Windows that are not covered with curtains create the effect of some kind of incompleteness, or even “coldness” of the room. Perhaps this is acceptable in a strict office, but in your home or apartment you want a more comfortable environment. Therefore, curtains in the vast majority of cases are considered as one of the key elements of interior decoration of rooms. And if you do not take into account exotic types of window drapery, such as roller or Roman blinds or all kinds of blinds, then what remains is a standard, decades-tested “set” of light translucent curtains for daylight hours, and thick curtains drawn at night.
How to hang a ceiling curtain - several options for different occasions
But to hang any curtains, you need to have special curtain rods. These curtain rods can be attached to both the wall and the ceiling. In our time, ceiling curtains are more in demand, since with them the curtains look much more beautiful, almost completely breaking up the space near the window from top to bottom, without significant clearance from above, and often without it at all. And now – a small “linguistic nuance”. According to orographic dictionaries of the Russian language, light curtains are called curtains. But it just so happened that this name somehow “migrated” to their suspension system, that is, to the cornices. And when asking the search query “how to hang a ceiling curtain,” the user in the vast majority of cases expects recommendations specifically for installing a ceiling cornice. Let’s not be picky, we understood the task at hand, and we will try to reveal it in detail in this publication.
Types of cornices
Curtain rods can be classified according to different criteria. For example, there are ceiling and wall curtain rods, curtain rods for sliding and lifting curtains, etc.
Among the variety of curtain rods for sliding curtains, the following types can be distinguished: multi-row profile curtain rods (aluminum and plastic), rod curtain rods and string curtain rods. Accordingly, the chosen type of cornice also determines the method of attaching curtains to it.
In this article we will look at all the ways to attach curtains to a round curtain rod.
Rings with hooks
Rings with hooks were especially popular before profile ceiling cornices appeared on the market, but even now this method of fastening is still common. The hooks simply cling to the loops on the curtain tape. Why hide a beautiful, textured cornice? Enhance its beauty with classic ring curtains.
Rings with clips
Rings may not be equipped with hooks, but with small clips (the so-called “crocodile clips”). This fastening method is suitable for curtains made of light fabrics, because... the clips will not support the weight of heavy curtains. This is a very attractive solution for a cozy kitchen, where the windows will be decorated with thin curtains or cafe curtains. When removing and hanging curtains, you must be careful so that the teeth of the clips do not accidentally damage the fabric.
Loops
Loops can be of different widths, configurations and colors; they can be unfastened (with buttons, snaps, Velcro) or, on the contrary, “deaf” (when both ends of the loop are attached to the curtain). According to the design idea, they can be made from a fabric different from curtains (for example, in a contrasting color) or decorated with additional elements - bows, artificial flowers, etc.
Elegant loops will become the highlight of the simplest curtains; you don’t even have to cover such beauty with a lambrequin. Otherwise, the loops can be disguised by sewing them on the wrong side of the fabric.
Ties
Strips of fabric from which curtains are sewn are used as ties, as well as all kinds of ribbons, laces, and strings. Depending on how the knot or bow is tied, the curtains will look romantic, touching, or, on the contrary, deliberately careless. This method is especially good for attaching thin light-colored curtains, plain or with a floral print.
Eyelets
Eyelets are round holes equidistant from each other in the upper part of the fabric, reinforced with special metal or plastic rings. The cornice passes through these holes. The eyelets look quite aesthetically pleasing, are not conspicuous, and help to form neat, even folds on the curtains. Curtains with eyelets are especially appropriate in a simple, modern interior.
Kuliska
The drawstring hides a significant part of the cornice, because the rod goes right through the sleeve at the top of the curtains, and in the photo you can see the drawstring with a small frill at the top. Drawstring curtains are universal; they will fit into almost any interior.
So, all the described methods of attaching curtains will be useful in cases where you want to leave the cornice in sight. In conclusion, I would like to say that an elegant wooden or, for example, forged cornice with carved tips and brackets needs to be correctly played out and accentuated. When used in the appropriate style direction, such a bright detail will only add charm and truthfulness to the created interior.
We started the topic of attaching curtains in the first part of the article, where we looked at such methods as ties, loops, eyelets and rings. However, there are many more options, and today we will talk about the rest, analyzing their stylistic affiliation and pros and cons from the point of view of practical use.
