Attaching tulle to plastic windows

What are the types of curtains for a plastic window?

Designers go to all kinds of tricks to make plastic windows look homely: they install the usual vents, add frames. But if the windows in your apartment still resemble office windows, curtains will help correct the situation. Ordinary floor-length curtains and tulle curtains on high cornices do not harmonize with such glazing. Here you need suitable curtains for plastic windows that will not violate the laws of aesthetics.

To decorate your plastic windows with the latest in design, you should pay attention to the following types of curtains:

Pleated curtains – also known as “Pleated curtains”. The fabric with an antistatic coating gathers like an accordion when you need to roll up the curtain and let sunlight into the room. Depending on the design, the window can be opened slightly either from the bottom or from the top.
Roman blinds - when unfolded, they are a straight piece of fabric, but when you need to open the window glass, they, starting from the bottom edge, gather into beautiful horizontal deep folds. It is quite possible to sew such a design yourself with your own hands.
Roller blinds are perfect for living rooms, kitchens or balconies. They are made of fabric and fastened with Velcro or brackets.

There are open and closed types of roller blinds. Open ones are fabric twisted into a dense roller, which is placed directly above the window. When closed and folded, they are hidden in a special cassette and are practically invisible.

Closed roller blinds for plastic windows (video)

Necessary measurements before installation

They need to be completed not even before installation, but at an even earlier stage - before purchase. If you miss the width and height, the fabric may interfere with the opening and closing of the window. After a few weeks of use, the corner of the cornice will easily crumble the putty on the slope and hollow out a small but unsightly depression in it. Moreover, clinging to the handle of the glass unit, the cut edge will fray, and the structure itself will fall off the Velcro. And problems with darkening cannot be avoided - there will always be gaps.

Measurements are performed with a regular tape measure. Having decided what type of roller curtains you want, determine the width, height of the opening and individual sashes. Let us remind you that you can adjust a long open-type roller shutter to the desired size. This is generally not difficult, but you will have to tinker.

You will need:

pencil
tape measure or ruler
scissors, stationery knife
metal hacksaw for shortening the rod
file (sandpaper will also work).

You can work on the floor, because not every home has tables that can accommodate an unfolded curtain. You will have to disassemble it into individual components: shaft, fabric (or bamboo), weighting material.

How to shorten a curtain

Cut the rod exactly to the required width. Finish the edge with a file or sandpaper to remove nicks.
Mark the canvas exactly how you want to cut it. It should be 8–10 mm narrower than the shaft. Use only well-sharpened scissors.
Using a hacksaw, adjust the length of the finishing strip so that the curtain is 10–15 mm wider than it.
Now you can assemble the components again into a single system: tuck the curtain into the weighting material, put it on the shaft, secure the plugs and roll the material into a roll.

Make sure that the chain does not get tangled and does not go astray from the rotation wheel.

Types of sun blinds on plastic windows

For owners of apartments whose windows face south, a pressing issue is the choice of curtains that serve as reliable protection against sunlight entering the room on hot summer days. Such products are subject to increased requirements.

In particular, they should be:

Made from high-quality fabric that will not fade in the sun;
Reflect the sun's rays to protect the apartment not only from bright light, but also from the heat in hot weather.

For this purpose, those who prefer roller blinds need to choose a product made from heat-resistant and light-proof blackout material. This fabric ensures a comfortable sleep even in white nights, as it is capable of blocking the sun's rays up to 100%.

A popular option for plastic windows are day-night sunshades, also known as zebra shades. They are easily recognized by their distinctive feature - an unusual design in which transparent horizontal stripes alternate with opaque lamellas. Due to this, you can adjust the level of penetration of bright sunlight into the room, up to complete shading of the room.

Blinds are effective in combating the bright scorching sun. Blinds with wooden slats or horizontal stripes of fabric will fit well into your home interior.

