How to Install Window Treatments
There are so many types of window treatments to choose from that most homeowners consider the choosing to be the hardest part of the job. Curtains, drapes, sheers, cloth shades, Roman shades, mini-blinds and plantation shutters all look attractive and answer the need for privacy or shade from bright sunlight. Once you've made the decision, talk to the salesperson and find the right hardware for installation of your new window treatments. Now you're ready to get the hammer and screwdriver out and complete the job; here's how. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Rods, hardware and clips (if needed)
- Wall anchors
- Measuring tape
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Pencil
Instructions
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Design your window treatment. Traditional windows have sheers, overdrapes and valences. Today we're more informal, designing our window treatments to match the decor and to do what we need for the window. A top floor condo probably has little need for privacy, but a window that faces west in the afternoon needs drapes that resist heat and light. With a set of blinds, an overdrape above a kitchen sink may consist merely of a swag or valence. Choose your window treatments based on your preferences and lifestyle.
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Get the right hardware. Pleated drapes require pins for hanging on traverse rods. A system of pulleys and cords opens and closes the drapes. Be sure to buy traverse rods that are heavy enough for the drapes or lighter for sheers. Tabbed draperies should be hung on decorative rods and curtains with pockets that gather on cafe rods. All of these rods come with hardware to hang them from a wall or inside a window frame. You can also buy sets of rods if sheers, drapes and valence all use the same hanging system. If the clips don't fit into a window or you need more extension, hardware is available for this, too.
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Spot it right. Use draper's rules. Hang drapes from the top of the window frame or the ceiling to just under the bottom of the window frame or to the floor. Figure on a curtain width one and a half times the width of the window for unpleated curtains or drapes so gathers that look right and the window treatment covers the window completely. Mark mounting holes and check to make sure that the "fall," or distance to the floor is equal before starting to drill or install mounting hardware.
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Put it up right. Continental rods, blinds and certain other types of rods have little boxes that open on one side or on top to accept the ends of the rods. Other systems use clips that rods can be slipped onto. Shutters require unique hardware and the same attention to leveling that you would use when hanging a door. Hardware generally comes with complete instructions. If you have questions, ask your drapery or home store salesperson to explain how to use the mounting hardware. If you're mounting the clips on wallboard rather than wood, be sure to use wall anchors to secure the screws. Check for level before hanging curtains or drapes on hardware. Tie-backs should be mounted one-third of the way down the length of the curtain or two-thirds down for formal, full-length drapes.
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Tips & Warnings
Hang blinds inside window frames whenever possible--the hardware is designed for this and they're more effective when the edge of the blind meets the window frame.
Support long rods adequately, installing support brackets no further than 45 inches apart. If you're hanging a heavy drapery, put supports closer together. Support hardware is available wherever window treatment hardware is sold.
Let drapes and curtains hang straight for a day or so when new or just back from the cleaners before draping or pulling them closed. This way, any wrinkles straighten out and the window treatments learn to fall or "drape" properly.
Resources
- Photo Credit Microsoft Office clip art, DRW & Associates, Inc.
