How to attach a curtain rod to a drywall ceiling?
Once the main repair in the room is finished, you can move on to the decoration. And it is at this stage it is necessary to make the installation of curtain rods. If a wall model is chosen, or if the ceiling is left as it is. concrete, then there are no problems. However, if the overlap is mounted construction of gypsum plasterboard, everything will be a little more complicated, because it is much more difficult to attach the cornice to the ceiling of plasterboard than to the usual concrete or wooden base.
Rules for positioning the ledge
Even before mounting, it is important to determine the location and position of the future awning support. There are few rules and they are all simple:
- The length of the curtain rod is determined so that when sliding it to the extreme positions, the curtains open the window completely. As a rule, a rod with a length of 30 centimeters larger than the size of the window on each side is enough for this.
- The plane of the curtain rod should be placed a little further than the window sill protrudes. the material should not touch it.
- For plasterboard surfaces, the best solution is plastic flat models of curtains, which will not greatly reduce the height of the room, which has already become less due to the installation of plasterboard plane.
- The anchoring spacing is determined by the weight of the curtains. However, do not hope to more reliably fix the curtain with heavy curtains, simply by increasing the number of dowels. The surface of plasterboard has its own limit of strength and heavy materials it can not withstand. You have to choose the correct option of fixing.
Rules for the location of the curtain rod
Even before installation, it is important to determine the location and position of the future support for curtains. There are few rules and they are all simple:
- The length of the rod is determined so that when sliding to the extreme positions, the curtains open the window completely. As a rule, a rod with a length of 30 centimeters larger than the dimensions of the window on each side is enough for this.
- The plane of the drape must be positioned slightly further away from the window sill. the material must not interfere with it.
- For plasterboard surfaces, the best solution is plastic flat models of curtains, which will not greatly reduce the height of the room, which is already less due to the installation of plasterboard plane.
- The spacing of the fasteners is determined by the weight of the curtains. However, you should not hope to fix curtains with heavy curtains more securely, simply by increasing the number of dowels. The surface of gypsum plasterboard has its own limit of strength and heavy materials it may not be able to withstand. It is necessary to choose the right variant of fixing.
Fixing options
The best way to fix something on the drywall structure. to provide for the possibility of such fixation in advance. For this purpose, in the interior space of the mounted ceiling, special embedded platforms of a durable material, or additional crosspieces in the framework of a metal profile are installed. After assembling the entire ceiling, the external structures are attached directly through the surface of the drywall, and the screws are screwed into the tabs or lintels.
But it is not always possible to foresee everything beforehand and it can be necessary to fix ceiling curtains after the composition is ready. In this case, the tabs may not be, and in the profile can not always get. In order not to spoil the surface with unnecessary holes, you can use a special type of fastener designed just for such cases. dowels with an opening inner part.
Such dowels are called “butterfly” for the peculiar shape of the opening part. They are mounted in the usual way. a hole is made in the plane, dowel is inserted and screwed into it. The only disadvantage of the solution. it is impossible to hang heavy curtains on such fasteners. However, the weight of the eaves to be installed will be limited and you should not overload such dowels.
What to do if your curtains are heavy enough, and how to attach the ledge to the drywall in this case? There is a way out, although the installation will be more labor-intensive. You will need a special anchor for the concrete, which length will be equal to the thickness of the ceiling composition, plus the portion that will be screwed into the base.
In the surface of the composition, a hole is made in the place where the anchor is to be installed. With the long drill in the concrete slab drilled a hole, a depth of about five centimeters, into which the anchor bolt is screwed. Since its length will be greater than the thickness of the ceiling, it will be able to securely fix the curtain rod to be attached. In this case, the weight of the construction can already be more significant. Choose the length of anchors should be precise enough, so that after installing it the head does not stick out.
What are the wall rails?
Single-row curtain rod can be any length and it can be used to make several lines of curtains
Double-row wall ledges for curtains suit people who want to hang curtains and curtains on the windows
Three-row wall cornices are suitable for complicated textile compositions of curtains, draperies and lambrequins
The number of rows depends on the number of separately hanging tulle, porters, as well as the presence of lambrequin.
By design there are profile, straight and string structures. The material is varied. it can be an inexpensive plastic, and expensive wood, as well as forged metal.
