How to Hang Curtains With Tension Cords

Installing a tension cord or cable can provide an elegant solution for window curtains or room dividers. Tension cable has the advantage of accommodating curtains with practically any type of hanging device, such as rings, hooks or fabric rod pockets. Another advantage of the tension cable is that it provides nearly invisible support. Although a tension cord works well even across a long expanse, it’s important to choose a relatively lightweight fabric for the curtain, to avoid sagging. You can find tension cord kits at home project stores or purchase the supplies separately.

Pencil
2 hooks
Electric drill
Anchors such as nylon fasteners
Screwdriver
Tension wire such as aircraft cable
Wire rope clips
Turnbuckle
Wire snips

Instructions

- 1
  Use a pencil to mark the location for the hooks to suspend the cable. Measure carefully so that the marks on either side of the space you wish to cover are even with each other.
- 2
  Use an electric drill to drill holes into the marks.
- 3
  Insert anchors into the holes. Nylon fasteners that expand behind the drywall provide the most secure fastening. A simple expansion anchor can be easily pulled out of the wall by the force of the cable’s tension.
- 4
  Screw hooks into the anchors. Be sure that the hooks are inserted tightly so they can withstand the force of the cable.
- 5
  Loop one end of some tension wire, such as aircraft cable, through one of the hooks. Secure it with a wire rope clip.
- 6
  Open the turnbuckle to its fully extended position. Attach it to the opposite hook.
- 7
  Pull the cable, ensuring that it is taut but not stretched too tight, across the expanse to the turnbuckle. Use wire snips to cut excess cable, allowing about 6 extra inches of cable as a margin of error and to accommodate fastening the wire rope clip.
- 8
  Remove the turnbuckle from the hook. Use a wire rope clip to attach the cable securely to the turnbuckle.
- 9
  Place the turnbuckle back on the second hook so that the cable is now stretched across the expanse.
- 10
  Tighten the turnbuckle as necessary to make the cable rigid.
- 11
  Trim any excess cable wire.
- 12
  Hang curtains from the cable. If your curtains must be threaded onto the cable, you can remove the cable from either hook. Keep a tight grip so that the cable doesn’t flip from your hand.

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