Multi-textured blinds with vertical slats will give plastic windows an original appearance. Combinations of wood, fabric, plastic, and metal allow you to create unique compositions that will become a unique highlight of the interior. Such products are often complemented with lambrequins.

Degree of transparency

The material for making roller shutters is most often dense fabric. It can be cotton, synthetics or mixed materials. The degree of transparency varies depending on the fabric. Based on this feature, three types of roller shutters are distinguished; they are presented in the table.

Curtain type	Properties
Blackout	Light reflection is about 95%. They do not allow light to pass through, they block cold and street noise.
Dimout	Complete darkness is possible only at night; during the day they are translucent. They allow diffused light to pass through, shading the room.
Transparent	They do not block the penetration of sunlight into the room. In natural light, the view of the interior of the room from the street is blocked.

Relatively recently, an interesting variety has appeared, with the ability to regulate the degree of illumination of the room. It is called a day/night or zebra roller blind. These are two panels, each of which is assembled from strips of transparent and light-proof fabric. The strips move one relative to the other, either completely darkening the room or allowing access to the sun's rays.

The materials for making roller shutters are impregnated with special compounds, so they repel dirt, do not attract dust, and do not become electrified. The finishing of the panels can be very different. Photo printing has been especially popular lately, which allows you to create very interesting solutions for interior design.

Features of fastening for curtains on plastic windows

Curtains for plastic windows do not have the usual hooks or loops, and they do not use eyelets. Therefore, such curtains cannot be hung on ordinary curtain rods or threaded through baguettes. To attach roller blinds or blinds, it will be necessary to mount the structure directly on the plastic profile.

There are different installation methods.

For curtains on the window fixation can be used:

Latches;
Self-tapping screws;
Brackets;
Liquid Nails;
Double sided tape.

Each method has both its tangible advantages and some disadvantages. Self-tapping screws and brackets, if used carelessly, will break the tightness of the plastic window, but they hold the heavy structure well. It is recommended to attach lightweight curtains with Velcro. Using liquid nails for installation will make it difficult to replace old curtains with new ones in the future. The latches are not suitable for all types of structures, but they cling directly to the window sash and are easy to replace open roller blinds with.

Main methods and their advantages

Despite the similarity in design of all models of roller blinds, there are noticeable differences between them. Therefore, before choosing a specific mounting method, it is worth studying the roller blinds you are purchasing.

Here are the main points by which such structures are classified:

Length. The canvas is selected so as to hide the window sill or leave the possibility of its use.
Canvas material. Not only its ability to reflect sunlight, but also the overall weight of the structure depends on the density of the material. The denser the fabric, the greater the total weight.
Design features. If the Mini and Classic types are installed at the top of the window, then the Mix type seems to be upside down. Its roll is installed at the bottom, and the fastening, as a rule, is made directly to the frame.

Roller designs combine perfectly with other types of curtains and can only act as part of the window decor. Of course, in this case the installation becomes more complicated, since additional calculations are required so that all the elements do not interfere with each other.

As a rule, the roller shutter kit includes everything necessary to attach it to the wall and prepare it for use. But before starting installation, you must carefully check the completeness. It is better to immediately discover that something is missing and go to the store for the missing parts, rather than waste time on fruitless improvisations.

Roll structures can be attached in different ways:

to the window opening (vertical or horizontal slope);
to Wall;
to the ceiling;
directly to the window frame.

The latter option is considered the most convenient - this installation method does not interfere with opening the sashes and gives the window a modern look. However, it is somewhat more labor-intensive, since you have to attach a separate roller shutter to each sash.

In any case, the fastening elements are either self-tapping screws or double-sided tape.

Self-tapping screws

A reliable way to attach to a window opening, wall or ceiling. As a rule, a bracket with a spring latch is attached to the wall with self-tapping screws. Such brackets are made of metal or plastic. The roller blind itself is inserted into the bracket and snaps into place.

The advantage of this method is high reliability of fastening. This technology is recommended for heavy metal models with dense fabric.

