HOW TO FIT A CURTAIN POLE

TOOLS FOR THE JOB

You will need: A tape measure, a pencil, a drill with drill bit, a screwdriver, a step ladder, a spirit level, your curtain pole and acessories and perhaps a hacksaw or jigsaw if you need to cut the length of your pole. It may be handy to have someone at hand to help you, especially when fitting a recessed pole.

Safety first: To fit your pole you will need to drill into a wall so it is best to check there are no pipes or electric cables nearby before you start. If you are not sure where your pipes or cables lie, you can use a cable detector to check for an electric current first.

1. OUTSIDE A WINDOW RECESS

STEP 1.

Height

Look at your window and decide where you would like to position your pole. Generally, poles are fitted 10 - 15cms above the window frame, but it is up to you.

At the top left of your window, measure 10-15cm up from the top of the frame and mark it with a pencil.
Place a spirit level horizontally on the height mark you have made and measure outwards to roughly 10-15cm beyond the side of the window frame and make a second mark.
Do the same at the centre. (To find the centre, measure the width of your window, including the frame, and divide it by 2).
Repeat at the top right of the window.

STEP 2

Bracket placement

Curtain poles require at least two brackets, one at either end of the pole, and if the pole is longer than 150cm, a third bracket at the centre for additional support. Remember to allow room for the finials at each end.

Most brackets are positioned at least 10-15cm out from the side of window frame to allow for good coverage of the window and room for the curtains to stack when drawn back.
At the top left of the window, measure 10-15cm out from the side and mark it with a pencil.
Now place a spirit level vertically on the mark you have just made. Measure upwards and mark the point where it intersects the height mark you made in step 1.
The intersection is the point where you need fit the bracket.
Repeat this on the other side. You may need to adjust your marks accordingly.

STEP 3

Fit your brackets

You now need to mark the drill points for fixing the brackets.

Take an end bracket and place it at the intersection point made in step 2, making sure it is aligned it so that the cup that holds the pole is straight and at the right height. Holding the bracket in place, use a pencil to mark the wall through the bracket's screw holes to fix the drill points.
Do the same at the other side of the window and at the centre if necessary.
Remove the bracket and drill a hole at the marked points. Use rawl plugs if required.
Offer the bracket to the wall. Line up the screw holes and screw your the bracket to the wall with a screw driver and the screws provided.
Do the same on the other side.

STEP 4

Pole, finials and rings.

Most of our poles are made-to-measure so the length should not need adjusting. If you have one of our ready-made pole packs, you can use a hacksaw or jigsaw to shorten it. Any damage will be hidden by the brackets.

To fit your pole, first pick it up, attach a finial at one end and secure it in place with the supplied grub screw.
Slide the curtain rings over your pole and attach the second finial securing it with the grub screw.
Adjust the curtain rings so you have an even number each side of your central bracket (if using one).
Offer your fully assembled pole to your window placing it inside the brackets.
Reposition the rings so that you have at least one or two on the outside of your bracket, between it and the finial at each end to stake back your curtains when drawn.
When you are happy with the placement, tighten the pole into the brackets using the thumb turns on the bracket.
You are now ready to hang your blind or curtains.

2. IN A WINDOW RECESS

STEP 1.

Height of pole

Look at your window and decide where you would like to position your pole within the recess. If you are hanging curtains with a rod pocket, eyelet or cottage pleat style heading where some of the fabric sits above the pole, you may need to adjust the height of your pole by a couple of cms to allow room for the fabric.

At one side, measure the height where you wish to position your pole, either from the top of the window recess down, or from the windowsill upwards, depending on which is easier for you.
Remember to deduct a couple of cms if using the fabric heading types mentioned above on a top fitting recessed pole.
Mark the point with a pencil.
Repeat on the other side.

STEP 2

Depth of pole

It is advisable to allow a bit of room behind your blind or curtains to prevent them brushing against the windowpane and getting wet from condensation.

On one side, roughly where you made your height marks in step 1, measure around 10-15cm out from your windowpane, mullion or muntin and mark the spot with a pencil.
Repeat on the other side.
Use a spirit level to draw a faint line from your height and depth marks until they intersect. This is where your recess bracket should be positioned.

STEP 3

Drill the holes

Having worked out your bracket placement, you will now need to mark the points where you need to drill.

On one side, hold the recess bracket to the wall at the intersection marks made in step 2 and align it so that it is straight. Use a pencil to mark the wall through the screw holes to fix the drill points.
Do the same at the other side.
Remove the bracket and drill a hole at the marked points.
Use rawl plugs if required.

STEP 4

Fitting your pole.

You will need to fit your recess pole fully assembled, so it may be handy to have someone nearby to help you hold the pole in place while you secure it.

Pick up the pole and attach a recess bracket to one end, securing it in place with the grub screw.
To ensure the grub screws are hidden, position them so they are at the back of your pole.
Slide the curtain rings over the pole.
Attach the second recess bracket, securing it with the grub screw.
Offer the fully assembled pole to the wall and screw the recess bracket into place on one side until it holds, before repeating on the other side.
When the pole is up, you can tighten the screws further to fully secure it.
You are now ready to hang your blind or curtains.

NEED SOME HELP?

OUR ADDRESS

Jim Lawrence, The Ironworks

Lady Lane, Hadleigh

Suffolk, IP7 6BQ

CALL US

Speak to one of the sales team on
01473 826685
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Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 5pm

EMAIL US

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