Alright, so let me tell you about this whole curtains for sliding glass doors adventure I just went through. For ages, that big glass door was just… there. Sun blazing in, neighbors getting a free show. We had some old, busted vertical blinds that I absolutely hated. They clacked, they broke, they collected dust like it was their job. Just awful.
So, What to Do?
I spent a while thinking about it. New blinds? Too expensive, and honestly, I think I’m scarred for life from the last ones. Shades? Maybe, but the good ones cost a fortune, and the cheap ones look, well, cheap. Then I thought, why not just good old curtains? Seemed simple enough. My grandma had curtains on everything, how hard could it be?
Famous last words, right? First off, finding curtains long enough and wide enough for a sliding glass door without spending a fortune was a mission. Most stores seem to think everyone has tiny windows. I wanted something that would actually block the light, you know, blackout stuff. And not look like a hotel throw-up either.
The Hunt for Rods and Fabric
I eventually found some decent panels online. Had to guess a bit with the color, but they seemed okay. Then came the curtain rod. Oh boy. You need a long one, a really long one for these doors. And strong enough so it doesn’t sag in the middle like a sad banana. I found one that extended, which seemed like a good idea. It said “easy install.” We’ll see about that.
The package arrived, and I laid everything out. Instructions looked like they were written by someone who’d never actually put up a curtain rod. Pictures were tiny. Typical.
Getting Down to Business: The Installation
Here’s how it went, more or less:
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Measuring, and Measuring Again: First, I had to figure out where the brackets would go. You want them high enough so the curtains don’t drag, but not so high you’re hitting the ceiling. And wide enough so when the curtains are open, they don’t block half the door. I must have measured that thing ten times. Used a level, too. Didn’t want a crooked rod staring back at me forever.
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Drilling – The Point of No Return: Then came drilling the holes for the brackets. My walls are drywall, so I knew I’d need anchors. The ones that came with the rod looked a bit flimsy, if I’m being honest. I almost went to the hardware store for better ones but thought, “Nah, let’s just try these.” So, I drilled, hammered in those plastic anchors – always a bit of a gamble if they’ll hold or just spin.
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Screwing in Brackets: Got the brackets screwed in. One was a bit wobbly, so I had to re-tighten it. Always something.
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Fighting the Rod: Next, threading the curtains onto the rod. That wasn’t too bad, just a bit tedious getting all the grommets (or whatever those holes are called) on there. Then, lifting that long, now curtain-laden, rod up onto the brackets. This part, I probably should’ve asked for help. It was awkward, heavy, and I nearly dropped the whole thing twice. My arms were burning.
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The Final Adjustments: Finally got it resting on the brackets. Tightened the little screws on the brackets to hold the rod in place. Stepped back. One side looked a bit lower. Of course. So, I had to fiddle with it, adjust the curtains so they hung nice. You know, the usual last-minute tweaking.
So, Was It Worth It?
Honestly, yeah. It actually looks pretty good. The curtains slide open and closed easily, which is a huge step up from those awful blinds. They block out the sun really well in the morning, so the living room doesn’t turn into an oven. And we finally have some privacy.
It was a bit more of a faff than I expected, especially finding the right stuff and wrestling with that long rod. But looking at it now, I’m glad I did it. Beats those clacky old blinds any day of the week. If you’re thinking about it, just be prepared for a bit of measuring and maybe a sore arm or two. But hey, if I can do it, anyone can.
