Mounting curtain rods: tips from professional curtain installers

Before you begin installing a shade, read the instructions that came with the pole and apply the following tips for a successful installation. Do not hurry! Also, make sure you have the right tools for the job. Above all, there is no substitute for thinking carefully about the job beforehand, and taking your time can save you time!

pole length

This can be subjective and is influenced by obstructions around the window area. But as a guide, the post should extend 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) beyond the window opening on each side and should be positioned symmetrically in relation to the window opening. There are exceptions in which case seek professional help. Recheck the position of the end brackets, and be careful if electrical outlets or light switches are closer than 1 foot (30 cm) from the window.

positioning

Posts are usually placed about 15cm above a window opening, but compromises are sometimes needed if there is not enough space or if obstructions are covered. You must position the pole at the correct height above the floor to allow the curtains to hang properly. Take your time to measure this accurately and mark the positions on the wall with a pencil. If your curtains have grommets, you’ll need to be extra careful with the measurement, as the curtains have no other way to adjust their height other than by moving the pole up or down.

Try to get the post level using a spirit level as a guide, even if the top of the window or ceiling isn’t really level.

Walls and Fixings.

Posts are usually attached to walls, window frames or doors, so you will need to drill holes possibly in an unknown material. You need a good drill, possibly with a hammer action for concrete, and the right size and type of drill bit. In modern houses you may only have sheetrock to drill into or you may be able to pound a steel header (particularly for center support over a wide window). You can hit stone, wood or concrete, or any mixture! In bathrooms you may need to drill through ceramic tiles before reaching the wall and this will require special care and drill bits.

Take extra precautions to avoid drilling into electrical wiring or pipes.

Poles in two halves.

This will sound like common sense and it is, when a post comes in two pieces make sure the joint is in the middle, unless you have a good reason to place the joint elsewhere to accommodate a bespoke solution. Typically a post made of two pieces will require a center support bracket and this will hide the joint. Wooden posts usually have a double headed screw that is used to join the two halves together. Metal posts sometimes use a wooden dowel to join the two halves together.

When installing a long post with a center brace, position it first, then remove the left and right tiers for the end brackets. You should get a more level finished post than if you start at one end and work across.

Cutting a curtain pole to size

For the wooden curtain poles, we used a miter box and a jig saw, although any wood saw will do and if you get stuck, use a straight block of wood as a guide. However, we recommend the use of a miter box to give a straight finish and you will also find that the pull saw will give you a cleaner, smoother finish with less chance of splintering than a conventional wood saw.

For small diameter metal curtain poles, we use a pipe cutter. For large posts, use a high-quality hacksaw with 28 teeth per inch. You can use a junior hacksaw, but chances are they will trip out. Stainless steel studs need a sharp saw.

Remember that with two-piece posts, you will need to shorten both pieces by equal amounts to keep the joint centered on the finished post.

Instruments

Electric drill, with hammer capacity; drill bits; masonry for brick, etc.; titanium for steel lintels; wall plugs and screws; spiritual level; screwdrivers; marking pencil; saw, pipe cutter and miter block and a vacuum cleaner to clean the dust.

Finally – safety first

Installing a curtain pole doesn’t have to be an onerous task, but if you don’t feel confident, hire a professional to do the job. In particular, if the shade is going to have a drop of more than 3 meters or is particularly heavy, or if the mounting space is obstructed, go directly to a professional. If you don’t know a good drapery installer, your first port of call should be your local drapery or interior design store, as they will be able to help you.