How to Install a Rod on French Door Curtains

Curtains on exterior French doors provide privacy.

Fitted with small panes of glass that make up the majority of the surface area, French doors let a lot of light to the indoors. To cut down the light levels a little or give yourself privacy, hang special French door curtain panels over the window panes in the doors. Fastened to a rod at the top and at the bottom, the curtains on French doors stay put when the door is opened and closed.

Things You'll Need

• Electric drill
• Screwdriver
• French door curtain rods

Instructions

1. Install the brackets for the top rod above the glass panes. Position the brackets so the bottom edge of the bracket plate is 2 to 3 inches above the top of the window pane. Position the brackets approximately 1 inch away on the diagonal from the outside corners of the window panes. Make sure the brackets on either side of the French door window are located in the same spot, relative to the window. This will ensure that the rod is installed evenly and level from side to side. Install the bottom rod in the same manner.

2. Drill pilot holes, using the brackets as a template. The holes should be about 1/4 inch deep and slightly smaller than the screws for hanging the brackets.

3. Position the brackets, insert the screws and screw them into the door with a manual screwdriver.

4. Install the bottom set of brackets approximately 2 to 3 inches below the bottom of the panes of glass and set about 1 inch away from the outside corners.

5. Insert curtain rods in pockets at the top and bottom of the curtain panels.

6. Hang curtain rods from slots in the brackets on either side of the glass. Hang the top rod first, then the bottom rod.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure the size of the window. Add about 5 to 6 inches to its length to determine the finished length of the curtains. Multiply the width measurement by 2 to 2 1/2 to determine the finished width of the curtain panel, depending on the thickness of your material. The excess fabric will create soft gathers when installed on the rod.

References

• French Door Curtain Company: French Door Curtain Rods
• French Door Curtain Company: Door Curtains
• French Door Curtain Company: How to Measure (Outside Mount Method)