It completely depends on the shower curtain. I think you want the curtain at least six inches below the edge of tub for good water sealing.

Just a fair warning... I know many people have crescent rods, and I love the look and was all set to install one in my recently done family bathroom. But I found the installation to be really flimsy. Essentially the rod is held in place by two teeny weeny anchor screws in the part that goes on the wall. In my bath it might be okay, but no way with two teens. So I had to take it back and put up a regular one. Incidentally, mine was from Bed, Bath and Beyond, is called The Original Crescent Rod and cost $49.99. I did notice when I was at a hotel with a crescent rod recently that there pole sits in the holder much, much more securely. Anyway, just to let you know...
Lynn

Lynn,

Thanks for the reply.

Coincidentally, I bought mine from BB & B, although I scrutinzed the units @ L 'n T, Lowe's, Wal-Mart and the Depot and the one @ BB & B seemed to be the most substantial. I'll take another look at the mounting hardware to see if it's sufficient and if it can be additionally reinforced.

G S.

Hi G.S.
I haven't attempted to return mine to Bed, Bath and Beyond yet... we were not as careful as we should have been opening it, and it will be tough to repackage but I'm going to try. If you can figure out a way to additionally reinforce the setup, please let me know. Maybe we'll give it another go. In my opinion, the problem is that the anchor screws are just so tiny. I noticed the hotel set had just slightly larger, meatier anchor screws. I'll be interested to hear more of your experience...
Lynn

Lynn,

I am actually out-of-town @ this writing, but perhaps one could employ larger anchor screws vs the std issue ones? When I make it home later tonight, I'll look again. I have 1/2" granite tile on my walls w/ Durarock and 2" x 4" studs behind it, so I would like S/S screws long enough to bite into the wood.

G S.

Lynn,

I P/U five #10 x 2.5" S/S phillips oval head screws @ the local hdw store for $1. The zinc plated screws that came /w the pkg are subject to rust in a shower/bath environment. You need to know where your studs are and you also might be able to get by w/ just 2" long screws.

G S.

Hi G.S.
Actually, the bracket in the wall is in mighty sturdily. It is the way the crescent rod sits in the bracket that is the weak point. I agree that slightly larger anchor screws would be worth a try but I can't get the others out now! Aarggh! I'm really anxious to hear how you do with yours..

Lynn,

Unfortunately, my project is at a standstill. The contractor mismeasured the granite vanity, so he had to take back to the shop to recut it and cracked it. With the holidays, he's been unable to either find a new slab or fabricator.
I did look at what you mentioned about the recessed hex head bolt that holds the crescent rod in place and I am not sure if it can be fortified as is the case w/ the mounting bracket.

Hi again G.S. (and Merry Christmas!),
Good news, Bed, Bath and Beyond took back the crescent rod no questions asked, even though the outside package was pretty torn up. So at least I'm not out the money now. I'd still love the idea of putting a crescent rod up sometime, so please post once you are back on track and share your experience...
Lynn

Holiday Inn sells their sturdy version. You can probably get the online. I've spent 18 months in Holiday Inns in the past three years and have never seen one that looked like it was weakening.

I was in a hotel this pass weekend and they had the crescent rod. But it was mounted so the the curved rod edge was even with the tub and the mounts set further back from the edge. I thought that defeated the purpose. There was actually less room at the ends of the tub.
How should they mount?

That's an incorrect install. The mounts should be roughly in the same spot as a straight rod, and the curve pushes out into the room a bit to give you more room.