Content:
How to hang a ceiling curtain yourself
In this section of the publication, the main attention will be focused on the installation of tire profile cornices. And this is quite easy to explain
String or rod ceiling cornices are attached with precision. That is, in certain places, usually slightly to the left and right of the window, brackets (racks, hangers) are mounted to the ceiling. Sometimes, if the cornice is very long, a third bracket is added - in the place where the curtains or drapes to be drawn will meet. Then all the “equipment”, that is, a crossbar or a cable (fishing line), is suspended from these brackets. Very often, such brackets have a decorative shape, and visual concealment of fastening elements is provided - plugs, caps, etc. But the principle itself is the same.
With the tire cornice, things are somewhat different. The fundamental difference is that the structure is first assembled on the floor, then raised to the ceiling and attached to it in finished form. All that remains is to put on the hooks and install the plugs (unless, of course, the master did not do this right away, which is more reasonable) - and after that you can hang the drapery.
Such cornices are suitable for the vast majority of types of ceilings, including those that combine very well with suspended ones. Moreover, with tension ones, several options for “coexistence” are possible at once. We'll talk about all this below.
In the meantime, first of all, let’s take a closer look at the design of the plastic profile tire curtain rod.
A few words about the design of a profile ceiling cornice
To make it easier to explain the installation procedure, it makes sense to recall the structure of a profile ceiling cornice - its most common type, in the form of a flat plastic tire. Models from different manufacturers may have differences in nuances, but the general principle still remains unchanged.
| Illustration | Part name and necessary explanations. |
| The double-row tire is perhaps the most popular among other varieties. Allows you to hang two levels of curtains, for example, heavy curtains for covering windows at night, and light tulle curtains for the day. The length of a standard tire is usually 2500 mm, but in some models it can vary in one direction or the other. It can be easily cut to the required size, and if it is necessary to use a longer cornice, the tires can be easily spliced using special adapter inserts. As a rule, mounting holes are located in the center of the bus with a pitch of usually 500 mm for mounting to the ceiling. If desired or necessary, it is easy to drill such holes in the right place yourself. The dimensions of this part (like all others in the proposed table) are indicated using the example of one model. But you can find others on sale, again, both thicker and wider, and vice versa. | |
| The tire is three-row - the only difference is the presence of an additional guide for hooks, which increases the size in width. Otherwise, everything said in the cell above applies to it. Naturally, three rows of guides provide owners with more imagination in decorating window openings with curtains. | |
| The rotating element (corner) allows you to make the previously mentioned end of the cornice rounded towards the wall. The corners are left and right - and there is no interchangeability here, since the parts have clamps for connecting to the bus. When joining a straight strip and a corner, the guide grooves for moving the suspension hooks completely coincide. In the center of the bend, as a rule, there is also a mounting hole for fastening. | |
| The same, but in a three-row design. | |
| Decorative facade strip, called a baguette or hood. Well hides the area where curtains and light curtains are hung on hooks. It is attached to the front side of the tire, for which a “locking pair” is provided in the form of protrusions and grooves (different models may have their own characteristics). Most often it comes to stores in coils and is sold by the meter. Flexible, able to freely follow the bends of the assembled tire. The buyer can be offered various design options for the blend (baguette). | |
| End caps - to “lock” all the grooves and cavities along the edges of the assembled cornice. An optional part in some kits, but with plugs the appearance is better, and the design will be easier to clean from dust. | |
| Stoppers – are installed in guide grooves to set the boundaries of movement of curtains. They are inserted from the outside onto an already mounted cornice, in the right place, according to the owners. A completely different form (and even principle of operation) of such stoppers is also possible, but figuring it out is not difficult. | |
| Hooks for hanging curtains. On the left is a hook equipped with miniature rollers, on the right - with a head that simply moves along a guide groove. Based on experience of use and reviews, roller blinds are easier to “manage,” but stationary curtains sometimes begin to jam. This is not the only form of hooks - there are others, which are also easy to figure out. Very often (but not always) the required number of hooks is immediately included in the kit of the cornice. If not, you will have to buy more individually. |
Installation of ceiling curtains on a hard ceiling
Several ceiling options are possible here - a reinforced concrete ceiling, a wooden ceiling lining and a suspended structure, in which plasterboard sheets are most often used to create a ceiling plane. Installation of the cornice in all cases will be approximately the same - the main difference will lie in the fasteners used.
How to hang a profile cornice on a reinforced concrete ceiling
Perhaps one of the most common cases. If only because the majority of city residents live in multi-storey buildings, where such floors completely predominate.
