On paper they look identical. Same 350 gsm Liz Linen. Same 10% linen, 90% polyester blend. Same OEKO-TEX certification, same $59.99 base price, same 38 colors, same 6 linings, same 10 to 12 day lead time. Then the Two Pages configurator returns two different cart totals, and the rod on the wall starts dictating which one you can even hang.
The fork is not in the fabric. It is in the top construction, and that single decision cascades into hardware fit, the light gap above the rod, the drape fullness ratio, how fast you can take the panel down, and how the room reads when someone walks in. Picture the moment you draw the curtain at 7am: with the Grommet, the rod stays visible and the wave runs casual; with the Pleated, the header sits flush and the crowns read tailored. That is the choice, in two sentences.
This page reads catalog data, live configurator pricing, and the verified Judge.me feedback under both SKUs. For the deep-dive on each variant separately, the standalone Liz Linen Grommet review handles the grommet side, the Pleated review handles the pleat side, and this article handles the choice between the two.
Real customer installs
Real rooms photographed by verified Two Pages buyers
Verified
Quick Side-by-Side: The Numbers That Diverge
Most reviews skip this part: when two SKUs share a fabric, the natural temptation is to call them interchangeable and move on. They are not. Here are 9 spec lines on a single grid, with the lines that stay identical and the ones that fork clearly marked.
🪟 Side-by-Side Snapshot
Liz Linen Grommet vs Liz Linen Pleated, 9 critical specs
| Spec | Liz Linen Grommet | Liz Linen Pleated |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric & weight | 10/90 linen blend, 350 gsm | 10/90 linen blend, 350 gsm |
| Base price | from $59.99/panel | from $59.99/panel |
| Header construction | 1.6 inch metal eyelet, anti-clank | 2-finger pinch crown, 4 inch height |
| Top light gap | 0.5 to 0.75 inch per eyelet | Flush, no structural gap |
| Drape fullness ratio | 1.8 to 2.0× wave | 2.2 to 2.5× Pinch (3.0× Triple) |
| Hardware fit | Rod only, max 1.5 inch diameter | Rod or track, motorization-ready |
| Removal speed | ~30 seconds per panel | 3 to 4 minutes per panel |
| Best-for mood | Relaxed, transitional, rental-friendly | Tailored, formal, hotel-look |
| 50×96 Cotton-lined cart | ~$185 configured | ~$185 base, +15% width to match coverage |
Three takeaways come straight off the grid. Base price is identical. The hidden delta is the fullness ratio, which makes Pleated effectively pricier per finished room. And the light gap is the single line that no lining upgrade can erase: it is a physical gap at the top of the panel, not a textile gap.
Option A
TWOPAGES Liz Linen Drape Grommet
from $59.99/panel (final price depends on size & lining)
- 1.6 inch low-noise metal eyelet, OEKO-TEX
- 38 colors, slides direct on a rod
- Reads relaxed, transitional, renter-friendly
Code JULY for 20% off · Free shipping over $300
Option B
TWOPAGES Liz Linen Drape Pleated
from $59.99/panel (final price depends on size & lining)
- 2-finger pinch default, OEKO-TEX, ASID 2025
- 38 colors, rod-or-track install
- Reads tailored, formal, hotel-look
Code JULY for 20% off · Free shipping over $300
Header Mechanics & Build Compared
The Grommet construction routes the fabric around the rod through metal eyelets sertis directly into the header. Two Pages spec lists the inner diameter at 1.6 inches, with anti-clank engineering on the eyelet ring so the panel slides quiet across the rod instead of announcing every draw. Eyelet spacing sits near 6 inches center-to-center, which sets the wave count once the panel is hung.
The body of the panel is the same Liz fabric across both SKUs: 10% linen, 90% polyester at 350 gsm, certified OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Fabric width is 112 inches, bottom hem 1.5 inches. The eyelet header is the only structural difference at the top.
The Pleated construction does the opposite: it pulls the fabric under the rod or track via hooks, then folds the top into structured crowns. The Liz Pleated SKU ships in 2-finger pinch by default, with a 2 inch side tuck from side hem to the first pleat and a 4 inch crown height. The configurator allows upgrading to Triple at +$15 per panel or Goblet at +$25 per panel, both producing denser fullness.
The crowns hold structure because the 350 gsm linen body carries enough weight to keep them crisp through daily open-close cycles. That is why the Liz collection was selected for the ASID 2025 Fall Design Product Guide on the Pleated SKU specifically; the Grommet variant did not carry forward into that distinction.
