stupid giant wooden batons above stupid windows - disguise?

[siiiiiiiiigh]

So, our builders "forgot" to put a baton in the wall above our windows so we can hang curtain rails.

One of the windows is a patio door - so, I asked for a big baton, well screwed and glued, because the fabric weighs about 4kg and needs to be strong.

I was going to hide the fugly with a simple, plain valance made from foamcore and the same fabric.

That'd be ok.

But, the builders put giant batons above ALL my windows. So, in the kitchen, where I only need some Naice Net I have massive planks of wood. I mean, 5" wide planks.

I want to put the same treatment above the window to disguise the idiocy.

Blokie hates the idea. He says it's "old fashioned" and "no one else has that"

I give not a jot. I just want to not look at stupid planks of wood.

Suggestions?

Take off the giant baton and replace with a thinner one, then paint same colour as the walls? Sorry but valance and net curtains do sound old fashioned!

But, the batons are glued on, as well as screwed in - won't it mean the actual plaster will be damaged?

I'm no plasterer. It'll land up looking a wodge of artex above the feckign windows.

what about this?

Tell the builders they mussed up and to take them down.

Tbh I haven't seen anyone put up net curtains in years.

The builders made a mistake. If I were you I'd them back to fix it.

Failing that how, about roman blinds set outside the window instead?

Just looking at the picture you posted si....if the builders aren't fixing the problem free of charge, I think a pelmet like that will be more expensive than paying someone to take the wood down and patch up the plaster.

I only have batons where I have roman blinds & they are small, and are there to take the blind fitting.
The curtain poles go straight into the masonry (with appropriate fixings)& mine take massively heavy lined curtains in the living room (6m x 3m blackout thermally lined silk curtains) and bedroom (the same in velvet)

If they aren't supposed to be there and you were clear about that then the builder should be taking down the extra ones and rectifying the plasterwork.

Taking down, patching and painting would probably be cheaper than a proper pelmet. If you are using a pelmet you usually don't have poles you use track. Poles are usually exposed.

yep, much wailing, shouting and builders back . .

Thanks, guys.

The giant batons are needed in the room with the big window, because I am old fashioned at heart and don't trust these weird rawl plug srew things that spring out inside insulation to hold up anything you put on them - like curtain rails or pictures.

I like a screw in a bit of wood, me.

builders were supposed to put a baton of wood inside the wall, apparently, that's the way it's done with the new rules about insulation. But, they forgot.

and, I don't want the curtains to fall down when a small child swings on them one day. (note, I don't wish to encourage curtain swinging!)

Thanks for the advice, am following.

Builders coming back next week.
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