Using Toggle Bolts to Fix a Curtain Track to a Ceiling
Struggling to Get a Secure Fixing?
Most of the time, the red plugs we supply with your bay track are more than enough to give a firm fixing into a plasterboard ceiling. But occasionally, you may find one or two brackets that just don’t feel completely solid.
This is where toggle bolts come in — a simple, reliable solution to secure your track firmly in place.
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Watch the Guide
How to Use Toggle Bolts to Fix a Curtain Track to a Ceiling
Introduction
Hi, I’m Lee Stevens from ezecurtains.co.uk. If you’re fitting a track to the ceiling (in a bay or over a straight window) and one or two brackets don’t feel secure, here’s a simple alternative fixing you can use: the toggle bolt.
What’s a Toggle Bolt?
A toggle bolt has a screw head on one end and two spring-loaded “wings” on the other. Push it through a hole in the ceiling and the wings pop open above the plasterboard, gripping firmly from behind.
Tools & Size
- 8 mm drill bit for the ceiling hole (plasterboard).
- Driver or screwdriver for tightening the bolt.
Step-by-Step
- Drill the hole: Create an 8 mm hole in the plasterboard ceiling where the bracket will fix.
- Prepare the bracket: Place the toggle bolt screw through the bracket hole (head beneath the bracket, wings above).
- Insert the toggle: Fold the wings back and push the toggle up into the 8 mm hole until the wings pop open above the ceiling.
- Seat and tighten: Gently pull down on the track/bracket to keep the wings engaged, then tighten the screw with your driver until the bracket is snug to the ceiling.
When Should You Use Toggle Bolts?
- Only if the supplied red plugs aren’t giving a firm fixing (that’s rare).
- Ideal for plasterboard ceilings where a spot feels weak or crumbly.
- Use for any brackets you’re not 100% happy with—no need to replace every fixing.
Result
Once tightened correctly, a toggle bolt gives a rock-solid fixing. It would take a lot of force to pull free, so you can fit your ceiling track with confidence.
- Toggle bolts are a reliable backup when a bracket won’t fix firmly with standard plugs.
- Drill an 8 mm hole, insert the toggle, let the wings pop open above the ceiling.
- Pull down gently on the bracket while tightening for a snug, solid seat.
- Use only where needed—most brackets will be fine with the supplied red plugs.
- Perfect for plasterboard ceilings in bays or straight windows.
Video Highlights
- 8 mm hole → toggle wings pop open above ceiling.
- Pull down & tighten for a solid fixing.
- Use only where plugs don’t hold.
Video Highlights
What Is a Toggle Bolt?
A toggle bolt is a clever fixing that:
- Has a screw head at one end.
- Two spring-loaded “wings” at the other end.
- Once pushed through an 8 mm hole in the plasterboard, the wings pop open and grip firmly behind the ceiling.
How to Use a Toggle Bolt for Your Track
- Drill an 8 mm hole in the plasterboard ceiling.
- Place the toggle bolt through the track bracket.
- Fold the wings back and push the toggle up into the hole.
- The wings pop open above the ceiling, locking it in place.
- Tighten the screw while gently pulling down on the bracket.
That’s it — your bracket will now feel rock solid.
When to Use Toggle Bolts
- Only use them if the red plugs we supply aren’t giving you a firm enough fixing.
- Ideal for plasterboard ceilings in bays or straight windows.
- A backup option — not something you’ll usually need, but handy if you hit a soft spot.
Customer Confidence
Many customers worry about whether their ceiling can support a track. Toggle bolts give you extra reassurance:
- Once fitted, they create a very strong fixing.
- It would take an enormous amount of force to pull the track free
Where to Get Toggle Bolts
I recommend picking them up from Screwfix — reliable, inexpensive, and widely available. You can keep a small pack on hand for peace of mind, but in reality, you’ll rarely need more than one or two per track.
The Bottom Line
Most ceilings are perfectly fine for fitting bay window curtain tracks with the standard plugs we supply. But if you do find a fixing that doesn’t feel secure, a toggle bolt is your best friend — quick to fit, cheap to buy, and extremely strong.
👉 Haven’t ordered your track yet? Browse our [Custom Bay Window Curtain Tracks] — made to measure and supplied with everything you need to get them fitted confidently.
Need Help?
We specialise in the tracks that make them effective for fitting to bay ceilings. If you’d like tailored advice for your bay window, just send us a quick photo using the button below. We’ll be able to recommend the best track option for your setup. Or browse our bay window curtain track options.