Q&A for How to Install Curtain Rods

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Where do I buy a curtain rod for a bay window?

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Karen Parziale is a Home Stager, Home Organizer, and the Founder of The Real Estate Staging Studio based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Karen has over 15 years of home staging and decorating experience and has staged over 5,000 homes. She specializes in project management, space planning, material selections, and builder, architect, and client relationships.

Karen Parziale

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Bay window dimensions aren't universal, so you can't just go to store and get one. You have to get them custom made.

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Question

How do I hang a curtain rod if I live in an apartment and I can't drill into the studs?

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Karen Parziale is a Home Stager, Home Organizer, and the Founder of The Real Estate Staging Studio based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Karen has over 15 years of home staging and decorating experience and has staged over 5,000 homes. She specializes in project management, space planning, material selections, and builder, architect, and client relationships.

Karen Parziale

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

You can always get a tension rod. Just hang it inside of the window frame and then hang the curtain from that. It may not be the most elegant solution in the world, but it will definitely work!

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Question

I have an older mobile home that has the thin wood paneling. What is the best way to install my curtain rods?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

For wood paneling, try adhesive strips and hooks. Many manufacturers offer adhesive curtain rod holders. This is also a great option for people who are renting and not permitted to drill holes in the wall.

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Question

What options do you have if you don’t want to drill into the lintel behind the drywall?

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Staff Answer
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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can use adhesive curtain hooks or a tension curtain rod. Depending on what your window casing is made of, you could also drill into that.

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Question

Should the tops of the curtains be the same height as the window frame, or a few inches higher than the frame?

Community Answer

To make your windows look larger, it's recommended that you hang the curtains near the ceiling. Otherwise, two or more inches above the frame looks best. But it's a matter of preference.

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Question

I am hanging lightweight curtain rods in the bedroom. Everything is done, but at the end of the rod there is a small decorative ball with a screw, and I have no idea what to screw this into.

Community Answer

The small screw is usually to stop the ball sliding off the pole when it is in situ. It just tightens onto the curtain pole when the ball is slotted on.

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Question

My drill only goes so far into the wall, so I can't get my screw anchor in all the way. What should I do?

Community Answer

If your drill only goes in so far, you have one of two problems. The first possible issue is that your drill may not be up to the job, and the second issue is that you may be butting up against a steel or concrete lintel. You could test drill the wall ten inches higher and fix there if your test is successful, or you can establish what lintel you are trying to drill into. Steel will be magnetic on its upper and lower edges (H section) and sometimes over its whole face (box section); otherwise, it will be concrete. It is not good to drill into lintels because it weakens them. If you still want to do so, you will need either an SDS drill and bit for concrete or a high-speed steel drill bit for steel. (Neither of these will be easy to use.)

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Question

How much should a telescopic window pole overlap?

Community Answer

The overlap does not really matter; you can get by with an inch. What is important is that the pole is supported over its entire length.

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Question

What should I use to install curtain rods on cinderblock walls?

Community Answer

There are specialist fixings for cinder blocks, so you should use these. (They can be purchased at your local hardware store.)

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Question

How do I stop my telescoping pole from sliding out of the other pole when installing curtain rods?

Community Answer

There should be screws on the rod holding bracket to secure the curtain rod.

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Question

I drilled the anchor for my rod an eighth of an inch too high. What should I do to make it stable?

Community Answer

Pack baking soda in the hole and apply a few drops of super glue. The baking soda will set up like hard plastic and make things stable.

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