape setup?

Four parts: uprights (set the height), base plates (hold them up), crossbars / drape supports (span the width and carry the drape), and the drape itself. Add base weights for stability and connectors for corners or branching.

What size base plate do I need?

Match it to height: 14"×12" (9 lb) for short/FOH setups, 18"×18" (18 lb) for standard setups up to ~10 ft, and 24"×24" (31 lb) for 12–16 ft walls. Add rubber base weights for tall or high-traffic locations.

How do the uprights adjust?

Telescopic 2-, 3-, and 4-way uprights slide to any height within their range (4 ft up to 16 ft) and lock with a compression brake — a built-in tightening handle. Fixed uprights lock to a single height.

How many uprights and crossbars do I need?

Count the crossbar sections across your width (each crossbar telescopes 6–10 ft), then uprights = sections + 1, since middle uprights are shared. One crossbar per section.

Can I rig pipe & drape from truss or a wall?

Yes — scaff clamps, half-couplers, angled brackets, and 4-way connectors let you mount and branch off truss or structure. Tell us your rig and we'll spec the right adapters.

Is this hardware genuine WENTEX, and is it in stock?

Yes. Expo Warehouse is the exclusive authorized WENTEX distributor for the USA & Canada. Hardware is stocked in our Evans, GA warehouse and ships fast, with bulk pricing available.

Why buy pipe & drape hardware from Expo Warehouse

• Authorized WENTEX distributor (USA & Canada) — genuine parts, the full system in stock
• Ships from Evans, GA — in-stock orders next business day
• Every part, à la carte — uprights, bases, crossbars, connectors, weights, and replacements
• Phone: (877) 371-3847 · quote-ready documentation for procurement

Building a full setup? Request a quote and we'll spec the exact hardware for your backdrop.