Books have been written about how to put up curtains. But what most of us want to know is how to put them up so that they stay up.

Should it be a pole or a track?
Plastic track, which comes in a variety of styles, with hooks to attach to curtain, is the traditional (and cheapest) option. It is the easiest — but not most stylish — way to hang curtains in curved bay windows.

Curtain poles, in brass, wood, brushed steel etc, are the most popular choice. Poles can be cut; connectors to cope with the curves or angles of your window set-up are available but are usually expensive.

Warning: tension-wire systems look sleek and modern, but are not suitable for heavy fabrics.







In pole position
Curtains are hung on poles by rings, by tabs (hence tab-tops), by clips or through eyelets. To fix a pole, first decide how high above the window you want it to be. Curtain purists say that you should allow at least 8cm from the top of the window, to prevent the messy back of the curtain showing to the world.

The bracket that holds the pole in place usually has a metal plate with screw holes. Mark the wall to correspond with these holes, drill the wall, and put plugs into the drilled holes. These will give the fixing screws a tighter fit — which will be needed when the pole is laden with curtain. A long pole will require at least one extra bracket in the middle for support. Place a hook, clip or ring between the end bracket and the finial to keep the curtain in place.







Let's make tracks instead...
A track takes the weight of the curtain all along. Because of this, the small screws attaching it to the wall have to carry a lot of weight. Too much and they will come out. If, however, your walls are especially solid, it will be nigh on impossible to actually get the screws in. So put up a wooden batten (of planed timber about 75mm x 25mm) first.

Secure the batten with strong and long screws or, on solid walls, super-strong construction glue such as Gripfill Gap-Filling Adhesive (£2.29 for 350ml, www.tooled-up.com). Then fix your track on the batten with screws, using the brackets supplied. Paint it to match your wall.







It's a hanging matter now
If your curtains have heading tape at the top, draw the threads up to achieve gathers. Put one curtain up and adjust the threads until the curtain is halfway across the pole or the track. Tie the threads loosely together. Then repeat with the other curtain. This ensures that the curtains will meet in the middle when closed.







Hooking up
Hooks and rings are usually supplied with the track or pole. Buy extra. You will need at least one per 10cm of curtain fabric. Curtains hang better with a generous number. And when the weight is as evenly spaced as possible large, heavy curtains are less likely to make the track sag or pull the pole down.



Webwatch

www.polesdirect.com - wide variety of curtain poles, including several for bay windows.

www.sanderson-online.co.uk and www.gbinteriors.co.uk - made-to-measure poles.

www.alternative-windows.com - everything you ever wanted to know about curtains and hanging them.

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