1st time putting up curtain brackets

Submitted by Shakiibird t3_zwymwg in DIY

I used a stud finder (also a 1st) and there wasn't one where I wanted to put the bracket. So according to the instructions I drilled with a 3/8 bit and tried to slide in the anchors. Pic in comments is the result. I can't push the anchors deeper. Even tried a hammer. It felt like I hit something wood about 1" deep while drilling. Could that be a stud? Or maybe part of the window frame? Should I try drilling deeper or reposition? I'm in a rental so trying to do as little damage as possible. TIA!

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Motomegal t1_j1xk6tz wrote

Have you tried using a slightly longer screw without the anchor? You can definitely tell when screwing into wood versus drywall with nothing behind it. Wood will feel firm and secure.

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mike21146 t1_j1xkkoc wrote

I’m thinking you hit a metal stud. Use a small bit first then the bigger one to go deeper

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ChondroArt t1_j1xl99c wrote

I just hung up two rods I drilled till it fit. Was harder once I hit something. But it worked.

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Diabolixide t1_j1xov6u wrote

Replying to Shakiibird (#1,107,265)

So it's probably just a double stud, and could be a metal stud, both are pretty common when framing windows. But is there any plumbing that runs along that wall, like a bathroom directly above that window on the second floor (if there is one)? It would be poor construction but if there's a bathroom above it it could be a pipe (but chances are slim). Still better safe than sorry. Try holding a strong magnet up to where you've made the holes and see if there's any reaction.

You can also determine if there's a stud there by measuring out from a known stud. It's 16 inches (or if it's cheap construction, sometimes 24 inches) from center of a stud to the center of the next stud.

Edit: There are several other ways to find studs if you're unsure about the methods you're using. A quick YouTube search can show you some of the tricks that take too much space to type out.

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netherfountain t1_j1xvdoa wrote

I always just put a strip of 1x4 above the window trim, paint it the same color as the wall and screw it into known studs then I screw my curtain brackets anywhere into the 1x4. Never fails. Drywall anchors always eventually start pulling away. Might be 6 months or 10 years but they will always fail.

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Shakiibird OP t1_j1y1ozc wrote

Replying to Diabolixide (#1,107,711)

Thank you. There's no water on that side of the building so that's not a concern. I think the metal stud idea might be right. Is it safe to try to make the hole deeper or should I abandon these holes?

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Somerset76 t1_j1y8nq8 wrote

As a renter I recommend command hooks rather than drilling.

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Diabolixide t1_j1y9jb3 wrote

Replying to Shakiibird (#1,109,587)

Yes it's totally safe to drill into a metal stud. You'll need a drill bit for metal though to make the pilot hole, it will be made of cobalt (or titanium if you go premium). And you'll need a metal toggle bolt instead of a basic drywall anchor. But to backtrack a little bit, all your holes should be a minimum of 4 inches from the window frame, if that changes things at all.

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