Outdoor curtains are effective at protecting you from the sun and other elements. However, even when there’s a small amount of wind, they can blow and billow around you, causing much irritation. How can you keep them from blowing around?
Once you have read this article, you’ll have some valuable tips for keeping your outdoor curtains from blowing in the wind so that you can enjoy your time outdoors more. So let’s get started.
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1. Place Weights in the Hem
One of the most common methods of preventing outdoor curtains from blowing around is to attach weights to the hem. This makes the curtains heavier at the bottom and less likely to blow around in the breeze. However, when there’s a stronger wind, you may need to use another method as well.
These weights can be any small objects you have lying around your home, including:
- Washers, large screws, or bolts
- Marbles
- Small and heavy toys
- Fishing weights
- Stones or pebbles
- Heavy-duty magnets
To attach weights to the hem, you will need to use a seam ripper to open the curtain’s hem. You can then place your small, heavy items into the hem and sew the hem together again. Try and attach the weights by sewing them onto the hem or using fabric glue, which prevents them from moving around and provides more stability.
For added stability, you could attach a few weights to the side hems. Gravity will cause them to slide down, so you need to glue them down or sew them onto the fabric.
If your outdoor curtains are made from sheer or lightweight fabric, you’ll be able to see the weighted objects through the material, which can be an eyesore. In this case, you may want to paint the objects the same color as the fabric to make them less visible.
You may also need to remove the weights when you wash or dry clean your outdoor curtains. In this case, to make things more convenient, you might want to use velcro or buttons to secure the hem instead of sewing it.
2. Magnetize Your Curtains
Magnetizing your curtains will work well if they have metal railings and are close to large metal objects. You’ll need to buy about a dozen heavy-duty magnets and then place them into the bottom, outer, and inner side hems.
Heavy-duty magnets have a strong magnetic field and it takes some force to separate them, making them perfect for withstanding windy conditions.
You can fasten the individual curtains together whenever the weather is windy by attaching the inner side hems together. This will create one curtain unit that is heavier and less likely to blow around.
Since the curtains contain heavy-duty magnets, they weigh more and are less likely to blow around in the breeze. Additionally, you can attach the outer curtain hems to nearby metal railings or objects to secure them further.
3. Consider Using Heavier Curtain Fabric or a Curtain Liner
Lightweight or sheer curtains look great outdoors as they create a whimsical effect for your outdoor space. The main drawback to sheer or lightweight curtains is that they blow around very quickly, even in the slightest breeze.
This can quickly become irritating, and a better solution would be to replace the lightweight fabric with a heavier one that’s not as likely to blow in the wind.
Blackout curtains tend to have denser fibers and weigh more than regular curtains. They’re also great at blocking out the noise and would make wonderful outdoor curtains to protect guests against the sun.
If you love your lightweight curtains and don’t want to replace them, you can attach a curtain liner to the inside of the curtains to make them heavier.
Shower curtain liners are an excellent liner option as they have been designed to prevent the shower curtain from billowing.
4. Attach the Curtains to Another Object With Velcro
You might have been interested in using the magnetizing option for your curtains, but this won’t be possible if the curtains don’t have metal around them. In this case, Velcro may be your best bet as it can securely fasten the curtain to a solid object.
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Depending on the surrounding area, you can attach Velcro strips along a side wall or post to secure the outer edges of the curtains.
For maximum benefit, attach Velcro strips such as the strong with secure hold Velcro Stick On along the side inner hems so that the curtains are one unit and heavier.
If your curtains are long enough and the ground below them is solid, you can use Velcro strips along the bottom.
5. Wind the Curtains Around Heavy Pot Plants
This method of securing curtains so that they don’t blow around in the wind is a little different. If you urgently need a good solution, you don’t want to buy anything, or you’re on a strict budget, you may want to try winding your curtains around heavy potted plants.
It’ll work if you already have a few large plants or trees that have been potted in large and heavy containers. Since they’re very heavy, these pot plants will make excellent anchors for your outdoor curtains.
You’ll need to wind the curtains around the plants so that the curtains still provide sun protection to your guests but that they’re also securely fastened to the plant. You can do this by tying a gentle knot around the plant.
If the curtains are long enough, you could secure the edge of the bottom hem underneath the pot.
6. Use Decorative Curtain Tie-Backs
The primary function of decorative curtain tie-backs is to keep curtains out of the way and help them look attractive when they’re open by cinching them in the middle. Curtain tie-backs are normally made from decorative rope, ribbon, or metal.
Metal ones are typically fastened onto the wall, while rope tie-backs are loose.
