Curtain Rods & Curtain Poles

Making Curtain Rods from Household Items

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:46:48 +0000

Do you want something a little different than the average curtain rod? If you are looking for original ideas to give your room that extra special feature then making your own curtains rods might just be the way to go.

It doesn’t have to be expensive at all, you can use every day items from around the house which you may had discarded as trash. Well the saying is true, one mans trash in another mans treasure! Have a sort through the attic or garage and see if you can find something long enough and that has a suitable circumference be be your new curtain rod.

Here are a few ideas to get you on your way to DIY curtain rod heaven:

Bamboo Sticks– Head down to your local garden centre and buy a length of bamboo the size of your window frame (Don’t forget to add on an extra few inches either side of the window). Screw some brackets or hooks into the wall and clip the bamboo into the brackets as you would for a regular curtain rod.

When you are choosing your bamboo, just remember it has to hold the weight of your curtains so it’s best to choose a thicker stick.

A Tree Branch – Go for a stroll around your nearest forest or wooded area, look for a branch about the length of your window frame. Get rid of all the twigs and little branches, and then coat it with some spray paint. Tie on some curtains and you have a very original rustic curtain rod.

photo credit: daBinsi (nag uma na sad!)

Sports Equipment – Have you ever started a sport, gone out and bought all the new gear and then six months later given up and stored all your new sports gear away? These are perfect for using as curtain rods – golf clubs, fishing rods, hockey sticks, ski poles or even a pool cue.

Gardening Tools – Have you got an old leaf rake or garden shovel lying around? Clean it off properly and attach it to the wall with brackets and you’ve got the perfect size curtain rod and a real talking point!

Hardware Store – The electrical department is a treasure trove of curtain rod making items. You can use things such as electrical conduit and galvanised pipes.

DIY curtain rods are probably best combined with tie on curtains or large curtain rings so you can show off your new imaginative genius!

Hang Your Curtain Rods Without a Tape Measure

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:37:14 +0000

If you have ever tried to hang a curtain rod on your own you’ll know how difficult it can be; juggling a tape measure, screwdriver and screws while trying to hold a curtain bracket! Why not make things a bit easier by not having to use a measuring tape at all?

Here are some simple instructions for you to easily hang your new curtain rods.

What you’ll need

Curtain rod, bracket & screws
Power Drill
Screwdriver
Pencil
A4 Piece of Paper
Sellotape
Spirit (Carpenter) level

Instructions

photo credit: magnetbox

Take your piece of paper and sellotape it to the wall. It must be flush against the window frame so it is lined right up against the side of the window.
Get your level and put it on the top of the window frame. Make sure it reaches far enough over the window sill to be over the paper.
Using your pencil, draw a line on the paper to mark the top of the window frame where your level is placed. Make sure the bubble is in the direct center of the level. If it isn’t you may have some paint or dirt on top of the window.
Put your bracket up where you want it to be and draw a mark on the paper where you will need to drill the screw holes.
Use a screw to press through the paper on the pencil mark you just made, this will make a mark on the wall so you can see where to drill
Take the paper down carefully without tearing it so you can reuse it, and using your drill make a hole where you have marked.
Repeat the same steps for the other side of the window.
Clip your curtain rod into your brackets and you now have a fully functional curtain rod.

Installing Wall Anchors & Screws

admin — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:43:32 +0000

If you can’t find a stud or nail board behind your wall then you’ll need to install a hollow-wall anchor such as a toggle bolt or hollow-wall insert. These can be found at any hardware store and are not expensive.

Installing Wall Anchors

What you’ll need

Wall anchors
Drill
Multi use screws
Screwdriver
Pencil

Instructions

Choose your wall anchor from the hardware store.
Mark the position on the wall with your pencil that you want to install the wall anchor.
Using the drill, make a hole in the wall just big enough to fit the wall anchor or insert.
Thread a screw through the toggle bolt before you push it through the hole into the wall. If you’re using a plastic wall insert, put the insert into the hole first before putting the screw into the insert.

Another newer option to consider using is an anchor which looks like a huge screw with large threads. You simply thread these anchors straight into the wall using a screwdriver or power drill, they bury themselves right into the wall so they are flush and have an opening to put the screw right into.

Installing Screws in Wood

If you’re installing your curtain rods directly onto the window frame, you’ll need to screw the brackets directly into solid wood. Here are some instructions to help you out.

What you’ll need

photo credit: roland

Stud finder
Drill
Screws
Pencil
Screwdriver

Instructions

Make sure your screws have a big enough thread to reach right through to a joist or stud.
Using your stud finder, locate the stud and mark it with your pencil.
With your drill, make a small pilot hole (smaller than your screws).
Put the screw into the pilot hole and using your screwdriver turn it all the way in.

How to Install Curtain Rods

admin — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:18:59 +0000

Before you can relax and enjoy your new curtains, you must first install your curtain rod. It is possible to do this by yourself but the task will me immeasurably easier with the help of a second person.

Installing your curtain rods is a pretty straight forward process. Here are a few basic steps to help , ensure you properly install your rods and brackets.

What you will need

Curtain Rods & Brackets
Power Drill (a hand drill will be fine too, just more work!)
Pencil
Spirit (Carpenters) level
Screws (usually provided with the curtain brackets)
Screwdriver

Instructions

photo credit: krossbow

First you’ll have to decide whether you want to mount your curtain rods on the wall or on the window frame. If you’re attaching the rod to the wall try and find a stud or a nailing block behind the wall. If you can’t find one, or you are mounting it to the window frame, you’ll have to use hollow-wall anchors.
Hold the curtain rod up to the window at the height you want to install it. If you’ve got someone helping you, get them to place the brackets somewhere from 3 to 6 inches from the edge of the window. This is entirely up to you, place the brackets wherever you think looks best within the above range. Use the spirit level on the curtain rod to make sure it is level.
Use your pencil to mark on the wall or frame the placement of the brackets and screw holes.
Using your drill make pilot (shallow holes to help put the screws into) holes in the wall or frame where you have market your screw holes.
Putting the bracket back on the wall in place, insert the screws into the screw holes and using your screwdriver, attach the bracket to the wall. Repeat this process until all your curtain rod brackets are screwed tightly into place.
You can now position your curtain rod into your brackets and you’re done!

If you’re ot sure how to install hollow-wall anchors, check out the instructions in the other post.

Welcome to A Curtain Rod Store

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:22:12 +0000

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new website www.ACurtainRodStore.com

You’ll find information such as how to make your own curtain rods, how to make curtain rod casings. Choosing the right curtain poles (they’re the same thing as curtain rods, but some people call them by different names).

We’ve also got an online store where you can buy curtain rods along with other curtain accessories right from your computer without leaving the house.

There are so many different kinds of curtain rods to choose from, if you’re going through the process of renovating or building then choosing your window dressing can be just another task to add to your growing list of things to do.

Keep in mind whatever you choose may have a big impact on y0ur overall look and feel. You can get some really stunning rods which are a feature in themselves, or if you would like something subtle to blend into your surroundings then that can be nice too.

Choosing your curtain rods is a personal choice which should completely match your personalities and the theme of your room.

You can spend a lot or a little of money on curtain poles, so make sure you allow for them in your budget. You also need to remember you will need to choose things like end caps or finials and curtain rings.