How to Install the Silent Gliss Metropole Electric Curtain Pole

The Silent Gliss Metropole is the only electric curtain pole on the market. It looks just like a traditional 50mm curtain pole but has a motor built into the tube that drives the rings along the pole. If you've hung a curtain pole before, most of this will feel familiar. The main difference is the power cable.

This guide covers fitting the Metropole to a wall. It is not ceiling-mounted. You'll use standard pole brackets, mark your positions, drill, and hang it the same way you would any curtain pole. The extra steps are connecting power and routing the cable neatly.

What You'll Need

Silent Gliss Metropole pole (supplied cut to your required length)
Supplied wall brackets and fixings
Drill, spirit level, pencil
Wall plugs appropriate for your wall type
Screwdriver
Your curtains with compatible rings
Access to a 13A plug socket near one end of the pole

The Metropole is supplied ready to install. DEC cuts it to length before despatch, so there's no cutting required on site.

Before You Start

Check you have a 13A socket within reach of one end of the pole. The power cable exits from one end and plugs in directly, the same as the Silent Gliss 5100 track. If your socket is recessed behind a pelmet or inside a recess, make sure you can still access it for the plug.

The Metropole is wall-mounted only. If you're fitting into a bay window or need ceiling mounting, the 5100 or 5600 track systems are better suited.

Check the maximum span for your specific Metropole variant before ordering. The 50mm electric version has a shorter maximum span than the 5100 track, so if you have a very wide window, confirm the spec with us first.

Step 1: Mark Your Bracket Positions

Decide on bracket spacing. The Metropole uses the same wall bracket principle as a standard curtain pole. You'll typically need one bracket at each end and one or more in the middle depending on the pole length. Use a spirit level and pencil to mark each bracket position, making sure they're at the same height.

Allow enough projection from the wall so the curtains hang clear of the window frame or sill.

Step 2: Drill and Fix the Brackets

Drill pilot holes at each marked position. Insert wall plugs if you're going into masonry or plasterboard. Screw the brackets in place and check they're level before tightening fully.

Step 3: Fit the Rings

Slide the curtain rings onto the pole before mounting it. Unlike a track system where gliders clip into a channel, the Metropole uses rings on the outside of the pole. The motor drives these rings directly. Make sure you use the correct Silent Gliss Metropole rings, not standard curtain rings, as the motor mechanism needs to engage with them.

You can pick up spare rings and other accessories if needed.

Step 4: Mount the Pole

Lift the pole into the brackets and secure it. The process is the same as any curtain pole. Some bracket designs clip closed, others use a screw. Check it sits firmly before moving on.

Step 5: Connect Power

This is the key difference from a standard pole. The power cable runs from one end of the Metropole to a 13A plug socket. Route the cable along the wall or ceiling to the socket. How you manage the cable depends on your room, but common options are:

Running it along the top of the window frame under a pelmet
Using a cable trunking or cover strip along the wall
Dropping it behind a curtain to a socket below

Do not extend the cable with a junction or join it to another cable. If the socket isn't close enough, have an electrician add a socket in the right position first.

Step 6: Attach Your Curtains and Test

Hook your curtains onto the rings. Plug in the pole and run a test open and close cycle using the remote control (or app, depending on the variant you ordered). Check the curtains travel smoothly the full length of the pole without snagging on anything.

If the curtains bunch up or the rings stick, check that nothing is catching on the brackets mid-span.

The Four Metropole Variants

The electric Metropole is available in four versions, matching the variant structure of the 5100:

B — basic remote operation
R — remote with additional control options
T — timer control
TC — timer and additional smart control

All four install the same way. The variant only affects how you control the pole once it's running.

Summary

Fitting the Metropole is straightforward if you've hung a curtain pole before. The brackets, drilling, and ring fitting are all standard. The only addition is routing a power cable to a nearby socket. Because DEC supplies the pole cut to length, there's no site measuring or cutting involved. If you have questions about which variant suits your setup, or want to confirm the maximum span for your window width, get in touch before ordering.