Before installing the brackets, it is worth assessing the quality of the self-tapping screws in the kit and, if necessary, replacing them with longer ones made of a durable steel alloy.

The disadvantage of this method is that you need an impact drill and some skills to work with it.

An option for fastening with self-tapping screws to a plastic frame is also possible. This is how brackets for Mini type structures are attached. This technology is much simpler, but there are holes in the plastic that will be noticeable after dismantling the curtain.

Double-sided tape: pros and cons

Tape with adhesive applied on both sides is the best option for those who do not want to bother with screws. You just need to cut out the squares of the desired size and stick them on the brackets. Then peel off the protective film on the second side and firmly glue the bracket to the plastic of the frame.

The main disadvantage of the method is that the fastening is not very reliable. But for lightweight plastic models, such fasteners will be quite sufficient. The second drawback is that after peeling off the brackets, traces of glue will remain on the frames. But they are easy to remove with a special cleaning liquid.

If there is no special composition at hand, vegetable oil is used to wipe off glue stains.

How to attach curtains to plastic windows with your own hands

The most popular type of fastening of common roller blinds, suitable for a plastic window, is fixing directly on the window. To avoid drilling unnecessary holes in the profile, it is recommended to use removable latches that can be attached directly to the sash.

For this:

It is necessary to first degrease the junction of the plastic and the latch.
Cut out the appropriate size of double-sided tape, which will securely secure the latch and the window sash.
Secure the movable shaft holders to the installed latches.
Install a shaft with curtain fabric between them.
Attach a spike with a gear for the chain mechanism to the shaft.

How to install roller blinds on a plastic window (video)

There is no need to doubt whether a plastic window will fit into your home interior. The modern market is overflowing with offers that are designed to decorate this type of glazing in the best possible way both in residential high-rise buildings and country houses. And attaching curtains to a plastic window is not difficult if you know some of the subtleties of such installation.

There are many methods used to attach curtains. Among them are Velcro, with which you can install curtains made of various materials.

Velcro curtains are convenient and practical primarily because they do not require holes drilled in plastic or wood

Velcro curtains, description, fastening features, design options

Velcro - that's what it's officially called - has proven its effectiveness. With its help, you can install curtains without cornices on plastic and wooden windows. They are especially convenient to use in small rooms, where the cornice may look bulky, and a curtain that does not fit closely to the wall makes the room visually even smaller.

Using Velcro for small windows allows you to get rid of bulky curtain rods

What is Velcro

This type of fastening is used quite widely: in the manufacture of garments, shoes, accessories and other goods. It consists of two tape elements: on one there are microhooks, and on the other there are the same small loops. When both tapes touch, the hooks cling to the loops, sticking tightly to each other.

Self-adhesive Velcro tape or Velcro

Product advantages

The convenience of Velcro is that they can be mounted on windows even if there is no cornice, which saves space and money. Other advantages include:

long service life and preservation of technical characteristics;
ease of installation and maintenance: they are easy to remove, wash, dry and iron.
Velcro curtains can be used for any interior and style direction.

Velcro fastening to a plastic window does not violate the integrity of the window

How to install curtains on a window without drilling

Traditionally, to hang a curtain, you first need to install the curtain rod by first drilling holes in the wall. Then install the holders for it and secure them securely.

Fastening individual sheets of Japanese curtains with Velcro

However, many novice home craftsmen are interested in how to attach a curtain to a plastic window, but avoid drilling. This can be done by taking advantage of the Velcro fastening options for curtains. This fastening method can be used when installing:

Roman blinds, including roller blinds;
curtains made in the oriental style, in its broadest sense;

Japanese Velcro curtains will look good in a small living room

Curtains with Velcro loops are similar to regular curtains; to remove them, just undo the Velcro

Installing curtains with Velcro yourself

Before you start decorating the curtain with Velcro, you need to decide where to attach it: to a wall, a plastic or wooden window, and then:

cut a strip of fabric from 5 to 12 cm wide, depending on the purpose and density of the curtain;