Let's look at the installation of such a cornice using an example - step by step.
| Illustration | Brief description of the operation performed |
| We have to install this cornice on the ceiling. It is still in the package, sealed in film. But it is already clear that the model is two-row. The mounting hole through which the structure will be attached to the ceiling is very clearly visible. | |
| The apartment owners decided to install a cornice with rotating sections towards the wall. Therefore, in addition to the tire itself, a set of corners was purchased - with a left and right part. | |
| Flexible decorative tape - the hood was purchased by the meter, taking into account the length of the tire and the rounded side sections. It is recommended to always take with a small reserve - it is not expensive, but it can come in handy. | |
| The purchased set of parts is complemented by plugs that will cover the mounting holes, hooks for hanging curtains and a stopper, which were described above. | |
| This illustration clearly shows the principle of connecting the main busbar to the rotating part (angle). There are guide protrusions on the corner that should fit into the grooves of the tire. | |
| Then all that remains is to carefully push the corner towards the bus until there is a characteristic click - and the parts will receive a fairly reliable connection, taking into account the fact that they will all be fixed to the same plane. | |
| And this illustration clearly demonstrates how in this model of cornice a decorative hood is attached to the rail. It (the hood) has a groove with two sides turned towards each other. It is between these sides that the guide protrusion of the tire should fit - it exactly matches the dimensions and geometry of the groove. It seems simple - but there are nuances... | |
| There are models in which simply squeezing the force of the hand is enough to connect the hood to the tire - the decorative strip is fixed with its groove on the protrusion of the eaves with a click. | |
| But in the example demonstrated, this will not work. You have to run the edges of the tape onto the tire groove from the end and then pull it along the entire length. To do this, the corner parts of the tire must be removed for now - threading the tape through the turning section and stretching it along the entire length of the cornice, and even with a second turn, is an almost impossible task. | |
| Even on a long straight section, sometimes you have to resort to “forceful methods” - carefully push the tire along the belt using a rubber hammer with gentle, directed blows. | |
| After this application, there should be enough tape left on both sides of the tire to cover the turning areas. This is why it is recommended to take a lens hood with a small margin, so as not to make a mistake. It is on these free areas of the hood that the corner elements are placed one by one with a groove... | |
| ...and, putting on the tape, gradually move towards the main tire... | |
| ...where then the parts are joined together, as shown above, but with a decorative strip. | |
| Here is the assembly for joining the strip and the corner in assembled form. It is probably clear that all these actions should be carried out on the “ground”, before attaching the cornice to the ceiling. Installing such a decorative tape on an already assembled and installed cornice is hardly a feasible task. | |
| Since there was extra decorative tape, there will be a small excess at both ends. They can be cut off either immediately or after installing the end caps - this will make it more accurate. | |
| For example, the master is installing a plug, but for now he left a reserve of decorative strip, simply cutting it at an angle so that it does not interfere with installation. | |
| But here the plug is already installed - and you can cut the bar perfectly exactly along the resulting smooth end. Similar actions, of course, are carried out at the opposite end of the cornice. The cornice can be considered practically assembled, and you can proceed to the process of attaching it to the ceiling. | |
| At this stage, of course, it would be nice to enlist the help of a friend. The cornice itself is not heavy, but it is long and bulky, and therefore, when marking, it costs nothing to allow for displacement and error. And the task now is to attach the cornice to the ceiling surface exactly along the intended line of its facade... | |
| ... and then use a pencil or marker to mark points through the mounting holes that will become the centers of the holes for the fasteners. | |
| Then the hammer drill is prepared for work - the drilling mode with chiselling is set, a drill with a diameter of 6 or 8 mm is inserted into the chuck (depending on the diameter of the selected mounting dowels. Then holes are drilled at the marking points. The master simultaneously uses a vacuum cleaner, bringing the suction pipe to the drilling site - to the resulting debris did not fall onto the floor. | |
| In the example demonstrated, the mater uses 6x40 mm dowel-nails. You can take a little longer - 6x60, so that you can be sure that even the heaviest curtains will not tear them out of their sockets. | |
| Plas dowels are inserted into the holes made... | |
| ... and hammer into them to their entire length. | |
| Then the assembled cornice is again installed in the place prepared for it - this time finally. Dowel-nails are inserted through the holes into the plastic plugs, and using a hammer and punch, carefully (so as not to damage the plastic tire) they are driven as deep as possible, ideally until they stop completely. If it is impossible to drive the dowel-nail all the way in, use a screwdriver to screw it in until it stops. | |
| With high-quality installation, the cornice will eventually press tightly against the ceiling along its entire length. In fact, the installation of the cornice itself has already been completed. | |
| There are some small "touches" left. Thus, the existing plugs can be used to close the mounting holes. These “plugs” are simply inserted into the holes and lock themselves there. | |
| Agree, with the mounting holes closed with plugs, the cornice looks much neater. | |
| The last step in our example is the master installing stoppers - there are rectangular windows for them on the edges of both guides. | |
| And the installer hung a package of hooks on one of the stoppers. And the owners will then decide for themselves how many and on which guide they need hanging points for drapes or curtains. The work on installing the ceiling cornice is successfully completed! |
Installation of a cornice on a suspended plasterboard ceiling
In many ways, the installation of the cornice is similar. The whole difference is in the attachment to the ceiling surface.