Companion Read: Liz Linen Pleated Deep-Dive
Standalone analytical review of the Liz Linen Pleated variant: pinch construction, +$15 Triple upgrade math, 694-owner feedback, full pleat behavior.
Translation: the certification on the body fabric is the same. The daily-care delta is the same too, since both SKUs share dry-clean recommended care with low-temperature steam tolerated on the panel body. The hand reads identical when you handle a swatch; the only thing that diverges is how the top of the panel meets the wall.
Drape Behavior & Fullness Compared
Grommet drape reads wave. The fabric snakes around each eyelet, so the top of the panel runs parallel to the rod with a soft S-curve between every grommet. Two Pages and the broader trade recommend a fullness ratio of 1.8 to 2.0× on grommet for that wave to read intentional; below 1.8× it looks stretched, above 2.0× the eyelets start to crowd. The break at the floor lands soft, the stack to the side reads casual.
Pleated drape reads crown. The 2-finger pinch on the default Liz Pleated produces a fullness ratio of 2.2 to 2.5×, upgraded to 3.0× on Triple, denser still on Goblet. The crowns hold their shape between draws, the fold pattern below the header repeats cleanly to the floor, and the break reads structured. If the question is really between two fabrics rather than two headers, the Liz Linen versus Birkin Velvet pleated comparison covers the linen-vs-velvet decision in detail.
🪟 Grommet drape
Wave, casual, 1.8 to 2.0× fullness
- Top stays parallel to rod, no crowns
- Fullness 1.8 to 2.0× recommended
- Reads transitional, rental-friendly
🧵 Pleated drape
Crown, tailored, 2.2 to 3.0× fullness
- Header sits flush, crowns hold memory
- 2.2 to 2.5× Pinch, 3.0× Triple
- Reads formal, tailored, hotel-look
Grommet keep going
Liz Linen Drape Grommet
Same 350 gsm Liz fabric, eyelet header, slides on any rod up to 1.5 inch diameter.
Code JULY for 20% off
Pleated keep going
Liz Linen Drape Pleated
Same 350 gsm Liz fabric, pinch crowns, hooks into a track or clip-rings on a rod.
Code JULY for 20% off
Boring number, real impact: the higher fullness multiplier on Pleated means the configurator asks for ~15% more fabric width than Grommet to cover the same finished window. Same base price per panel, more panels needed, higher cart total. That is the hidden delta the spec sheet does not flag.
Light Gap & Coverage Compared
Grommet has a structural top gap. The fabric passes around the rod through each 1.6 inch eyelet, which leaves 0.5 to 0.75 inch of open gap at every grommet position between the rod and the start of the fabric body. On a 50 inch panel with 8 grommets, that adds up to roughly 5 inches of linear gap at the top of the window.
Pleated has zero structural top gap. The header pulls under the rod via clip-rings or under a track via hooks, and the top of the fabric sits flush with the underside of the rod or track. From across the room the difference is subtle; under a south-facing morning sun, the difference is the difference between waking at 6am and waking at 7am.
Honestly, this is the line where the two SKUs stop being interchangeable. The Grommet variant caps near 85% light blocking even with the heaviest Blackout Thermal 100% lining behind it, because the top gap is a physical opening that no lining can close. The Pleated variant reaches near 99% with the same Blackout Thermal 100% lining. Same fabric, same lining, two different ceilings.
Need True Blackout on Liz Linen?
If the light gap matters more than the header construction, the Liz Linen blackout pleated configuration pairs the 350 gsm linen blend with a 99% blackout thermal lining.
The implication on use case is direct. Bedrooms, nurseries, home theaters, and east-facing rooms where 6am light is the enemy: Pleated wins, every time. Living rooms, west-facing only, day-use rooms where the gap is tolerable: Grommet is enough. Translation: the gap is a deal-breaker only on the rooms where sleep is the priority.
🧵 Lining ladder, 6 options, both SKUs
Shading rate ranked, identical pricing structure
| Lining | Shading | Grommet ceiling | Pleated ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlined | ~0% | ~20% | ~30% |
| Cotton | ~30% | ~45% | ~55% |
| Thermal | ~50% | ~65% | ~80% |
| Blackout Standard | ~90% | ~80% | ~95% |
| Blackout Premium | ~95% | ~82% | ~97% |
| Blackout Thermal 100% | ~99% | ~85% | ~99% |
Ceilings reflect total light blocking including the structural top gap on Grommet, which no lining can close.
