Fit a net curtain wire to a dot-and-dab plasterboard wall

Fit a net curtain wire between two end brackets on a dot-and-dab wall, checking for cables and pipes before you drill.

NC-01Measure up and gather your toolsMeasure the window width and mark where each end bracket will sit, usually 50-75mm above the top of the frame and the same distance in from each side. Mark the centre point on each side with a pencil and check both marks are level with a spirit level. Lay out your tools and fixings before you start so you are not hunting for things halfway through.

1 each · Net curtain wire kit (with end hooks and gripper)

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1 each · Tape measure

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1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Pencil

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NC-02Find your stopcock and know your circuits before you drillBefore any drilling, find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. Run a cable/pipe detector over both marked spots, but treat this as a guide, not a guarantee — detectors miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or behind metal-backed plasterboard. If you have any doubt at all, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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NC-03Confirm what's actually behind the wallDot-and-dab means plasterboard glued to the masonry with foam blobs, leaving an air gap of 10-40mm behind it — tap the wall and listen for a hollow sound with solid thuds every so often where the dabs sit. If the wall sounds solid everywhere with no hollow patches, you likely have solid brick or block, not dot-and-dab. If it's a stud wall (common around windows in partition walls or loft rooms), use a detector or magnet to find the studs; a magnet pulling to screw heads or steel swarf from a pilot hole means metal studs, timber dust means timber studs. On older houses, a slightly springy wall with a fine crackling sound when tapped may be lath and plaster instead.

NC-04Drill the fixing holes for the end bracketsFor dot-and-dab, drill through the plasterboard and the air gap into the solid masonry behind, using a 6mm masonry bit to a total depth of around 60-75mm, then fit a matching wall plug that reaches the masonry, not just the plasterboard. For solid brick or block without dot-and-dab, drill 45-50mm deep with a 6mm masonry bit and fit a standard wall plug. For a timber stud, drill a small pilot hole and drive a wood screw straight into the centre of the stud. For a metal stud, do not use a wood screw or plastic plug — use a self-drilling metal-stud fixing or hollow-wall toggle rated for the weight, since ordinary screws strip straight through 0.5mm steel. For lath and plaster, drill carefully at low speed to avoid cracking the plaster key, and use a long screw with a plug that grips the lath itself.

1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm

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2 each · Wall plugs (long, for dot-and-dab depth)

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2 each · Self-drilling metal-stud fixing (if applicable)

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2 each · Hollow-wall toggle fixing (if applicable)

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NC-05Fit the end bracketsScrew each bracket firmly into its fixing until snug, taking care not to overtighten and crack the plasterboard face. Check both brackets sit level with each other using the spirit level. Give each one a firm tug to check it holds before moving on.

1 each · Screwdriver

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NC-06Cut, thread and tension the wireCut the wire a little longer than the gap between brackets, since some is lost feeding it through the gripper mechanism. Thread one end through the hook on one bracket, then through the gripper on the other bracket. Pull the wire taut and lock it off in the gripper, which grips the wire and stops it slipping back.

1 each · Wire cutters

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NC-07Hang the curtain and test the tensionSlide the net curtain's channel or hooks onto the wire before it's fully tensioned if possible, as it's much easier than threading it on afterwards. Once hung, check the wire is tight enough that the curtain doesn't sag in the middle. Trim any excess wire close to the gripper with wire cutters.

NC-08Tidy upVacuum up plasterboard or brick dust from the sill and floor. Wipe down the wall around the brackets with a damp cloth. Put drill bits and offcuts of wire away safely, away from children and pets.

1 each · Vacuum cleaner (household)

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1 each · Cloth

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