How Do I Connect a Cubical Curtain Track to the Deck?
- 1). Measure the height of your deck railing. Subtract this length from the length of the curtains that you need to install. This will give you the height of the framing that has to be installed. Measure the distance around your deck's perimeter to determine the amount of lumber that you will need to purchase for the project. Remember that you will only need a curtain on three sides of most decks.
- 2). Buy enough treated studs to go around the perimeter of your deck two times plus the number of studs that you need for the uprights in the framing. Plan for one upright stud for each 32 inches of length. Purchase treated 4 x 4 lumber for the corner posts. Finally, you will need enough treated 1 x 8 lumber to go around the perimeter once.
- 3). Cut each of the 4 x 4 posts and upright studs with a saw 4 inches shorter than the height that the final framing that you are adding to the top of your deck railing will be. Lay the first 4 x 4 post on the ground. Lay a stud at each 32-inch interval until it is time for the next 4 x 4 post. Lay the second post on the ground. Lay 2 x 4 studs on the ground at the top and bottom of these boards. You will start the construction with the frame that will sit on the rail that does not abut the house.
- 4). Measure over 2 inches from the terminal edge of each post on the top and bottom and mark it with a pencil. Line up the end of the top and bottom 2 x 4 plate boards with the mark on the first post. Attach the first post to the bottom and top 2 x 4 plates with 2.5-inch drywall screws using a cordless electric drill and screwdriver bit. Do the same with the 4 x 4 post on the other end. Attach each of the studs to both plates with drywall screws.
- 5). Cut a notch 2 inches wide by 3.5 inches long in the top and bottom plate boards at the end of the boards where they will join with first wall. These notches will allow you to fit the plates into the space that was left after you marked the posts and attached the first plates to the post along the mark.
- 6). Lay one post on the ground along with the upright studs for that frame. When you have the last stud in place, you will not need another post because you will attach the frame to the post from the first frame that you built. Fasten the plates all of the way to the edge of the post at the top and bottom. Continue as before and attach each of the studs to the top and bottom plates. Make the frame for the other side in the same way.
- 7). Lift the first frame that you built onto the rail that does not abut the house. Use drywall screws and the cordless electric screwdriver to attach the frame to the rail. Install a screw every 10 inches. Lift either of the other frames and slip them into position on the deck rail. Screw the frame to the rail in the same way as before. Repeat the process for the other side of the deck. Install screws into the piece left from the notch that you cut on the top plate of the side frames to fasten them to the posts.
- 8). Measure back from the outside corners 15 inches in each direction and mark the top plates at this point. Cut the 1 x 8 boards the length so that they can be attached to the top plate and cover the entire plate except for the 15 inches on each end of the plate. Fasten the 1 x 8 boards to the top plates between the marks with the extra width sticking out to the inside of the deck. Cut two pieces of 1 x 8 to reach across the corners where the marks were made on the top plates. Fasten all of the 1 x 8 boards with drywall screws to the top plate.
- 9). Install the curtain track along the 1 x 8 boards with screws that will either come with the track or with the type of screws recommended by the manufacturer. Use curved pieces at the outside corners so the curtain can be easily opened and closed when desired. Slide the curtain hangers into the track with enough hangers to match the number of eyes at the top of the curtain. Hang the curtain on the hangers to complete the job.
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