How to Hang Heavy Curtains on Drywall

Heavy curtains consist of blackout lining, interlining and thick drapery fabric. They have been found to add extra elegance and class to any home.

The thermal curtains are often made of heavier material. Such as polyester or cotton.

Due to their thickness, they can give your home extra insulation.  Especially during the cold season. As well as be used to put the finishing touches on your home.

Curtains are a great way to enlighten a room. Being that they are available in a variety of styles. You get creative liberty.

They are also multipurpose. Beginning with the privacy they provide. Then giving you control of the amount of lighting in a room. While benefiting from the color, texture, and style of the curtains.

The way your windows are covered or not. It will help set the design tone of your home.

When selecting curtains, you have a variety of hanging styles. Sometimes plasterboard can’t take the weight of heavy curtains.

The tools you will need when putting up the curtain include the mounting brackets with the set screws. These are what will hold the curtain rod in place.

You will also need knobs at the end of your curtain rods to keep your curtain in place. A power drill will make the process easier.

A measuring tape and a pencil will be needed. For measuring the width of your window and the curtain rods. While marking the areas to put in screws.

Measuring will ensure you get the correct curtains and rods.

Not forgetting the wall anchors. Which will ensure the curtain doesn’t fall. As well as following any instructions that the curtain rod will come with.

To determine the rod’s length, measure the window’s width. Then add eight to twelve inches. 

The rod you choose when hanging heavy curtains. It plays a key role in ensuring the curtains look as good as they should.

Begin by weighing the curtains. Then divide the weight by the required rod width. This will help you determine the weight per foot ratio, aiding you in choosing a rod.

Each curtain panel should be at least as wide as your window. Measure from the spot you plan to hang the rod to the floor. 

To know the length of the curtain. Add more length if you want the curtains to pool. They create a good aesthetic.

Then put in the pole bracket. Use a pencil to mark the drill holes for your brackets. Each bracket should be placed at your predetermined height.

Here you will divide the rod width by the number of brackets minus 1. To get the number of inches between the brackets.

Extend about 4-6 inches from the side of the window frame. So that the curtains are fully open.

When putting the curtain rod, it should be a little above the windows. As well as slightly longer than the length of the curtain.

You can also use a rod embedded on a wood track. You will need a stud finder to see if your brackets line up with studs.

In case they don’t, install wall anchors after drilling holes. To create support for the curtains

The curtains should be able to cover your whole window. Plus, a little bit extra. 

Wall anchors are not as effective while hanging heavy things. Because they get tousled a lot. So they either pull out of the wall or fail. 

The concept behind wall anchors is the piece that goes into the drywall and its fins that open up and hold against the drywall.

Once you put your screw in to install, you will use a drill that is slightly smaller than the anchor. Then drill a hole and install the anchor.

You can hang your item of choice with the anchor without a stud. Be cautious of the weight.

Instead of wall anchors, incorporate a mounting plate. This is the second piece of wood attached to the wall. It bridges two studs. Thereby making a continuous mounting surface.

Studs are only found every 16-24 inches. So it’s unlikely there would be one everywhere you want to put a bracket.

To make up for this, put molly bolts into the wall. To support the screw instead of a stud. 

You will need molly bolts for most of your brackets in a house with drywall. They usually come with the curtain rod.

However, older houses have plaster walls supported by strips of wood. If you drill your hole and hit it. You won’t need a molly bolt. Screw straight into it.

If you can’t reach any studs while installing the brackets. You will need to install drywall anchors.

Drywall anchors grip your screws in the drywall, making them more secure.

Heavy curtains need a strong anchor. So you will need to attach the curtain rod brackets directly to the studs of the wall.

The location of the rod will depend on the location of the studs. As well as the height at which you will hang your windows.

Different curtains will have different hanging methods. So examine your curtain to determine how it should hang on the curtain rod.

It’s easy to assume that a larger rod is stronger. As well as less likely to bend.

However, it’s not the rod size but the thickness and the weight of the curtains. That will determine whether the rod bends.

Always test the brackets’ sturdiness by gently tugging on the ends of the curtains. To see if they will fall.

Instead of drilling in the walls. You can use command hooks to hang the curtains. You will need a third hook if your window is wider than 30 inches.

After measuring the curtains. Mark the wall where each hook would adhere. Peel off the command strip adhesive and apply it to the hook.

Press the command hook to the wall for at least 30 seconds. Then repeat with the other hook.

Wait at least 30 minutes before hanging your curtains.

However, command hooks can only be used with thin curtain rods. Also, it can’t hold more than 71/2 pounds of curtains.

They can also only be applied to flat walls. Neither can it be used over wallpaper.

Their durability is not as good as that of Kwik-hang curtain rod brackets. Their revolutionary bracket design takes minutes to install.

It requires zero measurements as well as doesn’t damage your wall. Moreover, they can hold up to 20 pounds of curtains.

All you have to do is to tap them in with a hammer. And they are good to go. They will not leave holes in the wall if you remove the bracket.

However, it can only be used on framed windows.

For decorative curtains on windows that don’t need to be adjusted frequently. Use coat hooks. You will be surprised at how versatile they can be.

Determine how many hooks you will need to hang your curtains. Measure the height to accommodate the curtains. Then mark how far apart your hooks will be for even distribution.

Carefully screw the coat hooks into your wall. Then loop the curtain holes onto the hooks. They do not require you to drill holes.

A double curtain rod is very similar in design to a single curtain rod. However, it allows you to layer more than one layer of the curtain.

Double curtain rods come in a set of two, with the back rod being slightly shorter in length than the first.

So what are some of the tips to consider while hanging curtains?

When hanging the curtains, raise the curtain rod higher. It will make the windows seem taller. While giving the illusion that you have higher ceilings.

The rod should be halfway to ⅔ rds up. Between the top of your window frame and the ceiling. If you have crown molding hang it ¾ inch below it.

Ideally, you want to ensure the rod is about 4-6 inches wider. As compared to the outer frame of your window. This will ensure you are not suffocating your window by having a rod that’s too narrow.

In order not to block natural light. Curtains from heavy materials can block light. The extra space will provide room for the curtains when they are open.

Try hanging the curtains closer to the ceiling. This will immediately create the illusion of ceiling height curtains since your vision is elongated.

Find a design of curtains that won’t go out of style. You could opt to sew multiple fabrics together for a customized look. Or adding tape trim for a unique pattern gives the curtain a modern edge.

Curtains are quite expensive if bought regularly.

The length of the curtain should just touch the floor. Or end an inch above. When cut too short, the curtains don’t look like they fit.

If your curtains are straight out of the package. Iron out the creases and wrinkles.

In some cases, it may be easier to rely on the experience and knowledge of the experts.