The design of profile cornices is different in that it is a U-shaped profile, inside of which there are guides with hooks or clips for fastening curtains
Profile structures have one guide rail, which is attached to the ceiling by means of dowel nails. If the installation of the suspension is planned on the wall, then the brackets are additionally purchased. As a decorative ornament of this type of hangers for window textiles, plastic baguettes are used. It performs two functions at once:
Very beautiful wooden baguettes look. They are carved on special computer machines with a numerical algorithm. This approach allows to make perfectly smooth patterns of the most intricate form.
The main feature of the baguette ledge is the presence of a decorative strip, which hides the place of attachment of curtains
Straight curtains can be made in the form of round and rectangular tubes. Here, everything depends on the design of the room in which the product is purchased.
The simplest rod model is a rod or tube, which is attached with brackets to the wall or hanging from the ceiling
As a rule, the material is wood or metal. Profile products are most often made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic. But there are also aluminum rails. Here, the choice depends on the weight of the accessories for the curtain, as well as the window textile itself. Accordingly, the heavier the curtains you will hang, the stronger the curtain track should be (t.е. aluminum for heavy textiles).
In addition to ordinary, straight curtain hangers, curvilinear products are produced. Such constructions are indispensable for modern apartment architecture. Curvilinear suspensions are convenient for bay windows and rooms with non-standard wall planning.
How to hang the curtain rod on the wall?
The ledge must be of such a length that the curtains opened in their entirety open the window opening
At first glance, the question of how to mount curtains to the wall, there are no difficulties. What could be easier: just drill a wall and that’s it. But in fact, everything is much more complicated. Take into account the geometric parameters of the room, which are often far from ideal. Also, an important role is played by the manufacturing material of the surface on which to mount, as well as the side of the world on which the windows look out.
Calculate the correct height at which to hang the ledge
So let’s summarize. What affects the process of mounting the suspension?
- The size of the room and its geometric parameters.
- Type of curtain track.
- The material of the mounting surface.
- Type of window textile, its weight and quantity.
- The side of the light, which the windows of the room face.
- The presence of the window sill and the size of its protrusion relative to the window.
- The presence of the heating radiator.
Important! Before proceeding to the installation of the hanging structure for curtains, find out the manufacturing material of the surface to which you plan to fasten. This will determine the choice of fasteners, as well as their number.
The main parameters for determining the place of fixing the ledge
The first thing to determine is the gap between the outermost tulle and the window opening. Here attention is paid to the most protruding surface. Usually it is a window sill or a heating radiator. When repairing the room, made in compliance with all construction rules and requirements, the width of the window sill should be greater than the edge of the open window, and the heating radiator is installed exactly under the slope. That is why the indentation is made from the window sill.
Not all apartments have the geometry of the window. over, modern construction in our country is due to European trends. From the same place take the beginning and construction standards, which are clearly different from those adopted in our country. Therefore, when determining the gap between the outermost (usually tulle) curtain and part of the window, consider these three distances at once:
The minimum gap value is 7-10 cm.
The next step is to pay attention to the geometry of the wall and ceiling. The curtain rod must be strictly parallel to the ceiling joint with the window. This placement will properly maintain the visual quality of the room.
Measuring when choosing curtain rods and curtains
Advice. Be sure to place the hanger or its brackets parallel to the ceiling.
To do this, depart from the ceiling at the same distance for each bracket and make a mark for the holes.
Mark on the wall the places where the holes will be made
The height of the indent depends on the brightness in the room. If the bedroom windows face the south, there will be a lot of sun: In this case, it’s better to hang the curtains virtually under the ceiling (5 cm indentation will be enough). With the northern location of the room indentation can be increased to 15 centimeters.
Use a drill to make the holes for the brackets
Installation options
Let’s not waste time and proceed to consider specific solutions. Each of them has its pros and cons and can be used in certain conditions. Don’t listen to other people’s advice until you know all the options. Often advisors have no idea that the work can be done much easier.
Method 1. special base reinforcement
This option is suitable for those who have not yet made the ceiling, or at least constructed a framework, but have not yet covered it with GKL. Its essence is that in the place where the eaves will be attached, the surface is reinforced from the inside with any suitable element.
Most often one of the two solutions is used:
- You can fix a wooden bar with a thickness of 30 mm or more along the construction. It is fixed to the wall, the ceiling or fixed through the hangers, it doesn’t matter, the main thing is to have a solid foundation for the entire length of the window. Subsequently, you can easily fix the ledge. plasterboard is simply screwed with wood screws and the fastener is firmly fixed in the reinforcing element, it is easy and at the same time reliable;
This option allows you to carry out fastening with ordinary self-tapping wood screws
- The second option. to strengthen the surface with a profile for drywall, for this you just need to add a separate element, which will be located along the line of the cornice. Everything is easy and fast enough, the main thing is to place the element in the desired location. Subsequently, fixing the eaves is done using self-tapping screws on metal.
