Calamity Kris Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 All of the windows in this house are unframed, as you see in the picture below, modeled by my lovely Zoe. The walls consist of sheetrock covering cinder block. I would like to hang curtain rods and valances to brighten up the rooms. Is there a way to hang the rods without drilling into the cinder block? I tried some Command hook and loop on the curtain rods but it wasn't strong enough to hold them to the wall. I have also tried the screws that came with the rods. That's how I discovered the cinder block. Would something like hot glue work? Any other ideas are welcome. Thanks!!
Marshal Hangtree Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 Hot glue is not going to support the curtain rod/blinds, Kris. You would be gluing to the paint, not the cinder block. You would effectively only have the holding power of the paint to the block, which isn't much as paint often just chips right off. You'll either have to frame inside of the cinder block with wood, or drill and use the plastic screw backers in the block. Or, you could just have the cat hold them up. MH
Subdeacon Joe Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 Unless you build some sort of support frame you are going to have to drill into the cinder block.
Sedalia Dave Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 I don’t have the info in front of me but 3M has some exceptionally strong double sided tape. I’ll post it later this evening when I get home.
Pat Riot Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 I agree with Sedalia Dave. 3M VHB Heavy Duty Mounting Tape 5952 (Multiple Sizes) This stuff really works. You can select your width and length. You could suspend your blinds easily with this. As long as you have a good paint base/ https://www.amazon.com/3M-Heavy-Mounting-Multiple-Sizes/dp/B01EOEW25S Steer clear of the 3M foam double sided tape. It doesn’t last.
Captain Clark Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 Your local hardware store { Ace, Tru Value, etc} will be able to help you out with the appropriate size masonry bit and tamp in inserts to properly mount the curtain rods. Your might spend $15-$25 at the most for the materials you'll need to do several windows. Its not so difficult and If you have a drill and tape measure you ought to be good to go! Most any other way to attempt hanging curtain rods is folly IMO
Subdeacon Joe Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 24 minutes ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: You could suspend your blinds easily with this. As long as you have a good paint base/ She said it is sheet rock over cinderblock. She would be relying on the strenth of the paper to hold the rods and the blinds. Doesn't sound like a match made in heaven to me.
Subdeacon Joe Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 8 minutes ago, Captain Clark said: Its not so difficult and If you have a drill and tape measure you ought to be good to go! Most any other way to attempt hanging curtain rods is folly IMO And a good level. Or a level/crosshair app on your phone.
Calamity Kris Posted May 12, 2019 Author Posted May 12, 2019 I have a couple of levels so I've got that part covered. There are ~14 windows in the house we will be adding valances to. Me with a hammer drill X 14 windows sounds like a match made in hell, which is why I was looking for an alternative. Since it sounds like the drill is the only choice, I will have to take it really slowly. My shoulder will not hold out for more than a couple at a time. Thanks,
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 it's amazing how quickly a job can be finished doing just a few at a time. secret is to force yourself to see it through. I've done several jobs around the house that have taken a number of days/weeks and as long as I had a schedule and kept to it I got them done. good looking cat--but then more cats are
Rye Miles #13621 Posted May 12, 2019 Posted May 12, 2019 I just was looking at some blinds at Home Depot today and saw some that have double sided tape. The package says “no tools required “. I’m looking for something else but I noticed these.
The Shoer 27979 Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 Kris, they have self tapping concrete screws, they are called tapcon, come in different sizes easy to use. Use them the same way you would use a screw to hang your curtain. You do need a drill for them
Utah Bob #35998 Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, The Shoer 27979 said: Kris, they have self tapping concrete screws, they are called tapcon, come in different sizes easy to use. Use them the same way you would use a screw to hang your curtain. You do need a drill for them Tapcons are the answer if you’re dealing with concrete.
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 10 hours ago, The Shoer 27979 said: Kris, they have self tapping concrete screws, they are called tapcon, come in different sizes easy to use. Use them the same way you would use a screw to hang your curtain. You do need a drill for them Tapcin screws still need a smalllpilot hole, but they are very easy to use. That would be my vote.
Michigan Slim Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 Oh man, those windows would look really nice trimmed out. Then you could mount rods to the trim. I don't just get voices in my head. I get pictures too. I can see them complete and it's really cool. Even a plant shelf for the sill.
Duffield, SASS #23454 Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 31 minutes ago, Michigan Slim said: Oh man, those windows would look really nice trimmed out. Then you could mount rods to the trim. I don't just get voices in my head. I get pictures too. I can see them complete and it's really cool. Even a plant shelf for the sill. How are you going to anchor the trim to the window? Won't that still involve drilling holes for the tapcins/anchors? Duffield
Assassin Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 I do this stuff for a living. Just use a hammer drill and drill the holes. Place the anchors in the holes, then attach the brackets to the wall, done. Over thinking and looking for an easy way out just wastes time. Sticky tape products are not very successful. Tapcons work about half the time. Takes the proper tools and strength to install them properly. Do it right the first time and you're done. Once you've figured out how to attach things to block and concrete you'll use that knowledge for lots of other projects. Just do it!
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 23 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said: Unless you build some sort of support frame you are going to have to drill into the cinder block. Even then.....!?
Michigan Slim Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 7 hours ago, Duffield, SASS #23454 said: How are you going to anchor the trim to the window? Won't that still involve drilling holes for the tapcins/anchors? Duffield Anchor the trim. Curtain rods attach to the trim.
Assassin Posted May 14, 2019 Posted May 14, 2019 There should be some type of wood framing around the window. Probably, 1 x 3 pine. Unless, they glued the drywall directly to the CMU.
Dirty Dan Dawkins Posted May 14, 2019 Posted May 14, 2019 My vote is for a 1/4” hole, 1/4” x 1 1/2” long lead anchor and 1 1/4” #10 sheet metal screw for this application in concrete block. I don’t like or use plastic anchors. But I have to ask, how are those blinds attached? Wood screws or concrete anchors? In my limited experience on concrete and block structures, window and door openings are typically framed with 2x4 (or 6 or 8) for windows and doors to nail/screw to. I still think I’d check and see if there is wood under that sheet rock within the first couple inches up from the top, and to the sides of the finished window opening, but no more higher or wider than that. Too high or wide and you’d miss any wood underneath and be back in block again. Hopefully there’s some wood there, and you could simply use a drywall or wood screw.
Calamity Kris Posted May 14, 2019 Author Posted May 14, 2019 No wood frame around the windows. If I were to guess, the blinds are mounted into the concrete. They were part of the house when we purchased it so I don't know for sure. If I get a chance, I'll take a picture of the hole I started with, You can clearly see concrete under the drywall.
Assassin Posted May 15, 2019 Posted May 15, 2019 I looked at the first picture more thoroughly. It appears that the drywall or plaster is attached directly to the CMU, concrete masonry unit (block). You're going to have to drill into the block and use anchors. Plastic anchors will work and are more forgiving if you don't drill exact centers. You may want to get a small punch and make a little dimple where the hole needs to be drilled, it'll make it easier to start the drill. Also, use a drill with a clutch, set it to a light setting until you figure out how much effort is needed to tighten the screws then increase the clutch tension. Use hex head screws and they can be removed much easier than phillips heads.
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