Curtain poles and curtain tracks are one of the most common household fixing jobs in the UK, and one of the most common to go wrong. A fully loaded curtain pole — heavy fabric curtains, metal rings, and the pole itself — can weigh 8–15 kg, with all that weight concentrated on just two or three bracket fixings. Add the daily pulling and tugging of opening and closing curtains, and weak fixings will eventually pull out of the wall.
This guide covers exactly what fixings you need for curtain poles on every UK wall type, with specific recommendations for standard poles, heavy curtains, and bay windows.
Quick Answer — Curtain Pole Fixings by Wall Type
| Wall Type | Curtain Weight | Recommended Fixing | Drill Bit Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid brick/block | Light to medium | Red wall plugs (6mm) + No. 8 × 50mm screws | 6mm masonry |
| Solid brick/block | Heavy curtains | Brown wall plugs (7mm) + No. 10 × 60mm screws | 7mm masonry |
| Plasterboard (on studs) | Light to medium | Metal self-drill anchors | None needed |
| Plasterboard (on studs) | Heavy curtains | Screw into studs (preferred) or spring toggles | 3mm pilot (stud) or 10mm (toggle) |
| Dot-and-dab | Any weight | Long masonry plugs through to brick | 6mm or 7mm masonry |
| Concrete lintel | Any weight | Brown wall plugs (7mm) + SDS drill | 7mm masonry (SDS recommended) |
The Concrete Lintel Problem
This catches out more DIYers than any other curtain pole issue. Above most UK windows sits a concrete lintel — a reinforced concrete beam that supports the wall above the window opening. This is exactly where your curtain pole brackets need to go, and concrete lintels are very hard to drill into.
A standard cordless combi drill in hammer mode will struggle with a concrete lintel, especially for 7mm holes. You’ll often find the masonry bit just spins and gets hot without making progress.
Solutions:
- SDS rotary hammer drill: Far more powerful than a combi drill for concrete. If you have an SDS drill (see our best battery for rotary hammers guide), use it. The hammer mechanism is significantly more effective on dense concrete.
- Fresh, sharp masonry bit: Dull bits are the main reason for drilling failure. A brand new TCT masonry bit cuts far faster than a worn one.
- Patience and steady pressure: Don’t push too hard — let the hammer action work. Withdraw the bit regularly to clear dust. It may take 2–3 minutes per hole in a very hard lintel.
Curtain Pole Fixings on Solid Masonry
Standard Curtain Poles (Up to 10 kg Total)
Most standard curtain poles with light-to-medium weight curtains weigh 5–10 kg in total. Two brackets, each held by two red 6mm wall plugs, provide ample support.
Per bracket: 2× red wall plugs (6mm) with No. 8 × 50mm screws. That’s 4 fixings total for a standard two-bracket pole.
Drill bit: 6mm masonry bit. Drill to 40mm depth. Masonry drill bit set — check price on Amazon
Heavy Curtain Poles (10–20 kg Total)
Wooden poles with heavy lined curtains, blackout fabric, or very long spans (over 2 metres) need stronger fixings. Step up to brown 7mm wall plugs with No. 10 × 60mm screws.
For poles over 2.4 metres, add a centre support bracket (third bracket in the middle) to prevent the pole from sagging under the curtain weight.
Bay Window Curtain Poles
Bay window poles are trickier because the brackets are often positioned at angles and the walls around bays can be a mix of solid masonry and cavity construction. Check each bracket position individually — the side walls of a bay are often solid brick while the front may be different.
Use at least brown 7mm plugs for every bay window bracket, as the angled pull of curtains around the bay creates extra stress.
Curtain Pole Fixings on Plasterboard
Light Curtains: Metal Self-Drill Anchors
For lightweight curtains (voiles, sheers, light cotton), metal self-drill anchors provide sufficient holding power. Two per bracket — no pre-drilling required. Combined load across all fixings: 40–80 kg total.
Metal self-drill anchors — check price on Amazon
Heavy Curtains: Screw into Studs
For heavier curtains, the best approach is to position your brackets over timber studs and screw directly in. Use a stud finder to locate the studs — they’re typically at 400mm or 600mm centres. If a stud aligns with your bracket position, use No. 10 × 50mm wood screws driven at least 30mm into the stud.
If the studs don’t align with where you need the brackets, use spring toggles or snap toggles instead. Two per bracket provides roughly 30–60 kg capacity per bracket — more than enough for the heaviest curtains.
Installation Tips for Curtain Poles
- Height: Mount the brackets 100–150mm above the window frame, or higher if you want to make the window appear taller. Going higher also reduces the chance of curtain fabric pooling on the windowsill.
- Width: Extend the pole 150–200mm beyond each side of the window frame. This allows the curtains to stack fully off the glass when open, maximising light.
- Level: Always use a spirit level. Even a slight tilt is visible once the curtains are hung — the fabric will hang unevenly and the rings will slide to the lower end.
- Pre-fit the brackets: Before drilling, hold the brackets in position and check the curtain pole sits at the right height and the rings clear the window frame.
- Ring count: As a general rule, use one ring per 10–15 cm of pole length. Too few rings and the curtain bunches unevenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wall plugs for curtain poles?
For solid brick or block walls, use red wall plugs (6mm) for standard curtains or brown wall plugs (7mm) for heavy curtains. Each bracket should have at least two fixings. For plasterboard walls, use metal self-drill anchors (light curtains) or screw into studs / use spring toggles (heavy curtains). See our wall plug size chart for complete specifications.
How many brackets do I need for a curtain pole?
Two brackets (one at each end) for poles up to 2 metres. Add a centre bracket for poles 2–3 metres. For poles over 3 metres, use a bracket every 1–1.2 metres. Heavy curtains may need an extra centre bracket even on shorter poles to prevent sagging.
Can I hang curtain poles on plasterboard without studs?
Yes, using the right plasterboard fixings. Metal self-drill anchors work for light curtains. For heavy curtains, use spring toggles or gravity toggles — each one holds 15–25 kg in 12.5mm plasterboard, so two per bracket provides ample capacity. See our plasterboard fixings guide for details.
My curtain pole bracket keeps pulling out — how do I fix it?
If the bracket has pulled out, the original fixing has failed — either the plug was too small, the wall material is weaker than expected, or the hole has enlarged. To fix: (1) Use the next size up plug in the existing hole, or (2) reposition the bracket slightly (even 10mm to one side) and drill a fresh hole, or (3) use a chemical anchor (resin fixing) which fills the oversized hole and bonds to the masonry.
Related Guides
- Wall Plug & Fixing Compatibility Guide
- Wall Plug Size Chart
- Masonry Wall Plugs & Fixings Guide
- Plasterboard Fixings Guide
- What Fixings for a TV Mount?
- What Fixings for Heavy Shelves?
Recommended Curtain Pole Fixings
Heavy curtains put serious load on brackets — especially at the ends. Use the right plugs for your wall type and don’t skimp on bracket quality.
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Amazon