You can not fix the additional element on the frame, and fix it on the hangers
The advantage of this solution is simplicity, you do not need to invent anything, you just screw in self-tapping screws and securely fasten the construction. But this option has a disadvantage: if you have already made the installation of plasterboard, then it will not be possible to strengthen the surface. That’s why this technology is not suitable for everyone, often people think about fixing the rails not in advance, but when the repair is already made, and need to somehow get out of the situation.
If you do everything in advance, then you can do even easier and make a hidden curtain rod from drywall. In this case, you need to construct a frame so that along the window was a niche width of about 20 cm. Then you can hide the construction, and the curtains themselves will look very interesting, because the place where they are fixed will be hidden from view, the photo below shows such a variant.
The gypsum plasterboard curtain track is very simple to make, but you get a very unusual end result
Method 2. Using a bow tie
This variant presupposes that it is necessary to fasten the dowels to the existing construction. The main working element is a special dowel-butterfly. It got its name because of the special shape and operating principle, the fastener is disclosed on the reverse side of the drywall sheet, and thus it reliably fixes any design on the surface, one element can withstand up to 16 kg, so there is no point in worrying about the reliability.
Boleshka-dowel is designed specifically for hollow structures
Let’s understand what we need for the work. For convenience, the information is presented in the form of a table.
| Necessary materials and equipment | How to use |
| Dowels | Their number is calculated simply: you count how many mounting holes in the eaves, and buy the same number of dowels, plus one in reserve just in case. If butterflies are sold without screws, then additionally buy metal screws with a thickness of 3.5-4.5 mm and a length of 55 mm, this option provides the most secure attachment |
| The drill | With its help we will make holes for fasteners, it is necessary to have at hand a drill with a diameter of 10 mm. It’s better to use version on metal, such tooling goes through without problems and plasterboard, and metal profile, if it will be on the way |
| Screwdriver or electric screwdriver with nozzle | To fix the fastener, you screw in the screw until the dowel hits the surface on the opposite side. To work, you can use both an electric screwdriver and a regular screwdriver, as for the nozzle type, it depends on the type of screws used, most often it is PH2 or PZ2 |
It is best to fix the cornice after painting the surface, it will simplify the work, and the design will look much neater.
This is how the fastener looks like from the back side in a tightened state. everything is very secure
Let’s understand how to fasten the ledge to the drywall using dowels-butterfly dowels. You can easily do the installation with your own hands according to this simple scheme:
The work process consists of these steps
- Before you begin, be sure to assemble the cornice, without this installation can not be done, since to calculate all the distances and the position of the fasteners by eye even a professional can not;
- The ledge is carefully attached to the surface and aligned relatively to the walls. When the optimal position is determined, you can proceed to the marking work, take a pencil or any other device, and through the holes on the drywall circles are drawn in the future anchor points. Make sure that in the process of work the ledge does not move;
- Drilling holes doesn’t present any difficulties, the material is easy to handle and usually the whole process takes a couple of minutes. Do everything carefully and hold the tool vertically, so that the holes do not turn out skewed or shifted;
When drilling gypsum board forms a lot of debris, so as not to litter the room, you can use a little tiphack. just put a cup on the drill bit, as shown in the photo, and your room will be clean even after the end of work.
A simple solution will save you from cleaning up after work
- Before you screw on the ledge, we need to install dowels. Here everything is quite simple: take a butterfly, squeeze the protrusions. Then the element is inserted into the hole to the stop and lightly hammered, the protrusions at the bottom of the support washer prevent the fastener from scrolling when it is tightened;
Secure with glue
This method can be used if you want to fasten decorative cornices. The procedure consists of the following steps:
- Trimming the rung to the size of the room. For accurate trimming, it is better to use a chair or a prepared template made of cardboard.
- Finishing drywall with ceiling primer. It will promote better adhesion to the adhesive.
- Applying adhesive to the product and fixing it to the ceiling or wall.
After the glue dries, the process is finished, and you can be sure that the construction is firmly held.
Electronic curtain track
A device from the category of more modern technology, which has an electric motor. Curtains on the perimeter of the curtain move automatically. Actuation is based on a button.
Electrically powered curtain track differs from the conventional one in that it has a motor and a curtain control system placed inside the profile rail
Install such a ledge can be both on the wall and on the ceiling
The bar is suitable for apartments with high ceilings, holds dense, weighty curtains. The main disadvantage of such a device is considered difficult to repair due to breakage. The price level is significantly higher than other curtains.
Stretch
Very fragile equipment, not able to hold heavy drapes. They make such curtains of plastic, and for fasteners they choose ropes. Recommended for tulle in small rooms. The device is easy to install and they are quite inexpensive.
Stretch curtain rod requires a rigid base at the points of attachment, so its use on drywall constructions is possible only with the strengthening of the base, which is discussed below in the article
Creating a wide box on two profiles
In most cases, a frame on one profile is quite enough. However, some people like to give pomp to their room. But in most cases, it is thanks to a large box that you can make a cornice from plasterboard with lighting. Let’s consider how such a cornice is created and how the lighting is made.
The ceiling is attached to the guiding ceiling profile (it is also made of the bottom part of the frame), and the crosspieces are made of mullion profiles. Both frames are assembled in the same way as in the case of the box on a single profile. Only with plasterboard so far nothing needs to be covered. The result should be two identical structures, each of which is a rectangle with ribs along its entire length inside.
Ideally, all elements of the metal frame should be assembled, and then clad with gypsum plasterboard
Everyone chooses the distance between the frames based on their own beliefs. For lintel spacing should be within 30-50 cm. When both structures are completely fastened, they are lined with gypsum board.
The box on two profiles comes out weighty, so it should be thought about at the stage of fixing the profiles for false ceilings. For the future framework under the eaves need to lay two rails, which will be attached to the future structure.
On laying the profiles at the stage of formation of a framework for the ceiling of plasterboard and the further creation of the cornice for curtains you can see in the video.
Those wishing to make a ledge of plasterboard with lighting should think about this point at the stage of creating a false ceiling. The fact that the lights need electricity, which is brought by wires in advance. All wiring is done at the stage of installation of the suspended ceiling.
A special sleeve is used for the cable to be led, to protect it from moisture and mechanical damage. To prevent it from dangling, the cable is attached by special clamps to the ceiling. The cable is led to the line where the frame will be. Then the ceiling is covered with plasterboard, and in the place of the future duct for plasterboard curtain rails a hole is made through which the cable is pulled. It is now in a box.
The width of the ledge should depend on the size of the lighting fixtures
Next, the wiring is done, and the wires are led to the places where the lights will be installed. Holes are made in the plasterboard for the lights, which are installed in them and connected to electricity. It is convenient to make lighting in this way when one or two sides of the box are not yet covered with gypsum plasterboard. Therefore, the ledge is usually made large, so it was convenient to work, and there was room for wires and lights.
The choice of techniques for attaching the eaves
Which of the methods to use when installing curtain rails on drywall will depend on the specific situation.
- To lay wooden battens at the finishing stage of the room.
- Using dowels in case the drywall sheets are mounted directly to the loadbearing wall with mounting glue.
What rules to follow in each specific situation, and how to fix the cornice on drywall, selecting the right materials?
Hanging the curtain rails with embedded
Regardless of the type of eaves under curtains (ceiling or wall) can greatly simplify the fastening still at the stage of finishing the walls with sheets of drywall. To do this, you need to lay wooden tabs in the frame.
Placement of the embedment
They are made from slats or bars of the appropriate section, but it is worth observing a few rules:
- the wood should be well dried and treated against external influences (by painting, varnishing or impregnation);
- the cross-section of the embedded timber must be appropriate for the weight of the future fastening element;
- fix the wooden lath not too deep into the frame, so that the future fasteners can be securely fixed in the embedding, and the sheet of gypsum plaster not sag under the fasteners;
- Be sure to choose the correct fastening material for the lath itself. For example, in gas and foam concrete blocks standard plastic dowel will not provide a rigid fixing, for this use the so-called “crocodiles”, if the beam is quite heavy, it is worth using anchors.
After embedding slats have been installed, the frame is lined with plasterboard, marking the embedding slats location on the scheme.
Mounting cornices on drywall with these tabs will not be difficult, and you can use standard screws of the required length, combining them with dowels, if such a need arises.
To hang the curtain track in this way make a mark on the ceiling or wall, and at the points of attachment mount brackets curtain tracks using a screwdriver or an electric screwdriver.
Fixing the ledge to the supporting walls
Today it is quite common to use gypsum plasterboard sheets for finishing walls in a frameless way. In this case, the individual elements of the plasterboard are fixed with gypsum assembly glue, with a small amount of self-tapping screws. In this case the distance of the surface of the sheet will be minimal from the load-bearing wall, and therefore you can apply a classic method of hanging curtain rails.
Classic fastening of the ledge
To do this work will need to choose the fastening material.
It is important to choose the right type of dowel for the wall material!
Fastening is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- First make a marking on the surface of the trim.
- Drill holes at the fixing points. It should be done in one step, so as not to damage the surface on the drywall.
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Next, dowels are hammered in, and the eaves bracket is placed on them, securing it with a self-tapping screw. Tightening the screw, do not push hard, and press it to the surface, otherwise you can damage the gypsum board itself.
In this case, the fastener will perform two functions, in addition to the cornice itself, it will provide additional fixation of the sheet finish.
Fastening the ledge directly on the drywall
However, often the surface of the finish can be located at a considerable distance from the bearing wall, the standard methods of attachment are not suitable. They simply press through the cardboard sheet, and do not provide a proper fixation.
In such a case, you can attach the ledge to the drywall using special fasteners.
- Bayonet dowels. The arrangement of such fasteners is as follows. When screwing the screw under the surface of the drywall, the “wings” of the dowel open, they rest against the surface, thereby distributing the pressure on the material. Butterflies can be used for hanging light curtain rods on the ceiling of drywall, or nonheavy wall options.
- Drifts. Such a dowel has a screw thread on its surface, and when screwing it in, its sides securely grip the sheet. Using this fastening material you can install not too massive curtain rails.
- Dowel-mole. This is the most reliable way to fix the ceiling cornice on the drywall or any wall version. Each dowel is designed for a load of up to 25 kg, and will withstand even heavy decorative elements hung on the wall.
Sequence of screwing in a dowel-butterfly However, there are some subtleties when using special fasteners for drywall surfaces.
Using dowel-butterfly initially necessary to drill a hole of the appropriate diameter according to the markings. It is important not to flatten the walls, that is, it is necessary to drill in one step without unnecessary movements with the drill.
In the resulting hole insert a plastic dowel, and hang the bracket, screwing the screw.
Drifts can be of two types with or without a drill. In the first version of this dowel is mounted without drilling drywall, using a cross-shaped attachment to an electric screwdriver. If you drill the dowel without a drill bit, you must attach it as follows. Drill a hole 6 mm in diameter, expose the dowel, and screw it with a Phillips head.
When the dowel is installed, fix the brackets of the cornice, using the appropriate self-drilling screw.
How to attach the dowel rod
Dowel-mole installed with pre-drilling the holes according to the markings. It is important not to damage the walls of the well for the future fastener. Before installation, you need to slightly bend the walls of the wall plug with a knife, and unscrew the bolt. After that a metal dowel is inserted into the hole, and on top there is a bracket for the ledge, which is fixed with a bolt. Screw in the fastener until it locks.
How to avoid mistakes
You have received general information on how to attach the ledge to the drywall on the supporting wall and ceiling.
To do everything correctly, you need to carefully study the technology and the possibilities of fasteners. On this knowledge and should be relied upon in the performance of the work.
Once the ledge is in place, you can hang the curtains.
Glue fastening
This variant is used, when it is necessary to hang polyurethane or PVC ledges on the drywall, which have a decorative purpose. In this case, the technology will consist of the following steps:
- Selection of glue. To attach the plastic ceiling cornice to plasterboard, you must use mounting adhesive “liquid nails” or acrylic-based glue;
- Then it is necessary to well clean and primed the surface of the GPB in the place of the intended attachment of the eaves;
- Apply the glue to the curtain track and hold it against the wall or ceiling. When the glue dries, the ledge will hold firmly enough.
It is worth noting that this method is not suitable for hanging heavy curtains, so let’s find out how to attach the cornice to the ceiling of drywall, if it will have not only decorative value.
Type of foundation
Cornices can be installed on the ceiling, window opening or wall. The base for installation can be hard and strong (stone or wood materials) or fragile. For example, the right answer to the question of how to attach the cornice to the ceiling plasterboard, without specific knowledge is impossible. The same can be said in those cases where the final alignment of the walls is carried out by sheets of gypsum plasterboard.
Fix a curtain or curtain track on it is very difficult. Such work requires a certain tool, special fasteners, knowledge of the subtleties and the sequence of operations.
Standard options for attaching cornices to the ceiling or walls, in such cases, may not be suitable, due to their lack of functionality. But, if the above conditions are met, fixing the cornice on drywall becomes an operation quite accessible for independent performance to persons who have no special training.