Install track curtains - brittag/maintenance GitHub Wiki

Aspect	Info
Context	Residence
Date started	2023-03
Date finished	2024-09
Status	Complete
Summary of outcome	Success

Background

For a large window, we wanted two layers of curtains: a thin sheer layer and a thick opaque layer.

Problem

We wanted to install track curtains into the top of the window nook, instead of installing curtain rods on brackets that stick out into the room.

Approach

We chose the IKEA VIDGA track system. Purchased:

• Four single-track rails ($20 each) - We needed four because the window is wider than one rail.
• Four sets of gliders with hooks ($5 each)
• HILJA sheer curtains ($20) - These have a heading tape compatible with the hooks. It was helpful to go to the store in person to figure out which sheers had the desired texture.
• BLAHUVA black-out curtains ($60) - These also have a heading tape compatible with the hooks.
• SY iron-on hemming tape ($3) - Skip this if you don't need to hem the curtains or if you prefer to hem them with a sewing machine. Sewing is better, but the iron-on method is easy.

Steps for each pair of curtains:

1. Launder curtains - machine wash in cold water and line dry to minimize shrinkage. This wasn't necessary for the sheers, but the black-out curtains smelled strongly of chemicals until they were washed. Airing them out wasn't enough.
2. Watch a couple of YouTube videos about how to install VIDGA curtains
3. Cut second track piece to size
4. Connect the two track pieces to form one long track, using a connector widget provided in the track packages
5. Mark spots for screws (they just need to be in parallel with each other)
6. Drill pilot holes for screws; no anchor is needed when drilling into wood
7. Screw in the ceiling brackets/levers
8. Attach one end stopper to the track (use set screw and nut to hold it in)
9. Hem each of the two curtain panels:
   1. Measure unnecessary length from bottom to find the point that creates the correct length of curtain
   2. Iron a crease at that point
   3. Place hemming strip
   4. Iron in hemming strip
   5. Cut extra fabric (ideal to use pinking shears, but a normal pair of scissors works fine; these curtains are tightly woven, and I'm not too worried about losing some threads)
10. Snap the hooks into the tops of the curtains (in my case, I put them in every 7th or 8th small loop)
11. Put the curtains on the track
12. Attach the other end stopper to the track
13. Put the track up and flip the levers so it stays up

Outcome

This worked. Took a while to get everything and install it, but it wasn't hard.

Next steps

None