For a thin plasterboard sheet (and gypsum board with a thickness of only 9 mm is usually used on the ceiling), dowel-nails are in no way suitable. This means we need to look for another solution.
Three options can be offered:
- The first is to place a galvanized metal ceiling profile in advance, even at the stage of creating a frame (lating) for plasterboard sheets, exactly along the line of fastening the cornice. Then the plastic profile can be fixed to the ceiling surface using metal screws, those used for installing drywall. This profile can be a component of the lathing system. If not, then it won’t be difficult to simply install one additional one specifically for the cornice.
- The second is similar to the first, but you can use a wooden block or strip as an embedded part, securing it to the sheathing elements. Then ordinary wood screws of the required length will be suitable for fastening (for example, 35 mm will be enough).
- The third is when there is no embedded part, that is, they decided to hang the cornice after the plasterboard suspended ceiling was installed. But even in this case, the issue is resolved quickly and with little bloodshed. Simply, special plasterboard dowels will be used to secure the tire. There are several types of them
— Dowel (anchor) “butterfly”
Easy to use and fairly secure mount. To install it, a hole is drilled in the drywall with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the anchor (usually indicated on it, or it’s easy to check with a caliper).
Butterfly anchor and the principle of its installation.
Then into this hole, for which it is enough to squeeze them towards the center with your fingers. Then the screw is tightened so that the anchor is completely seated. Next, the self-tapping screw is unscrewed, and the cornice rail is attached to it. The more the self-tapping screw is screwed in, the stronger the folding “wings” are pressed from the inside to the plasterboard sheet, and the tighter the fastening is.
— Anchor MO LA
In many ways, the design and principle of fastening is similar to the “butterfly”. However, it is made of metal; instead of a self-tapping screw, a screw is used, which is screwed into a rigidly fixed nut located at the end.
MOLA anchor and brief graphic instructions for its use.
On the outside there is a fixed press washer with two sharp protrusions turned towards the surface of the drywall - this is to prevent the anchor from turning when the screw rotates. The installation is the same as that of the “butterfly”. That is, first the anchor is inserted into the drilled hole, then the screw is screwed in all the way (this will give the desired deformation of the petals behind the wall), then the screw is unscrewed - and the necessary part of the cornice is finally attached to it to the thin gypsum board ceiling.
— Dowel DRIVA
Such fasteners can be metal or polymer - the principle of their design and fastening does not change. The anchor itself has the shape of a screw with wide and sharp turns. Often there is a drill at the end - then you don’t even have to make a hole in the drywall.
One of the variants of the DRIVA type dowel and the principle of its fastening in a plasterboard partition.
The plastic or metal anchor itself (without a self-tapping screw) is first screwed into the plasterboard surface at the intended point until it stops at the wide side. And in front of us is a ready-made dowel-hole for screwing in the self-tapping screw that secures the tire.
Expert opinion: Afanasyev E.V.
Chief editor of the Stroyday.ru project. Engineer.
You need to be careful with such dowels - if you screw them in at the first stage of the process with excessive force, they can crumble the drilled hole, and the fastening therefore becomes unreliable.
* * * * * * *
Otherwise, attaching the cornice to the ceiling is no different from the example shown above.
The cornice is attached to the wooden ceiling
Here you don’t have to “bother” at all and don’t write much. This is the simplest case, when no drilling or any special fasteners are required, ordinary wood screws and a screwdriver are sufficient.
Placing a ceiling cornice on a suspended ceiling
Stretch ceilings have made a “revolution” in the field of interior decoration, and their popularity is constantly growing. Therefore, it would be strange if questions do not arise as to whether and how to hang a ceiling cornice on a suspended ceiling.
