Plan before drilling
Rod Placement and Stack-Back
Good hardware placement can make a window feel taller and preserve daylight when curtains are open.
Start with practical ranges
When space permits, begin by testing a rod 6–10 inches above the frame and extending 6–15 inches past each side. These are planning ranges, not universal rules.
- Keep enough room for rings or grommets below the ceiling.
- Locate solid fixing points and follow bracket instructions.
- Check crown molding, trim, vents, switches and nearby walls.
Estimate stack space conservatively
Thicker fabrics, blackout/interlining, higher fullness and some headers create a wider stack. Use the 6–15 inch extension as an initial design allowance, then verify against the exact fabric and header.
For doors, ensure the open stack does not block the handle, walking path or opening leaf.
Return
The curtain wraps from the face toward the wall to reduce side light.
Overlap
Center panels pass each other or meet with extra coverage.
Projection
Bracket distance from wall must clear handles, trim and layers.
Support
Wide/heavy systems may need center or additional brackets.