A closure is a small patch of lace — 4x4 or 5x5 inches — that sits at the front of an install and gives you two or three parting options. A frontal is a strip that runs ear to ear, roughly 13x4 inches, and lets you part anywhere or pull the hair back into a ponytail. Frontals cost more, take longer to install, and need laying every few days. Closures are cheaper and lower maintenance.
Both do the same core job: they close off a sew-in so none of your own hair has to be left out to blend. The difference is how much scalp they cover, and therefore how much freedom you have with the part.
Closure vs frontal at a glance
| Closure | Frontal | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4x4 or 5x5 inches | 13x4 inches, ear to ear |
| Where it sits | Front and centre of the install | The whole hairline |
| Parting options | Middle, or a side part either way | Anywhere, including off-centre and deep side |
| Ponytails and up-dos | No | Yes |
| Bundles needed | 2–3 | 3–4 |
| Install time | Shorter | Longer |
| Upkeep | Low — nothing to lay daily | Higher — edges need laying |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | One or two parts you wear consistently | Changing your part, or wearing hair up |
What is a closure?
A closure is a square of lace with hair knotted into it, sewn in at the front of your install to cover the last section of your own hair. Ours come in two sizes: 4x4, the classic, and 5x5, which buys you a wider parting space for very little extra cost.
The trade-off is parting freedom. Within a 4-inch square you can wear a middle part or a side part either way, and that is genuinely it. You cannot pull the hair back, because behind the closure the tracks start.
For most people that is not a real limitation. If you wear the same part most weeks, a closure gives you the same finished look as a frontal for less money, less chair time, and no edge maintenance.
What is a frontal?
A frontal covers the entire hairline, ear to ear, and runs about four inches back. Because the lace recreates your whole front hairline, you can part it anywhere, wear it off-centre, or pull it into a half-up or full ponytail.
That freedom is what you are paying for, and it costs more in three ways: the piece itself, an extra bundle to balance the density, and the upkeep. A frontal needs laying, and the hairline needs care, because that is where tension shows first.
Browse frontals if you know you want to change your part.
Transparent lace or HD lace?
Once you have chosen the format, the second decision is the lace itself.
Transparent lace is a light, neutral lace that disappears against most skin tones with minimal work. It is the practical default and what most installs use. See transparent lace closures and transparent lace frontals.
HD lace is thinner and finer. It melts closer to the scalp and photographs better, which is why it is the choice when the hairline is going to be looked at closely. It is also more delicate, so it wants a gentler hand at install and takedown. See HD lace closures and HD lace frontals.
Which should you choose?
Choose a closure if you wear one or two parts consistently, you want the lower price and the shorter appointment, or you would rather not think about laying edges between washes. A 5x5 is worth the small upgrade over a 4x4 for the extra parting room.
Choose a frontal if you change your part often, you want to wear the hair up, or you want the hairline to read as completely your own from every angle.
Either way you will want matching bundles in the same texture — two to three for a closure install, three to four for a frontal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a closure and a frontal?
A closure is a 4x4 or 5x5 inch patch of lace at the front of an install, giving two or three parting options. A frontal is a 13x4 inch strip covering the whole hairline ear to ear, which can be parted anywhere and pulled into a ponytail. Frontals cost more and need more upkeep.
How many bundles do I need with a closure or a frontal?
Two to three bundles with a closure, three to four with a frontal. A frontal takes more because it covers more of the head, so the rest of the install needs extra density to match.
Is a frontal or a closure better for beginners?
A closure. It is a shorter install, costs less, and needs no daily maintenance at the hairline. A frontal rewards someone who is comfortable laying lace and wants to change their part.
What is the difference between transparent lace and HD lace?
Transparent lace is a light neutral lace that blends with most skin tones and is hard-wearing. HD lace is thinner and finer, so it melts closer to the scalp and photographs better, but it is more delicate at install and takedown.
Can you wear a ponytail with a closure?
No. A closure only covers a small square at the front, so the tracks behind it would show. A frontal covers the whole hairline, which is what makes a ponytail possible.
What size closure should I get?
A 5x5 if you want a wider parting space and a more natural-looking crown, a 4x4 if you wear a fixed part and want the lowest cost. The extra inch on a 5x5 is the most noticeable upgrade for the money.