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. The illustration above is of a cafe rod that sit further down a window than traditional pole, but the fitting advice is the same.

Looking at the top of your window frame, at one end use a measuring tape to measure 10-15cm up from the top of the frame (or where you would like your pole to sit) and mark it with a pencil.
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 other end of your window frame.
Using a spirit level to ensure your lines are straight, one each side you may want to draw a horizontal faint line outwards from your height marks to roughly 10-15cm beyond the side window frame.

STEP 2

Bracket placement

Now decide where you would like to place your brackets. Curtain poles require at least two brackets 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 poles are positioned at least 10-15cm out from the window frame to allow for good coverage of your window and for the curtains to stack when drawn back.
Looking at one side of your window frame, somewhere near the top, use a measuring tape to measure 10-15cm out from the side frame and mark it with a pencil.
Now place your spirit level at the mark you have just made and with a pencil, draw a faint light upwards to the point where it intersects with the height marks you made in step 1.
The intersection is the point you want fit your bracket so that the pole sits at the right height above your window frame.
Repeat this on the other. You may need to adjust your marks accordingly.

STEP 3

Fit your brackets

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

Take one of your end brackets and offer it to the wall it at the intersection marks made in step 2 and align it so that the cup that holds the pole is at the right height. Most brackets will have x 2 holes for fixing screws, generally one above the other, so use a pencil to mark the wall through the screw holes to fix the drill points.
Do the same at the other end and at the centre if necessary.
Remove the brackets and drill holes for your brackets at the marked points.
Add rawl plugs if required, then screw your brackets to the wall with a screw driver and the screws provided.

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 cut it. Any damage to the metal or finish will be hidden by the sleeve brackets.

To fit your pole, first pick it up and attach a finial at one end to stop the curtain rings from slipping off and secure it in place with the supplied grub screw.
Make sure the grub screw lies at the back or bottom of your pole so it is hidden by the bracket. You may need a small screw driver to tighten the grub screws.
Carefully slide the curtain rings over your pole and place the pole in the brackets.
Adjust the curtain rings so you have an even number each side of your central bracket (if using one) remembering to place at least one curtain ring on the outside of your bracket, between it and the finial at each end to stake back your curtains to stop them from pulling right across your window when drawn.
When you are happy with the ring placement, pop the other finial into place and secure it with the grub screw.
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, and the pole is to be fitted towards the top of your window, you may need to deduct a couple of cms to allow enough room for the fabric.

With a measuring tape, measure the height where you wish to position your pole either from the top of the window recesss down, or from the window sill 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.
Measure the same height on the other side and mark the spot.

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 window pane and getting wet from condensation.

To find the correct depth to fit your recess bracket, at one side, roughly where you made your height marks in step 1, use a measuring tape to measure at least 10-15cm out from your window pane, 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, offer your recess bracket to the wall it at the intersection marks made in step 2 and align it so that the cup/protrusion 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 brackets and drill holes at the marked points, using rawl plugs if required.

STEP 4

Fit the recess brackets, pole and rings at the same time.

Because there is no room in a recess to fit your brackets first, you will need to fit your pole fully assembled. It will be handy to have someone 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, turn your pole so they are at the back.
Slide the curtain rings over the pole making sure they don't slip off the other end!
Attached the second recess bracket, suring 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
Our telephone lines are open:

Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 5pm

EMAIL US

Email us at: sales@jim-lawrence.co.uk