If you already use curtain tie-backs for your outdoor curtains, experimenting with them to see if they can help prevent them from billowing in the wind can be a great idea.
Of course, you still want the outdoor curtains to perform their primary function of protecting your guests from the outdoor elements. You could, therefore, consider tying them back, loosening some fabric from the top half of the tie-back, and arranging them so that they can provide some protection.
Your outdoor curtains won’t provide as much protection as they would if they were completely open, but at least they won’t blow around, and you’ll be partially protected.
7. Wedge the Curtains Between Heavy Furniture
Wedging your outdoor curtains between heavy pieces of furniture, or other heavy objects, like large potted plants or trees, can prevent them from blowing around when it’s windy. While this isn’t a permanent solution, it can work if you need a quick solution and you have plenty of heavy outdoor furniture available.
It involves placing two rows of heavy furniture on either side of your outdoor curtains. Try and arrange the furniture so that it secures the curtains and doesn’t allow them to move.
If you want to use the furniture outside the curtains, you won’t be protected from the sun and wind, but anyone sitting on the other side will enjoy good protection, even when the wind is very gusty.
8. Run a Heavy-Duty Cable Through the Hem
Curtains are anchored on the top with a rod or rail, and an excellent way to keep them moving around in the wind is to anchor them from the bottom.
You can do this by running a heavy-duty cable, chain, or rod through the bottom hem. Try looking in your garage or basement for a long, heavy-duty object before going shopping, as many folks have these lying around gathering dust.
Otherwise, you can find them for sale at your local DIY or big box store.
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Once you have your heavy-duty cable, open the curtain’s hem and slide it in. Sew the hem together again, and the curtain will now be heavy enough to remain stable in windy conditions.
The only downside to this method is that you may have to remove the heavy-duty object before washing or dry cleaning the curtains.
9. Sew a Heavy and Decorative Cord Along the Hem
If you’re concerned about how your curtains will look after you’ve tried to prevent them from blowing around, consider sewing a heavy, decorative cord along the hem. This gives you the best of both worlds as it adds much-needed weight to the curtains’ bottom and adds some creativity and beauty to the curtains.
Visit your local fabric or home decor store to browse their selection of heavy cording and pick one that’ll complement your curtains nicely. If you can’t find a heavyweight cord you like, you could always make your own by selecting a few lengths of decorative roping that you want and feel would match your curtains well.
Twist the individual pieces of rope together to make a single, heavy-duty cord.
If it’s too difficult to sew the heavy cord onto your curtains, you could attach it with some fabric glue, which is widely available at most big fabric or department stores.
10. Anchor the Hem Into the Ground
Most outdoor curtains consist of a top rail from which the fabric hangs. The material is anchored on the top, but not at the bottom, and this is why the curtains will blow around when it is windy.
A great solution, therefore, is to anchor the bottom edges of the curtains into the ground. This is only easily done if the curtains are above soft ground or grass, as it’s simple to place the anchor into the ground.
To anchor your curtains into the ground, place sturdy spikes into the ground at various intervals along the bottom of the curtain. Tent spikes work well as anchors for outdoor curtains, and you can find these at most outdoor or big box stores.
Attach clamps to the spikes and then anchor the curtains down with the clamps, which will prevent them from blowing around when it’s windy.
11. Use a Bottom Rail
If you don’t plan on using any of the above methods and want a permanent solution for preventing your outdoor curtains from blowing around, consider anchoring them to the ground using a bottom rail.
This is a costly solution, but one that works well.
It involves permanently installing a curtain rail just above the ground. The curtain rail should be the same size and length as the top one, and you would need to modify your outdoor curtains so that the bottom hem can be attached to the bottom rail.
12. Use the Threading Method
The threading method involves creating buttonholes along the edges of the curtain and threading the ribbon in a matching color through the holes. You can then secure the curtains to a nearby railing, post, tree, or other objects with the ribbon and tie an attractive bow.
Of course, you’ll need to be happy to have holes along the sides of your curtains, but creating them can be time-consuming.
However, the result is beautiful and is functional as well as esthetically pleasing.
Key Takeaways
Outdoor curtains can get very annoying when they start blowing and billowing in the wind. Fortunately, if you live in a windy area, you can do a lot to prevent this.
These tips should help:
- Place weights in the hem.
- Secure the curtains to other objects with magnets, Velcro, or ribbon.
- Magnetize your curtains.
- Use heavy plants or furniture to secure them.
- Attach a heavy-duty cord or other object either inside or on the outer, lower hem.
- Use a bottom rail.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor