I am slightly concerned that even this method may not work as our curtain pole and curtains are quite heavy. The wooden batten is a decent size as well at 21deepx92tallx2400wide(mm) so there is a some weight in it also, it's a pine strip wood plank from B&Q ( other brands are available 🙂 ). I don't know what we do if this fails as it will be nearly impossible to get the board off the plaster board without cutting it out, making an even bigger mess and repair job. Thanks for your article its been very useful. I am about to do this in an apartment where the curtain pole keeps coming out of the wall, it is making a real mess of the plaster board and multiple holes have been drilled already to no avail. But as we were using curtains we already had, we didn't want the hassle of shortening them. And as they are very lightweight, we wondered about gluing a wooden batten for the curtain pole instead. To help your batten blend in to the wall even more, I used Painters Mate. It's similar to caulk but is flexible. I thought this was perfect for something glued to the wall. I already know the height for the batten, it will be centred horizontally on the window, and I have already painted it. My intended method is slightly different, I have predrilled 5 holes in the batten, hole 3 being in the dead centre, the others equidistant. I plan to put a hole in the wall in the centre, matching the central batten hole, screw the batten (hole 3) to this while it is supported manually at either end, I can then adjust it around the centre to get it level, once level it will be manually held there and I will drill the other 4 pilot holes into the wall with a small bit, going through the pre-drilled holes in the batten, all done in place.

But a few days ago, I started drilling with my combi drill on a hammer drill setting with HSS bits. However, I just couldn't do it and didn't know if it was just me being weak. If you have one long perfectly straight length, then that's great! I wasn't as fussed as I need to use up off cuts and it won't be at eye level. This can be subjective and is influenced by obstructions around the window area. But as a guide the pole should extend about 15-20cm (6-8in) beyond the window recess on each side. And it should be fitted symmetrically relative to the window opening. Storage & organisation Furniture Textiles Kitchenware & tableware Kitchens Lighting Decoration Rugs, mats & flooring Beds & mattresses Baby & children Smart home Bathroom products Laundry & cleaning Plants & plant pots Home electronics Home improvement Outdoor living Food & beverages Christmas Shop Shop by room

HOW TO APPLY "STICKS LIKE SH*T"

For example, try moving your pencil marks outwards for a few centimetres, both in width and height. If you then hang your curtains on the side of the window, while making sure they cover the frames, that will create an illusion that makes your window appear bigger. Much in the same way, placing the pole too close to your window's top edge will make the window appear smaller. Calculate for the weight

Is it time to add the finishing touch to your windows? With our assortment of curtain poles, you’ll find what you need. We have everything from single to triple rod combinations, in different materials, with or without finials. So, you’re sure to find something to your liking in our range. Why curtain poles are a great choice Poles are usually fitted about 15cm above the aperture of a window, but sometimes compromises are needed if there is insufficient space or if the coving obstructs. You need to place the pole the correct height above the floor to allow the curtains to hang correctly. In modern houses you may only have plasterboard into which you drill or you may hit a steel lintel (particularly for the centre support over a wide window). You could hit stone, wood or concrete, or any mix! In bathrooms you may have to drill ceramic, slate or travertine tiles before you reach the wall and this will require special care and drill bits.

Returning your item

Most DIY fitters drill only about 25mm into the wall because the screws usually provided with curtain poles are this length and often something hard to drill is lurking behind the wall! Sadly this won’t guarantee that your curtain will stay up! Now you'll need to measure and mark the centre point on your batten and one dead centre above your window. Then repeat the same marking and measuring for your curtain pole, then pre drill and screw to the batten. CAULKING TO FINISH Before you start fitting or hanging a curtain read any instructions that come with the pole and apply the following tips to successful fitting. Do not hurry! Moreover, make sure you have the correct tools for the job. Above all there is no substitute for carefully thinking through the job before hand, and taking your time can save time!

With those perfectly measured pencil markings around your windows, it’s time to get creative. The way you use your curtains to frame your window can affect your entire interior. Then my husband took over and he found it impossible too. And we soon realised we must have hit the steel lintel. As we don't have an SDS drill and my Dad's is too far away to borrow, it beat us both. So to glue my batten together, I used Bostik's Fix and Flash which was gifted from an old unpaid craft challenge. MARK WHERE YOU WANT YOUR POLE BATTEN First of all, you need to figure out how long your curtain rod needs to be. Start by measuring the width of your window at the top edge, from outer frame to outer frame. Continue by adding at least ten centimetres on each side. Then move these positions upwards another ten centimetres. This position is considered by many to be the recommended minimum measurement. No matter what kind of curtains, rods, or rails you have. Adjusting the position Ensure both surfaces are dust free and here's where I applied in a wiggle fashion from top to bottom.

How to measure curtain rods to fit your windows

If you do not know a good curtain fitter your first port of call should be your local curtain shop or interior design shop as they will be able to help. In the York area we can help. The curtain pole itself will add an interior touch as well. It can be truly discreet, if that’s what you prefer. Why not get a pole in the same colour as your wall? On the other hand, if you want it to be more of a statement piece – get it in a contrasting colour with flashy finials. How to measure curtain rods to fit your windows The most unforgiving curtains to hang are eyelet curtains since there is no means of altering the position of the curtain relative to the pole. You need to get the position of the pole right first time. Walls and fixings Take extra precautions to avoid drilling into electric wiring or pipework. If in doubt consult an electrician/plumber. Joining the two halves together

With my batten being an MDF off cut, you can buy MDF sealer. However, I skipped this step and painted with two coats of the same wall paint instead. But above, I'm measuring where I wanted my pole using a scrap piece of card of half the depth of my batten. This is because we'd already marked where our pole was going to do due to the length of our curtains. Then drew a straight line from this with a spirit level. MARK YOUR CENTRE POINT But there are no rules limiting your curtain poles to just curtains! Go wild and use it to hang up flowerpots or art. Use them to hang decorations for festive events, like balloons on birthday parties or garlands on New Year's Eve. Set one up to use for hanging baskets and S hooks as an elegant way to increase your storage. Just use your imagination! Then push where you want it and leave to cure for 24 hours. Although I left mine for about 16 and it was good to go. PAINTING YOUR BATTEN You may be able to do it yourself but consider how long it might take you and whether you have all the tools, and whether you can guarantee the outcome? Tools needed to fit curtain polesThis will sound like common sense and it is, when a pole comes in two pieces make sure the join is in the middle, unless you have a good reason for putting the join in another place to accommodate a bespoke solution. However, I only used off cuts I had for this and didn't have a strip long enough. So I cut another piece to glue together to get my right length. I've fitted a few curtain poles with my husband over the past few years. I'm usually holding the spirit level while he likes to take over. And normally, we've only ever had issues with using the right plasterboard fittings. Take your time measuring this accurately and mark positions on the wall with a pencil. If the curtains are eyelet headed you will need to be particularly careful with your measurement since the curtains have no means of adjusting their height other than by moving the pole up or down. Remember that with poles in two pieces, you will need to shorten both parts by equal amounts to keep the join central to the finished pole. Complex jobs