Keeping Outdoor Curtains Down with Weights

Swaying gently in the breeze, outdoor curtains can add beauty and privacy to porches, patios, and other outdoor living spaces. However, when the wind really kicks up, billowing curtains can get damaged, look unkempt, and even block views or access.

Luckily, there are easy solutions for weighing down outdoor curtains to keep them in place even on blustery days. With a few simple weights, ties, magnets, or other accessories, you can stop curtains from blowing around while still allowing them to move slightly for a natural look.

Why Weigh Down Outdoor Curtains

Outdoor curtain panels are designed to provide shade and seclusion, but they tend to be lightweight and prone to catching the wind. Without enough weight, curtains will blow sideways or upwards, exposing the interior space and potentially snapping curtain rods or pulling down hardware.

Weighing down curtains prevents wind damage and other issues like:

• Tangled, twisted panels
• Ripped seams, holes, fraying
• Curtains blowing into seating areas
• Reduced privacy and shade
• Constant flapping noise
• Stress on curtain rods and hangings

With the right amount of weight, outdoor curtains will gracefully hang down, only moving slightly in a breeze. Weighting provides a tidy, intentional look while securing your curtains.

Choosing the Right Weights for Outdoor Curtains

Weight Options for Outdoor Curtains

There are several ways to weigh down outdoor curtains:

• Sewn-In Weights: Curtains come with enclosed weights stitched into the hem or have pockets where weights can be inserted.
• Removable Curtain Weights: Separate weights attach onto the bottom hem with velcro, hooks, clips or ties.
• Weighted Rods and Bars: Curtain rods have built-in weights or can accommodate weighted accessories.

Consider the pros and cons of each method when selecting curtain weights:

• Sewn-in weights: Permanent, effective, evenly distributed, but not adjustable.
• Removable weights: Adjustable, but may shift and fall off.
• Weighted rods: Convenient and built-in, but fixed weight, may sag over time.

Amount of Weight Needed for Outdoor Curtains

The amount of weight needed depends on curtain size and material, rod length, and wind exposure. As a general guideline:

• Size: Larger curtains need more weight distributed across the bottom hem.
• Material: Sheer or lightweight fabrics require less weight than heavy fabrics like canvas.
• Length: Longer curtain rods need more weight to keep curtains taut.
• Wind: Exposed areas need more weight to counter stronger gusts.

For average outdoor curtains, the total weight needed is about 1/2 to 1 ounce per linear inch. Measure your rod length and multiply by 0.5-1 ounce per inch. Then distribute weight evenly across the bottom hem.

Calculate required weight, then add extra for good measure. Insufficient weight will still allow curtains to blow around. Too much weight overwhelms the rod and causes sagging.

Adding Weights to Bottom of Outdoor Curtains

Sewing Weights into Curtain Hems

One simple approach is sewing enclosed weights directly into the bottom hem of curtains. Bar weights, chain weights, or other heavy flexible weights work well. Space weights evenly apart in the hem casing.

Sew weights securely at regular intervals using strong thread and tight stitches. Curtain weight tape has slim enclosed weights ideal for hems. For heavier drapes, try ball chain, beaded chain, or metal bar weights.

An alternative is stitching curtain weight pockets onto the hem at regular intervals. You can then insert weights of your choosing into the pockets - try washers, nuts, bolts, sand, pebbles, coins, etc. This allows you to adjust weight as needed.

Make pockets from fabric strips or heavy duty iron-on hem tape. Reinforce edges with double or zigzag stitching. Insert 2-4 weights per pocket, adjusting until the curtains hang properly.

Using Removable Curtain Weights

For existing curtains or adjustable weighting, consider removable curtain weights that attach onto the bottom hem. Options include:

• Velcro weights - Rectangular weights secured in place with Velcro strips on the weight and curtain hem.
• Clip-on weights - Circular flat weights that clip onto the hem.
• Hook weights - Individual metal hooks attach to rings sewn into the curtain hem.
• Tie-on weights - Curtain weights that affix to the hem with integrated strings or ropes.

Look for sturdy, weatherproof curtain weights made of rigid plastic, resin, or metal alloys. ForVisibility, choose colors matching your curtains.

Space removable weights evenly across the hem as needed to weigh down the curtains. Attach velcro, hooks, clips or ties tightly so weights don't detach and fall. Add more weights towards curtain edges and ends to keep hem aligned.

Removable curtain weights allow seasonal adjustments. Add extra weights for summer winds, or remove some when breezes die down in winter.

Weighing Down Outdoor Curtain Rods

Installing Weighted Curtain Rods

Specialized weighted curtain rods have internal compartments to hold free weights, sand, pebbles or other dense materials. The bottom of the rod acts as a ballast to keep curtains taut.

Weighted rods integrate the ballast for a streamlined look. Opening end caps allow you to customize weight amount, then close up neatly.

Look for telescoping weighted rods to use on various window widths. Or select a rod with end caps to hold sand or metal balls for adjustable weighting.

Adding Weighted Curtain Rod Accessories

You can also add weight directly to regular curtain rods using weighted accessories like:

• Rod weights - Cylindrical weights that wrap around the rod.
• Rod end caps - Hollow end caps fill with weights.
• Weighted tiebacks - Hold curtains against walls while adding weight.

Choose accessories matching your rod's diameter so they fit snugly. Fill rods caps and tiebacks with sand, pebbles, beads, coins, nuts, or ball bearings for moveable weight.

Position these accessories toward the bottom of side curtains or distributed across middle and end sections for center curtains.

Other Tips for Weighing Down Outdoor Curtains

Using Sturdy Materials

Select thicker, heavyweight outdoor curtains made of canvas, polyester, acrylic or olefin instead of delicate sheers. Dense fabrics have more natural weight to resist wind.

Reinforced hems, lined curtains, and multilayer panels also help curtains hang straight and not catch wind. Avoid loose knits like lace or crochet which can snag and unravel.

Securing Top of Curtains

Install proper curtain hardware securely into studs or blocking. Use sturdy brackets, overlapped extension rods, splices, and reinforced corners.

For tension rods, select wider models and install tightly. Spring tension keeps the rod braced in windows or doorways.

This prevents swaying, sagging and curtains pulling down rods under wind pressure.