Hardware Compatibility & Install Mode Compared
Grommet is rod-only. The 1.6 inch inner diameter accepts any standard curtain rod up to 1.5 inches in diameter, which covers nearly every off-the-shelf rod on the market. No hooks, no rings, no carriers, no glide system. The panel lifts off the rod in about 30 seconds per panel for cleaning or re-hanging, which is why renters reach for it.
Pleated is rod-or-track. The 2-finger pinch crown accepts hooks for a track-mounted install, or clip-rings on a rod up to 1.25 inches diameter via the ring opening. The configurator does not lock the install mode into the SKU itself, so the same Pleated panel ships ready for either path. Removal runs 3 to 4 minutes per panel because each hook unclips one by one.
A Third Liz Header to Know
The Liz Linen Soft Top sits between Grommet relaxed and Pleated formal, pairing with rings on a rod for a casual stack without the metal hole signature.
🧮 Decision flowchart
Which Liz Linen header for your window?
Q1
Rod or track on the wall?
Rod → Grommet ready. Track → Pleated only.
Q2
Rod diameter under 1.5 inch?
Yes → Grommet fits. No → Pleated with clip-rings.
Q3
Renter or owner?
Renter → Grommet (no hardware re-spec). Owner → either.
Q4
Top light gap tolerated?
Tolerate ~5 inch linear gap → Grommet. Need flush → Pleated.
Q5
Motorization plan?
Yes → Pleated on track. No → either works.
Default: renters and casual living rooms land on Grommet. Owners, formal living, bedrooms, and motorized installs land on Pleated.
Motorization is the cleanest line between the two. Grommet is not motorization-friendly: the 1.6 inch eyelets bind on standard glider carriers, and the wave drape depends on the rod itself rather than a carriage system. Pleated paired with a standard track works with Lutron, Somfy, and the Two Pages stocked track systems out of the box. If the install plan includes any future automation, that closes the question.
🎨 Header style visualizer
All 9 headers in the Liz Linen configurator, price delta from Pinch base
Grommet
Compared here · base
Pinch
Compared here · base
Triple
+$15
Goblet
+$25
French
+$10
Inverted Box
+$15
Tailor
+$10
Tab Top
base
Rod Pocket
base
Soft Top is the 9th option in the Liz configurator, ships as a sibling SKU rather than a header upgrade.
Pricing by Configuration Compared
Base price is identical at from $59.99 per panel on both SKUs. Code JULY takes 20% off the cart on either. Free shipping unlocks at $300 cart value. On the surface, no delta.
🪟 Grommet · pricing by configuration
Three configured carts on Liz Linen Grommet
Standard
50″ × 96″ unlined
~$185
Living room
75″ × 108″ cotton-lined
~$295
Bedroom
100″ × 108″ blackout thermal
~$455
Code JULY 20% off applied at checkout · Free shipping over $300
Three Grommet configurations on the live configurator land near $185 for a 50×96 unlined panel, $295 for a 75×108 cotton-lined panel, and $455 for a 100×108 blackout thermal panel. Same fabric, same colors, same lead time across all three.
🧵 Pleated · pricing by configuration
Three configured carts on Liz Linen Pleated (Pinch default)
Standard
50″ × 96″ unlined Pinch
~$185
Living room
75″ × 108″ cotton-lined Pinch
~$295
Bedroom
100″ × 108″ blackout thermal
~$455
Upgrades on Pinch: Triple +$15 per panel, Goblet +$25 per panel · Code JULY 20% off
Pleated lands at the same three numbers when the header stays on the default Pinch. The hidden cost shows up at the coverage step: Pleated needs ~15% more fabric width to finish at the same final coverage as Grommet, because the higher fullness ratio consumes more raw width per finished inch. Translation: a 4-window living room that takes 4 Grommet panels often takes 5 Pleated panels, and the cart total rises proportionally even though the per-panel price is identical.
Lead Time, Returns, Care & Service Compared
Lead time is identical at 10 to 12 business days. Both panels are made-to-order in the same Two Pages facility, and both ship from the same warehouse once production completes. Final sale applies the moment production starts, which is consistent across the Two Pages catalog and supported by the Trustpilot record on Two Pages service aggregated across 5,000+ verified reviews.
Care recommendations are identical too: dry-clean recommended, low-temperature steam tolerated on the panel body, no harsh agitation. Memory training works on both, but reads more visibly on Pleated where the crowns hold the steam-set fold longer than the wave of a Grommet. Removal cadence is where the daily-life delta lands: 30 seconds versus 3 to 4 minutes per panel.
📏 Memory training, removal & care
- Lead time: 10 to 12 business days, both SKUs, final sale once production starts.