We take measurements of the window with allowance for Velcro and seams at the top and bottom

We cut out the curtains according to size, fold the sides of the curtain, then the bottom of the curtain using the soft part of the Velcro on the wrong side

For each curtain we sew 4 ties from the same or a different fabric

To the top of the curtain from the front side, pin soft Velcro, measure 7 cm from the edge of the curtain, place one tie under the Velcro from below, stitch

Roller shutter design

There are many types of light-protective sheets, but they have common features. All of them consist of a metal tube-roller, or rod, on which fabric is wound: bamboo or cotton material. The length is adjusted using a chain that is attached to a rotating mechanism on one side of the roll.

Usually at the bottom of the curtain there is a steel or wooden weight bar that protects it from deformation, allows it to hang evenly and fit tightly to the glass. The latter is achieved using a pair of small magnets that are glued to the bottom of the frame and attract the weighting material, if it is metal.

You can take a more complicated route and thread a fishing line through the guides, which will hold the roller shutter during wind fluctuations and opening in the “window” mode. It must first be threaded into the upper fasteners several times so that when tensioned it does not pull out. Unwind it all the way and insert it into the special eyelet on the weight bar. At the bottom of the frame, attach small corners with holes for fishing line. Pull it there, tie it, cut off the excess.

Sometimes manufacturers install a spring inside the shaft. In this case, there is no need to fiddle with the cord with your hands to open or close the “roll”. It is enough to pull the plumb line located on the bottom bar with a little effort.

Loggia or balcony: how to attach curtains with Velcro

Today it is customary to use a balcony or loggia as a living space, which often turns into another makeshift room. In addition to other fastening methods, loggia curtains can be installed with Velcro.

Velcro curtains are often used to cover windows on balconies and loggias.

However, their use requires compliance with additional conditions that will ensure the strength and reliability of the curtains.

Do-it-yourself Velcro curtains for the balcony have a certain difficulty in installation, since the windows installed here reach the very top, and they can be strengthened with great difficulty. It is impossible to install a cornice, curtains on nails are not aesthetically pleasing, and the most effective and aesthetic way would be to use Velcro.

An excellent option is to use Roman blinds. They have a number of advantages:

do not interfere with opening windows;
do not flutter from gusts of wind;
do not require significant material costs;
used in various colors.

Attention! Do not forget that the design features of balconies and loggias require significant air movement, so heavy fabrics are inappropriate here.

The best choice for balcony curtains would be tulle, muslin, organza, silk, cambric, curtain fabric.

The fabric can be attached to a block with Velcro, then installed on the window frame and secured with fasteners.

Adhesive tape is attached to the wooden slats using glue or a stapler, and the slats are attached to the wall with self-tapping screws

Design options for balconies and loggias can be found on websites where color photos are posted.

Video: We sew curtains on loops with Velcro.

It is not always possible or desirable to hang curtains in the traditional way - on a cornice. After all, it must be attached to the wall with special tools, screws, a drill and who knows what. And this will lead to debris from crumbling plaster, dust and, as a result, cleaning. You will have to spend time on installation, cleaning, and then hanging the curtains... And now, everything is beautiful, great, but there is no energy left for joy.

But there are options when you can do without drilling and complex installation. In this case, the view of the window opening will only benefit.

How to hang curtains without a curtain rod

Mounting options and variety of designs

cascading. In any form, they fall in cascading waves;
classic. Both folded and unfolded, they fall in an even rectangle;
frameless. They do not have cords in the mechanism, so when closed they fall in beautiful arcs.

on the window sash. The window sill will remain free, and the functionality of the window will remain the same. The only drawback is the sagging of the curtain when closed. Easy to fix with magnets;
on the frame . An excellent option if flowers are grown on the windowsill. Even with the curtain closed, the window sill will be free. And with frontal ventilation, no difficulties will arise;

Advice! If you need to combine different curtains, you can hang classic ones in addition to Roman ones.

above the window opening. Suitable if there is a need to visually enlarge the window opening or hide slopes;
to the ceiling . Used when you need to cover an entire wall or nearby windows.

