Put up a bay window curtain track on a solid brick or block wall

Fit a curtain track around your bay window, checking for hidden cables and pipes before you drill.

CT-01Measure the bay and plan bracket spacingMeasure each section of the bay separately, then measure the full run including the angled corners. Decide how high above the window you want the track — usually 100-150mm above the frame or lintel, and wide enough to clear the glass by 100mm at each side when curtains are open. Plan bracket positions every 400-500mm along straight runs, with one bracket close to each corner (within 100mm) so the track is well supported where it bends.

1 each · Tape measure

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1 each · Pencil

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CT-02Gather tools and protect the work areaLay a dust sheet under the window to catch masonry dust and screws. Get your bay curtain track kit (usually supplied with corner joiners and brackets), masonry drill bit, wall plugs, screws, spirit level, hacksaw and safety glasses ready. Check the track kit is rated for the weight of your curtains — heavier curtains need a heavy-duty track.

1 each · Dust sheet

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1 each · Safety glasses

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CT-03Mark bracket positions and check the line is levelHold a bracket at each planned position and mark the fixing holes with a pencil. Use a spirit level across each straight run to keep the line true, and check the height is the same on both sides of the bay so the track sits evenly. Double-check your marks against the measurements from CT-01 before you drill anything.

1 each · Spirit level

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CT-04Check for cables and pipes, and know how to shut things offCables and pipes can run almost anywhere in a wall, not just in the obvious zones. Use a cable and pipe detector on every mark before you drill, but still treat the wall as if something could be there — cheap detectors miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or outside the usual safe zones. Find your stopcock now (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, so you can shut off the water fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt near sockets, switches or lighting, isolate that circuit at the consumer unit before you drill.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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CT-05Drill and plug the fixing holesFit a 6mm masonry bit and drill each mark to a depth of about 35mm, checking the wall is solid brick or block behind (not a rendered stud wall). Blow or vacuum the dust out of each hole, then tap in a 6mm x 30mm wall plug (brown Rawlplug or similar) until it sits flush. If a hole feels loose or crumbly, move it slightly and redrill rather than forcing an oversized plug in.

1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm

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12 each · Wall plugs, 6mm x 30mm (Rawlplug)

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CT-06Screw the brackets to the wallLine each bracket up with its plugged hole and drive in a 40mm No.8 pan head screw until it's tight but not overtightened, which can crack the plug. Fix every bracket before hanging any track, and recheck the whole line with a spirit level once all the brackets are up. Give each one a firm tug to make sure it's solid before moving on.

12 each · Wood/masonry screws, 40mm No.8

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CT-07Cut and join the track sectionsMeasure and cut each straight length of track to size with a hacksaw, filing off any rough edges. Connect the sections at the corners using the corner joiners or flexible connectors supplied with the kit, following the manufacturer's instructions for your particular track. Test-fit the whole assembled track along the brackets before fixing it in place, to check the corners sit at the right angle.

1 each · Bay window curtain track kit (with corner joiners)

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1 each · Hacksaw

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CT-08Clip the track onto the brackets and test the glideClip or screw the track onto each bracket as the kit instructions describe, working along the whole run. Slide a curtain hook or the track's runners along the full length by hand to check it glides smoothly around both corners, without catching or dropping.

CT-09Hang the curtainsAttach the curtain hooks or rings to the header tape at the spacing recommended for your curtain weight, then hook them onto the track runners. Draw the curtains open and closed a few times to check they move freely and sit level along the bottom hem.

1 pack · Curtain hooks

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CT-10Tidy upFold the dust sheet inward to trap the masonry dust and empty it into your household bin. Vacuum the windowsill and floor for any leftover dust or offcuts, and store any spare screws or plugs for future jobs.

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