Buying outdoor curtains and hanging them on a pergola on your porch will transform your outdoor space into a shaded area that you can use all summer long. Once you pick a setup that works for your pergola, the installation process is easy. This guide is about rods, wire cables, tracks, and some no-drill options. You will also learn how to secure everything for a windy day.
Measure your pergola first
Before you buy outdoor curtains to hang on your pergola, you need to measure for three numbers. The width of the space to be covered, the height from where you want to mount to where the curtains will end, along with any spacing of the beams of the pergola.
For the width, measure the entire distance between the pergola's posts and add from 4 to 8 inches to either side of the width for the curtains to stack neatly. This added width allows for the extra space where the fabric will be when hanging the curtains to the side.
The rod measurement is separate from how much curtain fabric you need. For curtains that look full and gathered when closed rather than flat like a bedsheet, buy panels with a combined width of 1.5 to 2 times your opening. A 10-foot span looks best with 15 to 20 feet of total curtain width. This extra fabric creates the pleats and folds that give curtains a finished appearance.
You have options for height. To avoid accumulating dirt, some people stop their curtains just shy of ground touch, while others like the added fabric puddle for a relaxed look. To figure the height, measure from where the mounting hardware will be located down to the desired endpoint. If using a rod pocket, add 2 to 3 inches to account for the fabric that wraps around the rod. If using rings, measure to where the ring clips will attach.
The spacing of beams on top of the pergola helps determine how many panels for the curtains you will want for the provided space you will need to cover. Each individual spacing section must be measured for adequate curtains to cover the aesthetic as well as for even curtain distribution.
Curtain rods and brackets
Mounting curtain rods to pergola beams works well with heavier materials and provides a traditional, sturdy installation.
Materials needed include an outdoor-rated curtain rod, mounting brackets, stainless steel screws (with a drill), and a level.
First, the locations of the brackets need to be marked out. While the bracket is held against the beam, check for proper level alignment, and use a pencil to mark the screw holes. If the beam is wooden, it is recommended that pilot holes smaller than the screw's circumference be predrilled, as this will help to avoid any cracking of the wood. Although this wood conservation method may be a bit time consuming, it is well worth the time spent.
Mount the brackets on opposite ends first, then add any needed center supports. If the span of the rod is greater than 48 inches, it is wise to add a center bracket, as this will help to prevent sagging of the rod if heavier fabric is hung.
To help slide the curtain onto the rod, the curtain should be hung on the rod prior to the rod being mounted. It is also recommended to utilize the help of a second person for this task, as it is much easier to lower the rod into the bracket cradles if two people hold either shaft end of the rod.
This method is the best fit for heavier curtain fabrics, traditional wood pergolas, and more permanent installations.
Wire cable systems
This wire method for hanging a curtain is a nice modern aesthetic. Instead of a solid rod, a thin metal cable is strung between two supports and the curtain glides on the cable as it is opened and closed.
The materials needed for this option include grommeted curtains, turnbuckles, eye hooks, cable end fittings, cable clamps, and 1/8 inch diameter stainless steel cable.
Fasten an eye hook at each end of your span. If there is wood, just screw them in. If your pergola is metal or vinyl, use suitable anchors. Slip one eye hook and secure it with a cable clamp.
Run the wire back to the other side and, before securing it with the second eye hook, put it in a turnbuckle. You can use the turnbuckle to tighten the wire. If the wire is too loose, it will sag in the middle, and that's a bad spot to hang your curtains.
Before everything is finally tight, put the wire through each of your curtain grommets. After the wire is tight, adding or taking away curtains will be a whole to-do. Then, if you want to change the curtains, you'll have to loosen the whole system.
One thing to watch: cables can stretch slightly over time, especially in the first few weeks. Check the tension after a month and tighten the turnbuckle if needed. This is normal and not a sign that anything is wrong with your installation.
Best for: modern aesthetics, wide spans, lightweight to medium-weight fabrics.
Curtain tracks
Curtain tracks let panels slide open and closed along a mounted channel. Think of the sliding systems in hospitals or hotels, but designed for outdoor use. The curtain hangs from small carriers that roll inside the track, so you can move panels with one hand.
Ceiling-mount tracks attach to the underside of your pergola beams. Wall-mount versions can go on posts if that positioning works better for your layout. Most outdoor tracks are made from aluminum or PVC to handle weather exposure.
Installation is similar to rod brackets. Screw the track directly into the beam, keeping it level. Snap the carriers into the track, attach your curtain hooks, and you're done. Some tracks are flexible enough to curve around corners, which helps if your pergola has an unusual shape.
When selecting a track, keep in mind the weight rating. Lightweight tracks are good for sheer fabrics, but you will need a sturdier system for heavier outdoor canvas. Always check the manufacturer's specifications before buying.
Smooth operation is the primary benefit. Even on long spans, you can open and close the curtains using just one hand. The downside is the price, as track systems usually cost two to three times more than simple rod configurations.
Best for: curtains that need to be opened and closed frequently, long spans, and easy access.
Ways to hang curtains without drilling
People wanting to avoid making permanent holes in their pergola, including renters, have a few good choices.
For smaller spans (usually less than 50 inches), tension rods work well. They press fit between two surfaces and can be quickly installed and removed. If your pergola has a location where a tension rod can securely wedge, this is the quickest option.
In the case of open-frame pergolas, using heavy-duty zip ties or outdoor-rated velcro straps is a valid option. Simply loop them around the beam and through your curtain grommets. This solution is robust, and can be removed easily. Each season, make sure to replace zip ties, since prolonged sun exposure weakens the plastic.
String or fabric ribbons and ties provide an aesthetic and decorative no-drill option. For this, thread rope through your curtain grommets and then tie it off directly around the pergola beam.
S-hooks provide an option for hanging curtains from existing structures. In the event your pergola has decorative metalwork, lattice, or any horizontal element you can hook onto, S-hooks allow you to instantly hang grommeted curtains.
Best for: rental properties, temporary setups, and situations where you can't modify the structure.
Securing curtains against wind
Outdoor curtains catch the wind easily, and without any way to anchor them, you'll spend your evening chasing fabric around the yard.
When curtains are open, tiebacks are the easiest fix to the problem. For this, secure them to the pergola posts using rope, fabric ties, or decorative holdbacks. This prevents them from whipping around.
Some curtains come with chains or weights sewn into the bottom hem, which reduces wind catch for closed curtains. If they don't, you can add curtain weights yourself or slide a thin metal rod through the bottom hem.
Magnets can work if your pergola has metal elements. In this case, sew or glue strong magnets into the curtain edges, and let them snap against the pergola frame when closed.
Anchors or ground stakes provide good hold for moderate breezes. On the bottom corner of each panel, attach a loop or grommet and stake it to the ground. Use bungee cords rather than rigid rope between the grommet and stake, as this gives the fabric some flex and reduces stress on your mounting hardware. However, before heavy storms or high winds, take curtains down entirely and tie them securely to the posts. Outdoor curtains act like sails, and if the bottom is anchored while strong gusts hit, the force can rip tracks off the beam or even bend aluminum pergola frames.
Consider your local conditions when determining how much wind protection you require. Sheltered backyards may need only tiebacks, but pergolas adjacent to open water or at a higher elevation will likely require ground anchors in addition to weighted hems for reliable performance.
Get started this weekend
Most pergola curtain installations can be finished in an afternoon. Measure your space, choose the method that corresponds to your pergola type, and gather your supplies. To test your setup before fully committing to the entire installation, start with just one panel. If something goes wrong, it will be easy to make adjustments before you have mounted hardware along the entire span.