Curtains are great for privacy, decoration, creating shade in the summer and keeping heat in during the winter. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be custom made for any window. Curtains can be manufactured from just about any fabric, e.g. light voile that lets light filter through or heavy cotton with black-out linings. Whichever curtains you decide to buy, you will need to hang them. This can be done using a track, a wire or a pole. If you are going to use a pole but have never actually installed a curtain pole before then fear not, this article will tell you everything you need to know.

Equipment You Will Need

• Drill
• Pencil
• Wall plugs
• Wooden brackets (if it is a plasterboard wall)
• Screws
• Screw driver
• Spirit level
• Curtain rail and brackets
• Measuring tape
• Curtain
• Optional safety mask and goggles

Check Wall Type

Knock on the wall and listen to see if it sounds hollow or solid. If it is solid then you can attach the brackets directly to the wall. If it is hollow (i.e. plasterboard) then you will need to first attach the brackets to wooden studs and then attach the studs to the wall. The reason why studs are needed for plasterboard is because plasterboard cannot support the weight of a curtain rail by itself. Wooden studs take some of the pressure away from the plasterboard.

Height

You need to decide how high above the window that you want the rail to be. It is recommended that the pole is positioned at least 8cm above the frame of the window. If the rail is too close to the window frame it will let too much light through when the curtains are drawn and you might be able to see the curtain header on the back of the curtain from the outside. When you are considering the height of the pole, factor in any ruffles or pleats at the top of the curtain.

Length

You must decide how long you want the rail to be. When opening the curtains, d you want to be able to pull them away from the window completely to let as much light in as possible? If so then leave enough length on the pole. Remember that the longer the pole, the more support brackets you will need to hold the rail up.

Mark The Wall

When you have decided on the positioning of the rail, hold the brackets in place, use a spirit level to check that they are straight, and use a pencil to mark the areas you need to drill. Make sure that the markings for all brackets are aligned. Use a measuring tape if necessary.

Attach The Brackets

Ensure that there are no wires or pipes in the wall before you drill into it. It is recommended that you wear a mask and safety goggles when drilling. If your wall is solid, use a masonry drill bit and drill the holes where you have marked the wall. Insert wall plugs and then attach the bracket. If you have a plasterboard (hollow) wall you must first attach the brackets to the wooden studs and then attach the studs to the wall using the drill and screws.

Add extra brackets for support if your window is wide or if your curtains are particularly heavy.

Hang The Curtains

Slide the curtain rings or tabs over the pole. Leave one ring/tab between the bracket and the end of the pole so that when you pull the curtain it doesn’t expose the edge of the window.

This article was written by Jenna Crotty who recommends www.dunneandnugent.com for curtains in Dublin.

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