Let’s say right away that it is possible, especially if you prepared for it ahead of time. There are several options here too.
Installation of ceiling cornice on embedded parts
There is no point in installing a suspended ceiling yourself. If there is no experience, then the likelihood of getting a decent result is frighteningly small, and expensive material may be damaged.
But when you call a team of craftsmen to install such a ceiling, and your plans include installing a ceiling cornice, do not forget to point this out to the specialists. Then they will simply install the embedded part along the line of the future cornice. The most obvious solution is a wooden beam. But it may well be a galvanized profile, which is used for plasterboard structures. The whole difference subsequently is only in the choice of fasteners, screws for wood or metal.
Embedded timber (board) from wall to wall - this is where, after tensioning the canvas, you can hang any ceiling cornice.
Experienced craftsmen will place the embedded part so that its lower edge is level with the future canvas, literally 1 mm above the planned level of the ceiling plane. And then, when attaching the tire to a profile or beam, the geometry and appearance of the coating will not suffer at all.
Expert opinion: Afanasyev E.V.
Chief editor of the Stroyday.ru project. Engineer.
By the way, some teams, in order to save material, practice installing not a continuous embedded part along the entire length, but several support platforms, say, from fragments of plywood. It’s just that when attaching the cornice, you will need to make sure not to make a mistake with the location of these support points.
Such embedded platforms are installed for the installation of ceiling lighting fixtures. But several similar (even significantly smaller in size) plates, arranged at intervals of 500 mm along the same line, will be enough to fasten a long cornice.
Installation, even independent, of a ceiling cornice on embedded parts is almost as simple as on a wooden ceiling. But there is an important nuance - in those areas where the canvas will be pierced with self-tapping screws, it is necessary to stick small pieces of reinforced tape, approximately 50x50 mm. This ensures that the hole does not become a spreading tear.
Pieces of reinforced tape, glued in places where the stretch ceiling fabric is punctured with self-tapping screws, protects against tearing or spreading.
Expert opinion: Afanasyev E.V.
Chief editor of the Stroyday.ru project. Engineer.
By the way, reinforcement of puncture points is largely intended for PVC sheets. Fabric ceilings do not suffer from spreading. But I wouldn’t risk it - I would still stick the tape in this case too. This will not take much time or any serious material resources, but will be incomparably calmer.
One more thing - many installers promise that PVC film will never creep. They say that there were no such cases in their practice. I’m not sure whether to believe such statements: fifty times it didn’t crawl, on the fifty-first one it would break... And in any case, I would have reinforced the attachment points anyway - it wouldn’t hurt.
As a result, after installing the cornice, it will fit tightly to the stretched canvas without deforming it. Approximately as shown in the illustration.
An approximate diagram of fastening a ceiling cornice on a suspended ceiling to an embedded part.
Let us repeat - for this method you need to warn the specialists who arrived to install the stretch ceiling in advance. Yes, this will make the overall estimate somewhat heavier, but it’s worth it.
The ceiling cornice is hidden in a niche of the stretch ceiling
Many people love this option. Indeed, it looks impressive when the cornice is completely invisible, since it is located above the plane of the ceiling, and the curtains fall from a niche running along the window.
An example of an interior with a ceiling cornice hidden in a niche of a stretch ceiling
Again, you will have to entrust this to the team that will stretch your ceiling. Only the canvas will not go all the way to the wall with the window, but to the partition made, for example, from the same timber. The partition is positioned so that the cornice fits freely between it and the wall and there remains a distance for the curtains at the required distance so that they do not touch the window sill or the protruding heating radiator.
One of the schemes for installing a ceiling cornice in a niche of a stretch ceiling.
An approximate diagram is shown in the illustration above. By the way, for such purposes, many craftsmen use not timber, but a special rectangular aluminum profile.
And sometimes the scheme is complicated - they completely cover with canvas the entire space up to the cornice, including the inner vertical wall of the embedded beam, and even the gap from the cornice to the wall. Of course, all this increases the cost of work - so the choice is up to the homeowners as to how they like it and what is available to them.
You shouldn’t take on such a task on your own; it requires considerable experience.
What to do if the ceiling is already stretched?
This also happens - the suspended ceiling has been in use for a long time, and then the owners suddenly realize that they cannot continue to live without a busbar ceiling cornice. How should they be?
