Do It Yourself: Drapery Installation

Draperies are effective at blocking light.

A drapery is a window treatment, often lined, that hangs from drapery hooks on a rod that usually has a sliding arm to open and close the drapes. Draperies are heavier and more formal than regular curtains. Installing your own drapes will involve mounting the drapery rod and attaching the hooks to it. When you complete this, you will be able to open and close the draperies with a pull cord.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Screwdriver
• Electric drill
• Wood screws
• Drywall anchors
• Drapery rod

Instructions

1. Mark the spot above the window frame where you want the draperies to sit. If you are unsure of the correct height, measure the length of the draperies and then measure from the floor up to that point. Mark the spot with a pencil.

2. Measure the width of the window, and the width of the drapery rod. Subtract the width of the window from the width of the drapery rod. Divide the resulting number by two. This number is the distance between the edge of the window frame and the mounting bracket on each side. Measure this distance on both sides of the window and mark the spots with a pencil.

3. Use a screwdriver to attach the mounting brackets in the two places you marked. If you are over a wall stud, an electric drill and regular wood screws will be faster than a manual screwdriver. If you are not over a wall stud, use sturdy drywall anchors instead of wood screws.

4. Lift the drapery rod into the mounting brackets and lower the rod so it snaps into place. Pull the cord so the master carriers -- which will support the leading edges of each half of the drapes -- sit in the middle of the rod and the drapery holders are evenly spaced.

5. Lift a drapery panel up to the master carrier. Slip the first two drapery hooks into the first and third holes on the master carrier. Slip the next drapery hook into the first plastic holder behind the master carrier. Continue until all the drapery hooks are in the correct holders, including the last one, which is on the side of the rod bracket -- wrapping the drape around to that side covers the end of the rod. Repeat with the second panel.

References

• Colton Inc: How to Install a Drapery Rod
• Colton Inc: How to Hang Draperies