When it comes to home decorating, curtain rods are just as important of a factor as the curtain fabric. Curtain rods are available in many contemporary, elegant and sleek designs and colors with decorative styles and knobs that can be matched to complement any type of furniture and decor.
How to make curtain rods
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The first thing to do, and the most critical, when it comes to hanging curtains or making rods, is to make certain you make accurate measurements. You should measure the width of the windows, allowing for a few extra inches on either side. Curtain rods can be made from many materials, including PVC, steel, aluminum or wood. You can buy various ornaments and decorative knobs to put at the ends of the rod. You can get these at local hardware stores, or the big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes. Another creative and crafty idea is to use kitchen hooks as curtain rod holders. These can be added by screwing them in above or to the side of the windows, remembering to thread the curtain rings (if needed) before screwing the knobs at each end.
Types of curtain rods
Whether you are deciding to make your new curtain rods as a do-it-yourself project, or select from the various styles available on the market, it is important to know which type of curtain rod you will need to fit your decor.
1. One type, called cafe rods, can be used with or without rings. These are generally used for hand-drawn curtains or tie-tab curtains, and are available in several different finishes.
2. Wide curtain rods are mainly used for corner and bay windows since the corner connectors make these suitable for this type of window.
3. Sash rods are often used for stretched curtains on doors and to allow the curtains to hang closer to the glass surface. They attach at both top and bottom.
4. Narrow curtain rods are often used where the curtain fabric is very sheer. Choosing a rod which is clear or translucent is a good idea for these.
Installation curtain rods
First and foremost, decide whether you want to mount the curtain rod on the window frame or the wall. On consideration here is that often frames are made from oak or other high-quality woods, and you may not want to drill into them. Plaster or sheetrock walls are very easy to patch if you change decor later. To determine the proper positioning hold up the rod to the wall using a long carpenters level over the rod to make sure you have the rod level. (Very much a two-person task!) Also mark the placement of the brackets on the wall or frame with a pencil. When doing this, you may want to have the curtains mounted on the rod, if there is any question about how they will look, or their hanging length. Usually the brackets are placed three to six inches beyond the edge of the window. Next, drill holes over the pencil marks to affix the anchors through the bracket, making very sure you are using the proper bit size. Finally, position the curtain rods into the brackets. If the rod is a bit longer, you may need to install a center bracket to support the rod and the curtains, to prevent sagging. You need to make sure you use wall fasteners that will properly support the weight of the rods and curtains. Most fasteners will specify the weight they can safely support. The final step in installing curtain rods is to fix the rods and brackets before dressing up the windows with curtains, draperies or valances.
Curtain Rods - Considerations for Selecting
Trevor is a leading home improvement author and writes often for http://www.timeforhomeimprovement.com. There are also more curtain rod tips and tricks on that site.
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