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Knowing how to hang curtains without drilling holes comes in handy!
If you rent an apartment, for example, you might not be permitted to make any changes or adjustments to the walls, or perhaps the walls of your house are so solid that drilling holes in them is just too difficult.
Whatever the reason, Command strips are a must-have item for every DIY interior decorator.
You can use Command strips and hooks to hang everything from curtains to artwork, posters, and more, without the need for any drilling.
If you’re seeking tips for hanging curtain rods with Command strips, you’ve come to the perfect place. Find out which ones are worth buying and how to use them to avoid future problems.
Let’s take a look.
Table of Contents
Command Strips
A Command strip is an adhesive strip that can be used in place of hammers and nails to hang various items around the house.
You can use Command strips to hang posters, photos, wall art, clocks, mirrors, or curtains without damaging the walls or other surfaces.
As long as it doesn’t exceed the weight and size constraints, a Command strip can be used to hang just about anything.
Items hung with Command strips, if applied properly, can remain in place for years.
Command Hooks Are Excellent for Hanging Curtains Without Drilling
There are several great ways to hang curtains without having to make holes in the wall.
However, while deciding which solutions are best for you, it is important to take into account your specific requirements and the layout of your home.
Command hooks are the perfect choice if you need to hang something over a door or window frame.
Command hooks work wonderfully as brackets for your curtain rod or pole.
Like Command strips, Command hooks allow you to attach things to a wall or other flat surface without making holes in the wall.
For hanging curtains, I recommend the CommandTM Forever Classic Large Metal Hooks or the CommandTM Large Timeless Hook .
10 Tips for Hanging Curtains With Command Hooks
You can use Command hooks like you would Command strips—that is, to attach items to a wall or other flat surface without drilling any holes.
They’re just shaped differently, making them a better option for securing a curtain rod or pole.
1. Surfaces Where Command Hooks Will Work
- Painted walls — Some recommend waiting 28 days after painting before using Command Hooks
- Wood
- Concrete
- Tile
- Laminates
- Varnished wood
2. Surfaces Where Command Hooks Won’t Work
- Wallpaper
- Fabrics
- Brick
- Surfaces with a texture
3. Command Strips and Weather
The reliability of Command strips can be impacted by factors like temperature and humidity, but only to a limited degree.
When subjected to extremely high temperatures, Command strips, similar to most adhesives, lose their tackiness.
Temperatures above 105°F weaken the glue on Command strips.
Also, Command strips become less reliable when exposed to high humidity. Because of this, we don’t recommend using it them the shower.
The strips may also have trouble sticking at temperatures below 59°F.
To solve this problem, you can increase the temperature of the surface to which you plan to apply the strips by warming it with a hair dryer just before you apply the strips.
If the temperature is over 23°F, Command strips will remain adhered to the surface permanently.
4. Which Command Hooks and How Many?
Choose a curtain rod that can easily slip into the hook and is both thin and lightweight.
Check that the part of the hook that attaches to the rod has a suitable diameter.
You’ll need three hooks in total: one for each side of the window frame and one for the center. If your window is particularly small, you may get away with just two.
5. How Much Can a Command Hook Hold?
Please keep in mind that the weight and size limits for each Command product are different. Because of this, it is important to choose the right product for your needs.
My advice is to go for the largest possible capacity when picking the hooks.
It doesn’t matter how many hooks you are going to use.
The total weight of the curtain, plus the weight of the curtain rod, cannot exceed the weight limit of a single hook.
Of course, more hooks will support the curtain rod better, but you always have to calculate the weight of hanging products based on the capacity of one hook.
6. Prepare the Surface Correctly
Dust, debris, or residue on the surface may prevent the adhesive from forming a strong grip.
It is not necessary to clean the entire wall. All you have to do is make sure the spot where you intend to put your hooks is ready for them.
Before applying strips, ensure the wall is clean and smooth by wiping it down with isopropyl rubbing alcohol (methylated spirits). Use a clean, soft cloth or paper towel.
If you do this, your strip will adhere to the wall securely.
Don’t use additional sprays or cleaning products on the surface since they may leave a slick film.
Remember that rubbing alcohol might strip paint if you apply too much pressure while wiping.
7. Placement of the Command Hook
Maintain two hooks between 3 and 6 inches outside the frame and one hook in the middle to guarantee that the weight is loaded evenly.
Position each of the hooks so that they are between 4 and 6 inches above the frame.
Make a mark with a pen on the wall to indicate where you want to position the Command hooks.
After positioning the Command hook against the wall in the desired location, use a pencil to make marks along the hook’s top, bottom, and side edges.
8. Attach the Command Hooks
Please make sure to read all of the directions that came with the product you purchased.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to put the Command hooks on a surface that has already been cleaned and chosen for them.
9. Press Hard
The more force you use to press the strip against the wall during installation, the more securely it will stay in place.
Make sure you push hard throughout the strip, not just in a single location.
10. Let the Hooks Bond to the Wall
Wait an hour after attaching a Command hook to a wall before using it to hang anything.
During this period, the glue will bond to the wall’s surface.
Don’t try to install the curtain rod in less than an hour because the hooks may become loose.
How Much Weight Can Command Strips Hold?
What kind of command strip you’re using will determine the correct answer.
As a comparison, the heavy-duty strips can support up to 12 pounds, whereas the standard foam strips can only sustain up to 4 pounds.
Yet, a wide variety of Command strips are available, each with its own level of holding power.
- Small: up to 4 lbs
- Medium: up to 12 lbs
- Large: 16 pounds or more
- Extra Large: up to 20 lbs
Make sure the item you want to hang doesn’t weigh more than what the product can handle. This can cause items to fall, which could be a safety hazard.
How Long Do Command Strips Last?
Command strips are long-lasting and will adhere to their surfaces for as long as needed.
However, there are two things that can be done to extend the lifespan of Command strips.
Your strips will last longer if you keep your home’s temperature and humidity levels stable.
Make sure the weight of the items you want to hang is less than the maximum weight rating of the Command strips. This will make them last even longer.
Removing Command Strips and Hooks
Stretching
If you have something hanging on your Command strips, the first thing you will need to do is take it down so you have access to the strip’s adhesive area.
Grasp the object’s bottom half and lift it off the strip in an upward motion.
To remove the strip, grasp the tab on the adhesive section and pull gently, stretching it until the strip is released.
Heating
If you experience problems removing the Command strip, try using a heat gun.
For approximately 30 seconds, hold the heat gun a several feet away from the Command strip. Make sure to heat the entire strip by moving the gun in a circular motion.
When the strip is warm enough, take hold of the tab and stretch until the strip comes off the wall.
If you don’t have a heat gun, try a hairdryer instead. You can hold the hairdryer much closer to the strip when heating it.
Final Thoughts
In many cases, drilling holes in the walls of your home to hang curtains or simply hang a picture is way too inconvenient. It’s messy and tricky, and not everyone has a drill anyway.
Command strips and hooks, on the other hand, are strong, they last long, and they are incredibly convenient. It’s as simple as exposing the adhesive area and pressing the strip to the wall.
And when you feel like moving things around or changing their position, Command strips are easily removable. Simply pull the tab and stretch it out until the strip is released.
Resources
- https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-use-command-strips-258206
- https://www.commandbrand.com.au/3M/en_AU/command-au/hooks-strips/picture-hanging-strips/
- https://homelyville.com/command-strips-weight-limits/
- Command Large Traditional Plastic Hook
- https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/command-hooks-hanging-tips/