HOW TO PUT UP A CURTAIN POLE – Curtain poles are very easy to put up and the curtains you hang on them do not require you to fiddle about with curtain hooks. Curtain poles come in a variety of sizes, even extendable versions, multiple colours and styles, so you are sure to find one that fits your windows and style of your room. In this guide we’ll show you just how easy it is to put up a curtain pole.
Step 1
First thing first… Find out what type of wall you have. You rap the wall lightly with your knuckles. If the sound appears hollow, then you have a plasterboard wall. If it sounds dense, then you have a solid masonry wall. It is important to determine the type of wall as this will dictate the type of raw plugs you will need to use.
Step 2
If you have a masonry wall then use appropriate masonry drill bit and raw plugs to secure the brackets.
Step 3
For plasterboard walls you have a choice – you can fit the brackets directly on the the stud work behind the wall or use the appropriate raw plugs. It is always better if you can fit the brackets to the stud work.
Tip: If you are securing the curtain pole to a plasterboard wall and your curtains are particularly heavy the use Anchor Screws to secure the pole. Anchor screws are generally used or hanging kitchen cabinets or shelving and are suitable to take the heavy load imposed upon them.
Step 4
Take the curtains you have chosen and hold these to the window to determine what height the pole needs to be. A curtain pole should be fitted at least 75mm above the top of the window frame. Using a tape measure, mark this position on the wall using a pencil.
Step 5
Using a multipurpose detector, run this along the intended line of the curtain pole to find any cables or pipes. When fixing to a plasterboard wall, locate and mark the stud positions, as this will allow you to fit the bracket directly to them using a wood screw, without having to use a power drill.
Step 6
Starting at one end place the bracket into position at the height you marked, and where you marked the stud work. Now mark, using a pencil, the screw hole positions in the bracket.
Step 7
Screw the wood screws into the stud work and ensure your bracket is level before tightening.
Step 8
Now that you have the first bracket installed, use a laser level to position the second bracket at the other end of the window and screw this into the wall, repeating what you did for the first bracket. If you do not have a laser level, then take a spirit level and place this on the first bracket. Find the level and mark the position with a pencil. Work your way along the wall using this line until you reach the position of the second bracket.
Step 9
If you are putting up a curtain pole over a very large window, or the curtains you will be hanging are heavy, it’s a good idea to fit a third bracket in the center. Again, try to locate the stud to fit the bracket to, but if you cannot then use appropriate raw plugs.
Step 10
Finally thread the curtains onto your curtain pole and then place the curtain pole on the brackets. Some brackets come with small locking screws so that the curtain pole does not move about on the brackets. If you have these then tighten them once you have positioned the pole evenly across the window.
Acknowledgements: Video – WoodiesDIY.com