- Memory training: available on both, more visibly effective on Pleated.
- Removal cadence: Grommet ~30 seconds per panel, Pleated 3 to 4 minutes per panel.
- Care: dry-clean recommended, low-temp steam ok, no direct heat on metal eyelets.
🪶
Order Free Liz Linen Swatches Before You Commit
Both the Grommet and Pleated variants share the same Liz Linen fabric. Two Pages ships refundable swatches so you can hold the color in your actual room light at 6am, midday, and 6pm before choosing the header. Swatches are refundable, the made-to-order panel is not.
FAQ
Is the Liz Linen fabric the same on the Grommet and Pleated variants?
Yes, identical. Both SKUs use the exact same 10% Linen, 90% Polyester blend at 350 gsm, both certified OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, both 112 inch fabric width, both available in the 38 catalog colors, both routed through the same Two Pages factory. The only difference is the top construction: Grommet uses 1.6 inch low-noise metal eyelets, Pleated uses a 2-finger pinch (or upgraded Triple or Goblet) header. The body of the curtain reads, feels, and ages identically.
Which Liz header has a bigger light gap at the top?
The Grommet variant has a structural top gap of roughly 0.5 to 0.75 inch per eyelet, because the fabric routes around the rod rather than under it. On a 50 inch panel with 8 eyelets, that adds up to about 5 inches of linear gap at the header. The Pleated variant sits flush against the track or rod via hooks or clip-rings, with no structural top gap. If full blackout matters (bedroom 6am sleep window, home theater, nursery), Pleated paired with a Blackout Thermal 100% lining reaches ~99% light blocking; Grommet caps near ~85% even with the same lining.
Are the Grommet and Pleated variants the same price?
The base price is identical at from $59.99 per panel on both variants. Code JULY applies 20% off to both. Free shipping unlocks above $300 cart value. The hidden delta is fullness ratio: Pleated needs ~15% more fabric width to match the same finished coverage (2.2 to 2.5× Pinch versus 1.8 to 2.0× Grommet), so the configured total on a like-for-like room often runs higher on Pleated, even when the per-panel base price is identical. Upgrading Pleated to Triple adds +$15 per panel, Goblet +$25.
Which is better for renters?
The Grommet variant wins for most renters. It mounts on any standard rod up to 1.5 inch diameter, removes in about 30 seconds per panel, and requires no track hardware, no glider, no carrier system. The Pleated variant pairs ideally with a track plus hook system (or rings on a rod), removes in 3 to 4 minutes per panel, and is the better choice once the install becomes permanent or motorized. For temporary mounts, hotel-room-style fast take-down, or rental scenarios where hardware is already on the wall, Grommet is the analytical pick.
Can the Pleated variant be motorized? Can the Grommet?
The Pleated variant is motorization-compatible when paired with a standard track and glider system (Lutron, Somfy, Two Pages stocked tracks all accept Pleated hooks). The Grommet variant is not motorization-friendly: the 1.6 inch eyelets bind on standard gliders, and the wave drape pattern depends on the rod itself rather than a carriage. If a motorized window is in the install plan, Pleated is the analytical pick.
Can I order swatches before choosing between Grommet and Pleated?
Yes, and it is the recommended workflow. Two Pages ships refundable fabric swatches for the Liz Linen collection. The swatch covers the fabric color and texture for both variants identically, so a single swatch order resolves the color decision. The header decision then comes down to hardware on the wall, install permanence, motorization plan, and mood; it does not require a separate header swatch. Swatches themselves are refundable, the made-to-order panel is final sale once production starts.
The Verdict: Which Liz Header to Buy
If the install path involves an existing rod and the renter wants no hardware re-spec, choose Grommet. If the install path involves a track, a motorization plan, or a formal living or bedroom reading, choose Pleated. The fabric, the colorway, the lining options, the lead time, the base price, the OEKO-TEX certification: identical. The right header is the one that matches the hardware on the wall and the mood the room is supposed to project. Coming back to the original question: most renters land on Grommet, most owners with a track land on Pleated, and the people in between answer the 5-question flowchart above.
Option A
TWOPAGES Liz Linen Drape Grommet
from $59.99/panel
- Rod install ready, max 1.5 inch diameter
- 30-second removal, renter-friendly
- Casual transitional mood, wave drape
Code JULY for 20% off · Free shipping over $300
Option B
TWOPAGES Liz Linen Drape Pleated
from $59.99/panel
- Rod or track, hooks or clip-rings
- Motorization-ready on standard track
- Formal tailored mood, crown drape
Code JULY for 20% off · Free shipping over $300
