Curtain Rods & Hardware

Curtain Rods and Finials

Curtain rods and finials are installed over windows to provide a stable place to hang curtains. Even though the curtain rods and finials are often not the focal point of living room or bedroom, they can add an accent to your walls and can pull your interior decor together. However, choosing rods can be difficult if you are going for a certain look or style.

A finial is a decorative object that is placed on each end of the curtain rod. The finials are designed to keep the curtain on the rod by covering the ends. They can be made from a number of different materials, including wood, glass, crystal, and metal. The finials designed for curtain rods are usually circular or spear-shaped, though they could be other shapes as well.

There are five main types of curtain rods:

• Spring rods: Also called spring tension rods, these curtain rods do not require any hardware to install as they can hold themselves up. These rods need curtains that are lighter in weight.
• Magnetic rods: These curtain rods also do not use any hardware. Instead of using springs, they utilize magnets to hold themselves up. They do require metal windowsills in order to work.
• Sash-rods: These curtain rods are thin and can be used as decoration. They should be installed just above the top of the windows so that the curtains cover the entire window.
• Cafe sash-rods: These curtain rods are intended to hang curtains that are longer than the window. They are generally larger than regular sash-rods to hold the extra weight of larger curtains.
• Crystal clear rods: These curtain rod sets are transparent, meaning they are often not visible from a distance. This feature can be useful for those who do not want to have the curtain rod be visible or if crystal is part of the interior design.

When looking to install curtains or window treatments, you should consider the potential curtain rod's:

• Color: Rods come in a variety of colors, including black, white, and natural metals. You want the curtain rod to match or complement the color of the curtains you intend to hang.
• Materials: Rods come in all types of materials. Wooden and wrought iron tension rods are commonly found in the home, though glass and plastic tension rods are also available.
• Mounting hardware: If you are renting a home, you may want to go with a tension rod as they do not need hardware. Otherwise, you may want to consider hardware that is the same color as the brackets or the curtain rod itself.