When it comes to dressing your windows with heavy or extra-long made-to-measure curtains, proper installation is essential for both safety and aesthetics. These substantial window treatments require special consideration to ensure they hang beautifully for years to come without causing damage to your walls or posing safety risks.
Selecting the Right Hardware
The foundation of safely hanging heavy curtains begins with selecting appropriate hardware. Standard curtain poles and brackets simply won't suffice for weighty fabrics or extra-long drops.
For heavy curtains, opt for solid metal poles with a diameter of at least 30mm. Wrought iron or steel poles provide excellent support, while wooden poles should be at least 50mm in diameter to prevent bowing. Ensure brackets are proportionally robust and include centre supports for poles exceeding 2 metres.
Extra-long curtains require poles mounted high enough to allow proper hanging without dragging. Consider ceiling-mounted tracks for particularly tall windows, which distribute weight more evenly across the ceiling rather than concentrating it on wall-mounted brackets.
Wall Assessment and Preparation
Before installation, thoroughly assess your walls. Plasterboard walls require special fixings such as toggle bolts or expansion screws, while solid masonry walls can accept standard wall plugs and screws.
Use a stud finder to locate wall studs wherever possible, as these provide the most secure anchoring points. For especially heavy curtains, consider installing a wooden batten across multiple studs, then mounting your curtain hardware to this batten for superior weight distribution.
Proper Bracket Installation
When installing brackets, follow these essential steps:
- Mark bracket positions carefully, ensuring they're level and symmetrical
- Pre-drill holes at the correct size for your wall fixings
- Use the longest appropriate screws for your wall type
- Install centre support brackets every 1-1.5 metres for heavy poles
- Leave adequate clearance for curtain headers and rings to move freely
For extra-long curtains, position brackets higher than standard height—approximately 15-20cm above the window frame or at ceiling height—to create a sense of greater ceiling height and allow the fabric to hang properly.
Handling Special Situations
Bay windows with heavy curtains present unique challenges. Consider custom-bent poles or specialized bay window tracks designed for heavier loads. These systems typically include additional brackets at angle points for enhanced support.
For ceiling-mounted tracks supporting especially heavy curtains, ensure fixings penetrate ceiling joists or install a reinforced mounting board spanning multiple joists.
Professional Installation Considerations
While many homeowners successfully install curtain hardware, extremely heavy or valuable made-to-measure curtains often warrant professional installation. Professional fitters have access to specialized tools and extensive experience in weight distribution and secure mounting techniques.
If attempting DIY installation, always have a helper, especially when handling long or heavy curtains. The combined weight of fabric, lining, interlining, and heading tape can be surprisingly substantial and unwieldy.
Maintenance for Long-Term Safety
Once installed, periodically check fixings and brackets for signs of strain or loosening. Heavy curtains create constant pressure on hardware, and early intervention can prevent accidents or wall damage.
For motorized systems controlling heavy curtains, ensure the motor capacity matches the curtain weight. Underpowered motors will fail prematurely and potentially create safety hazards.
Final Considerations
Properly hung heavy or extra-long curtains transform a room, creating luxury and warmth while improving insulation. The investment in proper hardware and installation techniques pays dividends in longevity, appearance, and peace of mind.
Remember that beautiful curtains deserve equally beautiful and reliable hanging systems—cutting corners on hardware or installation simply isn't worth the risk to your investment or safety.