Mounting method

When mounted on a sash or window frame, no additional tools are needed. The window opening will not be damaged and its tightness will remain the same. If you use ready-made Roman blinds, the kit includes double-sided tape.

Step by step instructions:

Align one part of the adhesive tape to the width of the window and attach it to the frame.
Sew the second part of the tape to the blinds.
Align the fabric, press both parts of the adhesive tape against each other. This completes the installation.

Another way is to mount it on a spring bracket. The integrity of the window opening will not be damaged. This method is suitable for opening doors.

Step by step instructions:

Attach the blinds to the shutters, mark the position of the fasteners.
Secure the bracket in the desired location.
Place the side covers on the structure.
Insert the roller with the blind into the connection.
Make sure everything works correctly.
Install the position limiter at the bottom. Sticky tape or a magnet will do.

Telescopic cornice

This mounting option does not require installation and upon purchase, the price will pleasantly surprise you. The only feature that needs to be taken into account is that it is suitable for light fabrics weighing no more than 5 kg.

Mounting method

Mark the attachment points and measure the length of the opening.
Secure the device. To do this, press on a tube of smaller diameter and install it between the walls.
Release this part of the bar. The spring located inside will fix the crossbar.

Important! Not all models have a spring for fixation. In another option, you will need to screw the moving part of the pipe along the thread until the desired size is reached. Next, secure with a clamp.

On hooks

For this method you will need hooks. When choosing, pay attention to how much weight one hook is designed for . This will determine how many pieces you need to purchase.

For example, if the weight of curtain fabric is 5 kg, and one hook can hold 2 kg, then you need to buy 3 hooks. You will need a cornice, it should be light. To install hooks, degrease the surface. Attach hooks, install curtain rods, hang curtains. At this point, the installation will be completed, and the walls will remain intact.

Dimensions

They are different. The length can reach 1.5 m. The standard width is 50 cm, but there are models 30 cm, 150, and more. Very small roller blinds, designed literally for one double-glazed window, are called “mini”. Sometimes they are hung together with ordinary curtains, especially if you need to combine two tasks: to make the atmosphere cozy and to shade the room as much as possible.

Open

They are also called classic. The shaft on which the roll is wound is visible to everyone, but this does not spoil the interior. Moreover, there is a significant plus. The crossbar can be shortened if you have the right tools. The canvas itself can also be adjusted to fit the opening if you made a mistake with the dimensions or simply did not find the ideal option in the store.

Open structures are most often installed on small windows. Those that can be hung without drilling the frame have PVC clips on both sides of the top edge; they have holes into which both ends of the metal rod are then inserted. These clamps are held on fasteners that are pre-drilled to the wall with screws.

Models that require mounting directly on the frame can be mounted either with self-tapping screws or Velcro. The first option is the most reliable, but it’s not suitable for everyone: the warranty on double-glazed windows expires or you don’t want holes to remain on the crossbar after removing the decor. The second method is especially good for “mini” type products, which, due to their low weight, can be held for years on corner clamps that are placed on the open sash.

Cassette

They, like their open counterparts, come in different sizes, including “standard” and “mini”. You can also fix them using self-tapping screws or double-sided tape. They differ from the previous category in appearance: the textile roller is hidden in a compact plastic box located on the frame. And they are not attached to the wall above the opening - this is a purely window structure. They cost more than the first type, but they look neater.

Cassette varieties, both with and without a spring, are mounted only on glazing beads, and not on the entire opening. They are particularly demanding in terms of measurement accuracy. Otherwise, the cassette will not fit or the rod will not be enough to “catch” the opposite edges of the sash. Please note that when unfolded they cover about half of the window sill. Therefore, if it is occupied by flowers or other decor, it is better to choose a system that is installed above the opening. Otherwise, it will not be possible to fully expand it.