How can we keep curtain rods installed without wooden studs?

October 28, 2014 4:43 AM

We live in a rented apartment which has big windows, big transparent sliding doors, and no coverings. To reduce light in our bedroom, we have installed some simple curtain rods. The building has a steel frame so there are no wooden studs for us to drill into. So for each curtain rod, we installed three simple brackets directly into the drywall. Unfortunately, the brackets have come out of the wall several times. How can we fix this?

We don't own the unit and don't get much cooperation from the landlord so we don't want to do anything super-permanent. We also aren't highly skilled at home improvement, and likely won't be staying here for years but need a solution now.

The brackets run vertically on the wall with a screw on the top and one on the bottom. We got some improvement by using longer screws and angling them slightly toward each other rather than perpendicular towards the wall but I'm worried they're going to fall out again at some point and won't have time then to research the best way to reinstall before I need to sleep.

posted by grouse to Home & Garden (19 answers total)

Did you use appropriate drywall anchors, or did you just drive screws directly into the drywall? The first approach can work well, but the latter is hopeless.
posted by jon1270 at 4:46 AM on October 28, 2014 [8 favorites]

(You'll find there are a zillion different styles of anchors at any home-improvement store. I recently tried this style, and it worked better than average.)
posted by jon1270 at 4:56 AM on October 28, 2014 [2 favorites]

If you can't get it to work, maybe try tension rods instead?
posted by Jacqueline at 5:26 AM on October 28, 2014 [2 favorites]

You need drywall anchors. Go to a hardware store at a time when you're likely to be able to talk to an expert -- there are different anchors for different purposes/weight limits. Bring a screw from the bracket so you can be sure to get the right inner diameter for the anchor.

Basically, the anchor is designed to hold firmly in the drywall, then the screw can dig into the anchor and hold securely in it. It's important to get a really good fit for the screw.
posted by amtho at 5:33 AM on October 28, 2014 [2 favorites]

N-thing the drywall anchors; and toothpaste to fill the -deposit sucking- holes when you move out.
posted by buzzman at 6:01 AM on October 28, 2014

And, if you want to get hardcore, you can use toggle bolts. They put a larger hole in the wall, but they hold a lot more weight, depending on your curtain type.
posted by liquado at 6:19 AM on October 28, 2014 [2 favorites]

C'mon toothpaste spackling is for college. Just buy a tub of actual spackle, it not much different than the cost of the toothpaste.

besides cake icing is way better than toothpaste
posted by Ferreous at 6:31 AM on October 28, 2014 [13 favorites]

I've seen examples of hanging curtain rods using command strip hooks by 3M. I haven't yet tried it myself but since I have a similar set up in my apartment I've been meaning to give it a shot. I would think it limits how heavy the curtains could be -- or at least you likely need to compensate by using more hooks if you are curtains are fairly heavy

Examples on lifehacker and Pinterest
posted by NikitaNikita at 6:40 AM on October 28, 2014

That drywall is attached to metal studs rather than wooden ones. With screws. You can find those studs with a stud finder and screw your brackets onto them. The are spaced every 16 inches, or maybe every 24. But if the drapes are on the heavy side, use the toggle bolt as suggested above but attach it to one of the metal studs. Video.
posted by beagle at 6:53 AM on October 28, 2014 [2 favorites]

I seriously doubt you have drywall without some sort of stud. If they are steel studs or wood there has to be something to attach the dry wall to. Use a knuckle and tap along the wall and listen/feel for a change in density. That's a stud. Also a good magnet may find metal studs.

Also drywall anchors in case a stud isn't where you need it to be.
posted by Gungho at 7:18 AM on October 28, 2014

Those telling you to just screw into the metal studs must not have had a metal framed house before! I found it impossible even with a drill bit that was supposed to be able to do the job. So avoid the studs and go with the suggestions to get drywall anchors. You just drill a hole the same diameter as the drywall anchor, shove the anchor in, then screw the screw into the anchor. It expands behind the drywall to secure it from behind the wall.
posted by cecic at 8:30 AM on October 28, 2014 [2 favorites]

Also came in here to recommend 3M Command -- that stuff is incredible.
posted by Rash at 8:58 AM on October 28, 2014 [1 favorite]

n-thing drywall anchors. But depending on the quality of the walls, and depending on your level of experience with them, I would really suggest buying a couple of small drywall patch kits, and some touchup paint. Invariably upon installation or upon removal, you'll bust a chunk of drywall off, and having everything there to fix it is quite nice.
posted by furnace.heart at 8:59 AM on October 28, 2014

You can screw into metal studs. The drywall is screwed into the metal studs.

Just get some self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screws essentially have a drill bit at the tip of the screw as seen here or are really pointy and have agressive threading. I would use screws with the drill bit at the tip with finer threads and a wafer head for that application, you will have more control. Any big-box will have them.

You have to press really hard to get them to penetrate the stud but then as soon as they "bite" and start to penetrate release the trigger on your drill and proceed slowly.

Mark and drill/screw the holes first, it's fine to miss by a little here as curtain rod anchor systems give you a bit of malleability. Then install the brackets without screwing them in fully, level it as best you can, and tighten the screws.
posted by vapidave at 10:32 AM on October 28, 2014

I've seen examples of hanging curtain rods using command strip hooks by 3M. I haven't yet tried it myself but since I have a similar set up in my apartment I've been meaning to give it a shot. I would think it limits how heavy the curtains could be -- or at least you likely need to compensate by using more hooks if you are curtains are fairly heavy

Command strips will likely not work for this. Curtains are too likely to experience downward and outward forces that exceed the mere weight of the curtains because of pulling and wind. We can't even hang pictures in our apartment with them because building renovations cause enough vibration for them to sporadically fall off the wall (which has flat paint on a slightly textured finish).
posted by srboisvert at 10:44 AM on October 28, 2014

I live in a house with horrible crumbly drywall and have a fear of drilling into the walls. There are two windows that have very fashionable Command hook drapery rod holders, each has been there with no problem for at least 5 years. The walls are lightly textured, but that has made no difference. They are the nicest window treatments in the house, as everything else is pretty much held on by pushpins. If you follow the directions about cleaning the surface and pressing and waiting for an hour before putting any weight on them, Command strips can last for years.
posted by monopas at 11:14 AM on October 28, 2014

There are studs in there. Use a stud finder. Screw into studs.
posted by GeeEmm at 1:00 PM on October 28, 2014

I agree with tension rods. They're great for renting. No drilling, no holes, easy to remove. Come in all sizes and lengths. I've used them for curtains I made out of sheeting fabric, which is not all that heavy, but blocks out what needs to be blocked.
posted by PJMoore at 4:39 PM on October 28, 2014

I have thick curtain rods that didn't fit in the hooks - or I didn't think of them - so I use the Command cord bundlers. I don't have heavy curtains, so YMMV, but they do the job beautifully. Much much easier than fussing about with drills and such.
posted by Athanassiel at 6:01 PM on October 28, 2014