How-to

How do I fix curtain track brackets into plasterboard or gyprock?

Fix into a timber stud wherever you can, because a loaded curtain track pulls hard on the wall. Where the bracket lands on bare plasterboard, use a rated plasterboard anchor rated for the curtain weight, not a bare screw.

1

Locate the studs

Run a stud finder across the wall above the window and mark each timber stud.
2

Position brackets on studs where you can

Line up as many brackets as possible with a stud, since a screw into timber is the strongest hold.
3

Anchor the rest into plasterboard

For brackets that land on bare plasterboard, fit a metal toggle or rated screw-in plasterboard anchor instead of a bare screw.
4

Check the load rating

Match the anchor rating to the curtain and track weight when drawn, and add brackets to spread the load on long or heavy tracks.
5

Fit the track

Mount the brackets level, then clip the track in and test it holds firmly before hanging the curtains.

Curtains and tracks carry real weight, especially full-length blockout curtains with chunky hems, so the fixing has to hold a downward and outward pull.

Find the studs first

Run a stud finder across the wall above the window and mark the timber. A screw driven straight into a stud gives you the strongest hold by a long way, so line up a bracket with a stud wherever the spacing allows.

Where there is no stud

Most windows are wider than the stud spacing, so some brackets will land on bare plasterboard. For those, use a proper plasterboard anchor (a metal toggle or a rated screw-in anchor), not a raw screw into the lining.

Match the anchor's load rating to the weight it carries, including the curtains when they are drawn.
Spread the load across more brackets if the track is long or the curtains are heavy.
Avoid plastic wall plugs sized for picture hooks. They are not rated for a loaded track.

Tip: Mounting the track into the architrave or window reveal often gives you solid timber to screw into and sidesteps the plasterboard question entirely.

Your track kit ships with fixings, but plasterboard anchors rated for your curtain weight may need to come from a hardware store. If you are unsure what your wall can hold, email info@curtainandblindco.com.au with your window details before you drill.