The easiest way is to call a team of craftsmen again. For them, although this is not an easy task, it is quite an ordinary task. They are able to remove the canvas from one side of the room in order to secure the embedded beam, which can then easily be used to mount the cornice. Presumably, if the owners wish, specialists can also handle creating a niche in the ceiling. Of course, all this must be paid for - but the owners themselves are to blame for not thinking about the future for the future.
But if you absolutely don’t want to call a professional, but you absolutely need a ceiling cornice on a suspended ceiling, can you do it yourself?
Yes, it is also possible if you act carefully.
To do this, you will need several thermal rings with an internal diameter of about 50 mm and glue for them. It is best to take a special one, Kosmo, which is probably sold in the same place where thermal rings are sold - in the department of a hardware store that sells accessories for suspended ceilings.
Thermal rings and special glue for them.
In addition, you will need a piece of polypropylene pipe with an outer diameter of 40 mm. and for fastening - dowels with plastic plugs of 8 or 10 mm, but with an increased length of the self-tapping screw. Such that this length is enough to enter the clogged dowel plug at least 30-35 mm, the distance between the ceiling and the tension fabric, and the thickness of the profile cornice. For example, 100 or 120 mm long.
How this task is performed:
- Attachment points are marked along the holes in the assembled cornice - directly on the stretched canvas.
- Next, the rings are coated one by one with a thin layer of glue and glued to the canvas at the designated points, so that this point is exactly in the center of the circle.
- The glue hardens quickly, so after gluing the last ring, you can already return to the first. Now our goal is to cut out the core of the circle, exactly along the inner border of the ring. A thin stationery knife with replaceable blades is best suited for this. Thus, we get a hole, but it will not creep and will not tear further, since it is fenced with a thermal ring, which serves precisely this purpose.
Cutting out the fabric inside the glued thermal ring.
- The next step is to individually measure the distance from the ceiling surface to the stretched fabric at each point using a ruler. And exactly according to this measured value, a section of polypropylene pipe is cut. The pipe should be cut with special scissors, ensuring that the end is perpendicular to the walls of the pipe - this is important.
- Then, carefully using a hammer drill, with the obligatory collection of debris with a vacuum cleaner, holes are drilled in the ceiling for plastic dowel plugs. Such a plug is inserted into each hole and pushed into it along its entire length - you will have to use a hammer with some kind of improvised punch, so that it passes through the hole made.
- You can begin installing the cornice. A self-tapping screw is passed through the mounting hole, and on the other side it must pass through a section of pipe. And so on at each attachment point. For convenience, you can coat the ends of the pipe sections with instant glue and temporarily glue them to the ceiling - it will become easier.
- Next, the cornice is installed in place, the ends of the screws will go through the tubular channels to their dowel plugs. And all that remains is to screw the structure to a rigid base. The pipe sections will rest with one end against the ceiling, the other against the upper surface of the cornice, which will thus itself be located exactly at the level of the ceiling.
- After tightening all the screws, the cornice will be ready to accept curtains. If everything is done carefully and accurately, no deformations will occur on the stretched canvas, and the cornice will look like it fits tightly with its entire upper wall to the ceiling surface.
* * * * * * *
There is another simple option if you are terrified of even touching the stretch ceiling. You can pretend that the cornice is on the ceiling, but in reality it will be mounted on the wall using L-shaped brackets. If you try to position the tire as close to the ceiling surface as possible, then perhaps no one will notice such a change. It will be quite beautiful!
The cornice is almost adjacent to the ceiling surface, but in fact it is secured to the wall with brackets.
And at the end of the publication, watch a video that reveals some of the nuances of attaching a ceiling cornice to a tension thread.
Methods of attaching curtains: drawstring
A drawstring is an elementary method of fastening, since no additional materials are needed other than the fabric of the curtain itself. Its top is wrapped and stitched, forming a kind of tunnel into which the rod from the cornice is inserted. In some cases, the drawstring is sewn from a separate piece of fabric.
Style.
This mounting option looks very simple, but the fine structure gives it a romantic mood. Well suited for both light country styles (Provence and shabby chic) and elegant living rooms and bedrooms in Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles. It is more convenient to use with light curtains, but the drawstring will withstand any curtains.
If the ceiling is plasterboard
If it was decided to install a ceiling cornice at the renovation stage, most likely there is a special niche in which it is installed. In this case, it is attached to the ceiling, and how to attach the ceiling cornice to concrete and wooden floors is described above. It will be a little more difficult, since freedom of action is limited, but not critical.
