Draperies and Top Treatments - installing drapery brackets over sliding glass doors

Yipes!

I'm trying to install heat/light blocking curtains over a sliding glass door. I've installed curtains 3-4 times now and have done really well. But never have installed over sliding glass doors. I've now drilled two holes that seem to dead end on metal on either side of the center brace for the vertical blinds. My stud finder is broken.

Any ideas on how I can drill holes that will go through and allow me to complete my chore? Many thanks!!

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=167857&d=1210992738

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=167858&d=1210992738

Hanging window treatments over sliding glass door is not different than hanging over a window. Stud finder for wood or metal studs is in order. If you live in newer construction, you may have metal studs. You may have a metal lintel above the door opening. If you have hit metal, then you need a high speed drill and bit for drilling through metal. High speed steel drill bits are available. HSS (high speed drill) bits. Here's a link to info that may be useful or useless: http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/powertools/drillfaq.htm

Thank you very much twelve pole, I feel privileged that you have offered up your time on my problem. Thankfully I managed to finish the job last night. Here's a reply I gave to shadelade, she kindly responded to a PM I sent her way. I think it appropriate to share here. Thanks once again.


Thanks for replying and offering up your knowledge of who to ask. I was able to reach a friend who had confidence about sliding glass doors and installing drapery over them. It turns out my drill bits are getting dull and I was using a bit too large to dig through the wood. So I did baby steps and all was well. I'll post the finished result on the thread I made.

I will say it took me much longer than I would have liked, but that's what happens when you do it all yourself and aren't 100% confident nor 100% properly equipped. Thankfully my day of diving that started early and was intiailly hampered by the lack of sleep - in the end turned out to be a fabulous day of diving. And now my apartment with southwestern exposed sliding doors - with the curtains installed - is very comfortable.

I'm not sure how frequent I'll be visiting the forum, but I'll pop in from time to time, sure seems like a great resource to have. Thank you for taking the time to contact me back.

The finished product...
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=167874&d=1211003630

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=167875&d=1211003630

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=167876&d=1211003630

Good job! Very cheery curtains, too.