How to install a shower curtain

Whether used to shield your modesty or protect your bathroom from water, shower curtains are quick to install and inexpensive. Shower curtains, along with the curtain rail, can be put up in a matter of minutes and don't necessarily require tools or any particular skills to install.

Required skills

In order to install a shower curtain, you will have to know how to take accurate measurements. If you have to install a curtain rail, you may to be able to use a hammer drill to fit the correct wall plugs for your surface.

Time required

Approx. 30 mins

Number of people required

1 person

Steps

1. Taking measurements

2. Preparing the rail and shower curtain

3. Installing the rail and shower curtain

Tools and equipment

• A tape measure

• A pencil

• If installing a curtain rail: a hammer drill and wall plugs

1. Take measurements

You'll have to start by taking a few measurements.

Start with the height of the curtain rail: ideally, this should be above the level of the shower head. Be sure to pay attention to the height of your shower curtain. Most shower curtains measure around 200 cm in length. In order to effectively prevent splashes, the shower curtain should sit in your shower tray with about 2 cm to spare. Take your measurements from the shower tray or bath.

The length of the curtain rail: measure the width between the two points where your curtain rail will sit. This gap will represent the length of your rail. If you plan on installing a telescopic curtain rail, add 2 cm to your measurements. On the other hand, if you're installing a fixed rail, subtract 1 to 1.5 cm from your measurements to account for the space taken up by the fixings on each side. No matter which option you choose, your shower curtain must overhang your shower curtain or bath by around 5 to 10 cm.

2. Prepare the rail and shower curtain

Telescopic rail

Adjust the curtain rail to your desired length (+2 cm). Fit your shower curtain with the eyelets and feed them onto the rail. Finally, press down on the suction cups or pads at each end of the rail.

Fixed rail 

Mark the wall at your chosen height using the measurements taken in the previous step. This will be where you will make your holes for the fixings. Next, drill the holes. If you are drilling into tile, do not use hammer mode and, if possible, drill between the tiles. Insert the wall plugs. Fit the shower curtain with the eyelets and feed them onto the rail.

3. Install the rail and shower curtain

Telescopic rail

Compress the rail spring and place the rail at your chosen height before releasing the spring to put the suction cups or pads into contact with the walls. Check that the rail is secure and that the curtain is overhanging the shower tray on both sides.

Fixed rail

Insert the rail into the fixings. Make sure that everything is fixed and secure.

Check that the shower curtain overhangs the shower by a few centimetres on each side.