Attaching the cornice in a niche is a little more inconvenient
There may be a second option - without a niche. A wooden beam is fixed at the place where the cornice is installed. It is located between the drywall and the main floor. In this case, the ceiling cornice is attached to the beam through plasterboard. You need to use wood screws of sufficient length so that the body of the beam contains at least 2/3 of the length (preferably more).
But if you decide to replace the cornice with a ceiling one after the repair, you will have to look for special fasteners. These are the so-called butterfly and snail dowels. Both are characterized by an increased contact area with the material, due to which the load is distributed over a larger surface. But it’s still better not to use heavy fabrics.
Using special fasteners for drywall
Braid (curtain tape)
The braid is sewn to the top of the curtain from the wrong side. It is a mechanism for pulling the curtains together to form many small vertical folds. The braid may have one or two rows of fastenings so that you can choose whether the fabric will cover the cornice or not. A curtain with braid can be hung on a cornice either by stringing it on a rod or using hooks.
Style.
A lush and richly pleated curtain with braid is perfect for luxurious classic interiors of a living room or dining room.
Pros:
suitable for curtains of any weight; easy-to-use and inexpensive fasteners; strong decorative effect;
Minuses:
due to frequent gatherings, you need to take the width of the fabric 1.5-2 times larger than the area to be covered; It is difficult to put the curtain on the curtain rod.
Easy installation
- When installing the tire, start by preparing the base. The ceiling must be clean and level. If there is a ceiling plinth, cut it so that it does not interfere with the installation of the cornice.
Butterfly type
fasteners Mark, check that the space from the window on the left and right is the same size. If there is a baguette lining, install it on the tire in advance.
Drill holes with a step width of 60 cm, secure the cornice to the ceiling with dowel nails.
There are models made of soft plastic - metal plates for all the holes that you must place in the grooves on the rear wall of the tire will help you make the fastening more reliable.
Then attach the cornice to the ceiling, insert the hooks and cover the corners with caps.
Ceiling cornice diagram
If the ceiling in your room is made of plasterboard, then you should use special molly dowels or butterfly dowels. The design feature of such dowels provides for their wedging from the wrong side of the drywall. It must be taken into account that the load on the dowels should be no more than 5 kg.
Hooks
Hooks are a convenient way to hang straight curtains. They come in two types: metal hooks are sewn to the back of the curtain and hold it securely on the curtain rod. Usually these fasteners are combined with the rings that we talked about in the first part of the article, or a closed cornice with a rail or a flat cornice is selected. The second type of hooks are small plastic ones. They are always used with a closed curtain rod and hang on it, the curtain is put on hooks using sewn loops.
Style.
Since the hooks are hidden in most cases, they do not affect the appearance of the curtain and can be used in any style and for any room to which the selected rings or curtain rod are suitable.
Pros:
versatility - can be used with any type of curtains; wear resistance of the metal version; Just hang it on the curtain rod without removing it.
Minuses:
the need for additional fasteners or a special cornice; not suitable for heavy curtains; the fastenings move noisily along the cornice; plastic hooks break easily.
Clamps
Clips or “nippers” hold the curtain by squeezing the fabric and their teeth. There is no need for any special fastenings on the curtain itself; the clips are placed directly on the curtain rod. To attach the cutters themselves, you need rings or a covered cornice with a tire. The most modern version of clamps is magnetic. They make it very easy to hang curtains, and they look decorative. The magnets are held on the cornice using loops.
Style.
When using a covered cornice, it is he who sets the style; usually these are the easiest to fit into modern minimalist interiors. Using wire cutters openly can become a feature of interiors with retro and vintage styles. Magnetic clips will decorate techno and hi-tech.
Pros:
easy to hang the curtain; versatility; It is possible to fix the fold required for drapery.
Minuses:
suitable only for not very heavy, but dense fabrics - a thin curtain will easily tear if pulled; additional fastening or special cornice is required; noisy.
To make your curtains even more beautiful, we have prepared something for you: “9 interesting DIY curtain tieback ideas.”
The appearance and functionality of curtains depend not only on their quality and material, but also on the way they are attached above the window. In the vast majority of cases, they are attached to a ceiling or wall cornice. This method is unrivaled and has no equivalent analogues. But there are several options for attaching curtains directly to the cornice. An incorrectly chosen fastening can negate the entire attractiveness of the curtains and disrupt the stylistic unity of the interior. Therefore, before you go to the store for the curtains you like, you should decide exactly how they will be mounted on the curtain rod.
When going to the store, we take measurements
How to attach a cornice to a suspended ceiling
Before buying the cornice you like, take the necessary measurements: the width of the window or the wall as a whole. The distance from the side walls to the cornice may differ for each type of cornice.
If you plan to hang light curtains consisting of one or two parts that will elegantly frame the window opening, then the curtain rod can be hung above the window with protruding edges of 10-25 cm. A wall-mounted curtain rod consisting of one rod is suitable for this.
The cornice should not prevent the window from opening, so it must be positioned at least 5 cm above the opening. When installing a multi-row cornice, it is important to take into account its distance from the wall; the curtains should not touch the window handles, the battery and the protruding part of the window sill. Moreover, measurements must be taken from the row closest to the window
You can attach the cornice to the entire width of the wall with a window opening: from one side wall to the opposite, it all depends on the design of the curtain. Thus, some types of curtain rods, for example for roller blinds, are attached directly to the window frame.
Curtains with hinges
Curtains with hinges look appropriate and harmonious in both strict classical and avant-garde interior styles and in rooms of any functional purpose. The loops are suitable for all types of curtains. Such fastening can be found even on Japanese and Roman models.
Loops can be simple or decorated with curtain accessories, statically sewn or fastened with buttons, snaps or velcro tape
Like ties, loops can be made from any available textile materials: ribbons, braids, ropes, cords. But most often they are sewn from the same fabric as the curtains or from a companion fabric. It is very convenient to use this mount. To hang curtains, simply thread the curtain rod through the loops.
Strict loops, sewn from the same fabric as the drapes and curtains, emphasize the beauty of the deep flowing folds on the curtains
Hinged curtains look especially good on thin round curtain rods
Multi-colored fun loops on buttons and funny toy tiebacks in this photo dilute the monochrome of plain curtains the color of baked milk and are ideal for a window in a nursery
Pats
Curtains with patches are curtain products with decorative loops sewn on top. They are hung on a round rod curtain rod, or rather, the rod is threaded through the loops. If we talk about interior decoration, then this is a universal option for decorating the windows of a child’s room, living room, bedroom, and kitchen. The width of the loops can be different, as well as the fabric for sewing them. For curtains with patties, a lambrequin is not used, because the presence of loops gives individuality to each curtain.
Curtains with eyelets
Curtains with eyelets are considered one of the most versatile and stylistically thoughtful design options for window and door openings. Eyelets are metal, plastic or wooden rings that frame holes in the upper part of drapes or curtains through which the round cornice pipe is threaded. In this case, the hole itself is almost invisible and it seems that the cornice passes directly through the fabric.
Curtains with eyelets are characterized by noble, laconic simplicity and the emphasis in their design is on the texture and color of the fabric.
Curtains with eyelets look best in classic, not too romantic or modern, but quite austere interiors. They are distinguished by smooth, deep folds and do not require voluminous draperies or additional details in the form of swags and lambrequins.
Eyelets are equally good for plain and printed curtains
When the eyelets are matched to the curtains, it seems that the cornice is piercing the fabric. It looks very impressive
Eyelets can not only be strung on a cornice, but also loops can be threaded through them, as on the Japanese curtain in this photo
Drawstring curtains
Drawstring curtains are a type of straight curtains or drapes. They differ from other models by the presence of a tunnel pocket in the upper part. In order to hang such curtains over a window, a round rod or string of a string cornice must be passed through a pocket (drawstring).
For light short kitchen curtains, drawstring can be the ideal solution
Due to the way they are fastened, the folds on such curtains are always frequent and small, which looks especially good in a romantic and delicate setting.
Drawstring curtains fit perfectly into all “rustic” interiors: American country, English shabby chic and French Provence, as in this photo
Curtains with braid
Curtains with braid (curtain tape) are an excellent option for those who, without professional experience, dream of sewing magnificent curtains with complex folds with their own hands. Such fastenings are suitable for both profile and round cornices, including those with a set of rings. Curtain braid is sold in all haberdashery stores.
The principle of operation of curtain tape is that by stretching cords along its entire length, folds of any frequency and depth can be formed on the curtains
Using braid, you can assemble curtains into even and deep folds, simulating manual gathering or small and frequent pleats made by machine. The former look best on thick curtain fabrics, the latter on curtain fabric or light silk. Curtains with braid are appropriate in any interior and, despite the fact that they look quite self-sufficient and decorative, they are often combined with lambrequins, curtains and swags.
