I'm not familiar with hardware generally... wondering if there is a 6-7" flat piece of metal, about 1" wide, that would extend the part from the wall piece to the rod piece of the bracket? What is it called, and where could I get it?
Asked on Nov 07, 2017
DIY curtain bracket extension piece: make from 4" to 10" return?
+12
I bought some very lightweight sheers to go about 110" of 3 windows in a row. I have a curtain rod w/ 3 brackets that project about 4", but just realized that this won't clear my 8" deep radiator. I really don't want to hang them at the sill level--really tacky for my living room and won't match my decor style. And there is no space, unfortunately, behind the radiator.
Ideally, I just want a simple fix: some bracket/flat piece of metal that would extend the wall bracket an additional six inches; I looked online for about five hours last night and found absolutely nothing that would modify the rods I have. There are 10" brackets, but they're generally $15 a pop, and since I'd need 3 at least, that's just too much. Please see the photo below.
Also good to know: I rent, so would really prefer not to mount on plaster ceiling (which is a fix I've seen).
Does anyone have a DIY idea? I'm not familiar with hardware parts generally.
Note, too, these are seriously lightweight sheers that are going up, so I'm not too concerned about support. And these are fairly cheap, lightweight brackets. That said, if anyone thinks that even a 90x50" curtain under 1 lb wouldn't be supported by this sort of thing, please let me know.
REALLY appreciate your help/advice. Need to figure this out w/o wasting so much time hunting for solutions online!
Google This Old House and see if they have an idea. They are on TV. Good Luck! had similar problems, hang in there!
You could do a steel cable from one wall to the other, as far from the radiator as you choose... 6" min. Cheapest would be a dog run plastic coated cable from a discount store, I've gotten them for $8.
At the hardware store are braces, kind of like this:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/National-Hardware-4-Pack-0-625-in-x-4-in-x-0-07-in-Zinc-plated-Flat-Brace/1000201735
You could use metal pipe to extend your rod or make your own rod using metal pipe. Lots of DIY directions for that.
The other thing you could do is hang your rod from the ceiling using fishing line so it doesn't show.
If you use your radiator: You could cut off only the part of the sheers that are over the radiator, about six inches below the top of the radiator. Hem by hand, Velcro, iron on hemming tape or stapler (!) by turning the bottom under about an inch, iron, turn it under two inches, iron, then turn it under three inches, iron and hem. These sheers won’t block the radiator, and won’t be close enough to get all steamy.
If you are trying to hide the radiator: Buy three 10-12 “ shelf brackets—the cheaper ones are often at the bottom shelf at Home Depot or Lowe’s, but they should not be more than $2 each. Paint them the color of the walls or sheers. Put the sheers on your rod, then over the brackets, just sitting on top. Through the hole closest to the end of the bracket, try to put a large safety pin through the hole and “catch up” the sheer closest to it through the pin. If the pin is not long enough, use a needle and thread or fish line to very loosely sew the sheer through the hole in the bracket. Do this for all three. Any filial or ball that is at the end should be fine, sitting on the outer edges of the sheers, just beyond the sheers. Since one of the brackets will be at the center and fastened in place, then the rod will be secure. It’s not the weight of the sheers that would make it sag; it’s the weight of the rod itself.
You could even make this a project post on Hometalk.com if you take at least four before, during and after photos of hanging these sheers out like that. Many people have the same problem. 😇🍁
How about a block of wood, painted the color of your walls and put on the wall behind your curtain rod brackets to hold them out farther. If you have more than one bracket, put wood behind them also....painted the color of your walls. Don't think they will be very noticeable. Also, an idea......I have some plant holder brackets that you screw to the wall and they come out about 9 inches and have a hook that your curtain rod would fit into. (Is the place where your hanging plant would be hung) I spray painted my plant brackets gold and used them under my cupboard bar for support. Shelf brackets, as mentioned, should work also.
Shelf brackets. If you are going to split the sheers in the middle, you won’t be able to attach the curtain through the hole in the bracket. As a matter of fact, I suggest you buy a curtain rod brace, at least for the middle. If you can get to Lowe’s, Home Depot, or maybe even JCP Penney’s on-line or in one of their large stores, maybe you can call or visit them. 😇
You could opt for hanging from the ceiling instead of projecting from the wall.
Another option is a decorative radiator cover which allows the air to flow but protects things from touching it directly.
I would take all pics of this into an Ace Hardware. The amount of knowledge the employess have is amazing. Just today went into Ace for a nipple to mount a sink Lowes didn't have the parts Sunday (it always happens on the weekends) so went to Ace today and cost less then $10 and fixed the entire problem.