How to ceiling mount curtains?

Question

Hello

I'm looking to install some ceiling mounted curtain tracks. Theres a few joists thats running cross where I want to put the track, however theres a bit of a gap between the plaster and the wood itself.

Since there is a gap and the joist doesn't sit directly flush on the plaster, should I be using longer wood screws and attach directly onto the joists? Should I be using wood screws? If so do I need to predrill into the joist?

Or is it a better idea to attach some side beams on the underside so it sits flush on the plaster and directly attach to that?

Thanks

MitchellMc · Answer

Furring channels are typically made from fairly light-gauge metal @pearoo, so where possible, my preference would be to drill through the furring channel and fix back into the timber joist. That will give you a much more substantial fixing for the curtain track.

That said, with an 8kg curtain, self-tapping screws into the furring channel could potentially be suitable if the track provides an adequate number of fixing points to spread the load along its length. I’d still favour fixing into the joists wherever their position allows you to do so.

For the timber screws, the required length will depend somewhat on the thickness of your curtain track and mounting points. We know you have approximately 20mm between the plasterboard and joist, plus around 10mm of plasterboard, so I’d be looking at screws around 65mm long. That should allow for the track thickness while still providing a reasonable amount of penetration into the timber joist.

Mitchell

pearoo · Answer

Hi Mitchell,

Thanks for the reply. There is one window where the furring channels/battens are very conveniently spaced. Would it be okay to attach the tracks to the battens using self tapping screws? Or is there another screw I should use?

The curtains I'm looking to put up is approximately 8kgs.

If I'm attaching to the timber joist, approximately how long of the screw is considered sufficient?

MitchellMc · Answer

Thanks for the additional information, @pearoo.

If the plasterboard has been installed on furring channels, that would certainly explain the approximately 20mm gap between the plasterboard and the ceiling joists.

In that case, I’d still recommend fixing the curtain track back into the timber joists wherever possible. You’ll need timber screws long enough to pass through the track, plasterboard, the approximately 20mm void and then penetrate sufficiently into the timber joist.

One thing to be mindful of is not overtightening the screws. Since there is a gap behind the plasterboard, overtightening could potentially pull or distort the plasterboard as you tighten the track against the ceiling.

Mitchell