How to properly hang a ceiling curtain
Curtains fill the room with a special atmosphere of family warmth and comfort. And it is very important not only to choose the right color and design of curtains, but also to carefully approach the choice of the curtain rod. Often, thanks to him and the correct fastening, even the most ordinary curtains look elegant and creative. In addition, ceiling curtains can support more weight than wall curtains. This means that if your design includes heavy curtains, you cannot do without a ceiling curtain.
Design features
A ceiling curtain is a device thanks to which you can effectively decorate a window opening with curtains. Its name - "ceiling" - it received for the method of attachment to the ceiling. Today, a huge assortment of all kinds of variations of this interior element is available. They vary in style, material, size, and so on.
Of particular interest are the design features of the curtains. The installation method also depends on them.
Depending on the appearance of the structure, ceiling curtains are divided into:
- Profile. They represent an aluminum or plastic tire with a groove for runners. Such curtains are ideal for rooms with complex geometric shapes, as well as for bay windows. The profile can be bent not only at right angles, but even have a rounded shape. Today it is the most common curtain option. Optionally supplemented with self-adhesive tape for easy fastening of lambrequins, as well as a mechanism for raising and extending curtains.
- Strings. This is the simplest version of the curtain, it can have one or more strings of fishing line or wire. Also included are fasteners that stretch the strings under the ceiling. The main drawback of the design is the inability to hang heavy curtains, since the line does not hold up and sags in the middle.
- Round. A set of such curtains consists of a rod (wooden, plastic, metal) and fasteners. Such a model will not only withstand any weight, but will also become an effective addition to the interior design.
- Baguette. The range of such curtains is simply amazing. They are already a work of art in themselves. The main decorative element is a special bar that covers the bar and brings a zest to the interior design. This design easily withstands multi-layer heavy curtain models.
Installing curtains
The process of installing a curtain is not so difficult, the main thing is that you have the necessary tools at hand:
- Roulette, ruler, pencil. The more accurate the calculations are, the better the result will be.
- Perforator, grinder or drill. Usually these tools are needed when the curtain is to be attached to a concrete ceiling.
- Screwdriver (if not, a regular screwdriver will do). Needed for tightening the fasteners.
- Liquid Nails.This "tool" is required in exceptional cases when you can do without the classic fasteners.
- Instruction. As a rule, it is included in every curtain set.
Actions may differ depending on the design of the curtain, as well as on the material of the ceiling. And yet, the main thing is the correct markup. If you plan to mount a curtain for a single window, then 40 cm on each side should be added to the dimensions of the window. If 2 curtains are installed on two windows that are located next to each other, then you need to add 30 cm to the size of each window. The cornice should be removed the same distance from each side.
Installation on a concrete ceiling
Installation of a ceiling curtain on a concrete ceiling is done as follows. After the necessary markings have been made, holes are made in the ceiling with a punch and a drill in increments of no more than 60 cm.This distance can be slightly adjusted, depending on the length of the curtain, as well as on the weight of the curtains: the heavier the curtains, the smaller the step should be ...
Now is the time to prepare the curtain itself for work. It should have holes at the same distance as in the ceiling. If your model is made of plastic, then the holes will have to be drilled independently, but in wooden and metal curtains, as a rule, there are already holes.
You can start installation. First, the structure is attached with dowel-nails, using a screwdriver or screwdriver. At the final stage, the runners are put in place and the plugs are attached.
Quite often, curtains are installed using liquid nails. This method is especially relevant for panel houses. In this case, it is very important to glue evenly and also take into account the weight of the curtains. Although, according to the manufacturer, Moment liquid nails are capable of withstanding a load of 90 kg per 1 square centimeter.
An important nuance: if you are attaching baguette curtains, then it is better to attach a decorative patch on the front side of the tire before installing it on the ceiling.
Installation of curtains on a plasterboard suspended ceiling
The question of how to hang a ceiling curtain on a suspended ceiling is asked by many. Immediately, we note that suspended ceilings are not the most suitable place for such an installation. So, even at the stage of repair work, make sure that a small niche is left between the window and the canvas of the suspended ceiling in order to attach the hidden curtain. In this case, the curtain will be attached directly to the ceiling. Another detail: in the place of the planned fixing of the curtain, you can pre-install a metal profile or a wooden beam. After the work on the ceiling is completed, the curtain is attached to the timber directly through the drywall.
However, it so happens that the decision to attach the ceiling curtain is made after the ceiling work has been completed. How to be in this case?
There are two options for solving the problem:
- Use a special butterfly dowel. It is fixed in the same way as a regular dowel: they make a hole in the drywall, insert the dowel, tighten the screw. In the process of tightening the screw, the dowel begins to open, and thanks to the shape of the volumetric "butterfly", the fastening is more reliable. And yet, despite such a design feature, with such an installation, it is not recommended to hang heavy curtains on the curtains.
- The second option is more reliable and suitable for those who prefer multi-level curtain designs. Use a concrete anchor when fixing the bar. To do this, you need a drill with a long drill. A hole is made through the drywall in the base ceiling with a depth of at least 5 cm, and with the help of an anchor the curtain is attached to the ceiling through the drywall. Important: for the fastening to be reliable, the length of the anchor must be greater than the thickness of the ceiling by the depth of the hole.
Installation of curtains on a stretch ceiling
An important clarification: installation of a ceiling curtain on a stretch ceiling is not possible. If the ceiling is already stretched, then you just have to be content with a wall curtain. And if you foresee the installation of the ceiling cornice in advance, then you can implement one of two options.
Before installing the stretch ceiling, make the appropriate markings and install the fixing bar. And after the ceiling work is completed, the curtain is attached to the timber through the stretched canvas.
The second option is to install a hidden curtain. To do this, it is necessary to make the markup even before starting the installation of the ceiling covering. Having retreated the distance necessary for the curtain, screw a wooden beam to the ceiling. The baguette for mounting the canvas will be attached to it. As a result, a hidden niche is formed between the ceiling sheet and the window for installing the cornice.
Assembling the ceiling curtain
This process does not require serious knowledge and skills. If the curtain is made in the form of a tire, then the entire assembly is carried out during the installation of the structure. If the standard length is not enough for you, grow it with the same tire. After installing the curtain, runners and plugs along the edges are inserted into it.
If the cornice is made in the form of a rod, then the brackets are first fixed. After installing the first bracket, a rod is inserted into it, and rings with runners are put on, and then the rod is attached to the second bracket. Finally, plugs are installed on the sides.
How to remove the curtain
So, how to remove the curtain installed earlier. The procedure is as follows:
- Stand on a steady stepladder.
- Remove the curtains. If possible, remove them along with the sliders, this will speed up the process.
- Remove the side curvatures (usually they are fixed with retaining screws, which must first be unscrewed).
- Loosen the screws one by one on each side until there is only one central screw left.
- Loosen the center screw slowly while holding the eaves.
When choosing curtains, pay particular attention to the indicators of reliability and strength. There should be some margin. In other words, the curtain must be ready to support a little more weight than the curtains themselves. Indeed, during operation, someone can pull the curtain with a little more effort.
According to experts, the most reliable ceiling curtain designs are fastened directly to the base ceiling with an anchor. And the most unreliable options are string curtains. Very often they are not able to withstand even a lot of curtains and sag ugly in the middle. And besides aesthetic problems, this creates inconvenience in operation.
Installation of ceiling curtains is a serious process, but even a beginner can handle such work. With the necessary tools and instructions, you can install curtains beautifully and reliably.
Video: installation of the ceiling cornice