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Curtain rod for tab top curtains? (photo)

11 years ago

I am going to use a brown metal curtain rod to match the dark brown wrought iron chairs etc. in my kitchen. I picked up a curtain rod at the store that looks pretty good but the rod itself it not particularly thick in terms of diameter. It might be 5/8" or perhaps 3/4".

The window in question is the patio sliding door in the photo and this is the curtain (there is a second curtain).

(i) Is there any standard advice for the diameter of curtain rods for tab top curtain?I was wondering if it would be better to try and find a curtain rod that is a bit thicker (while not thin, it makes no notable statement) than the size mentioned above or can any size work with tab tops? Or would too thick of a rod overwhelm the beautiful light and chairs and maybe not too thick is okay?

(ii) What about the height at which to install the curtains? I assume that I don't want any of the upper oak window trim to show between the tabs so they should be high enough to cover the oak trim

If it might help, I can try and post a photo of the possible curtain rod in a bit.

This post was edited by Scarlett001 on Sat, Mar 23, 13 at 15:43

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Comments (6)

graywings123
11 years ago
I don't believe there is a specific rod dimension to go with tab top curtains. If the photos of tab top curtains on the Country Curtains site are any indication, you have a lot of leeway on where to mount the rod.

I think you are on the right track if you pay attention to what is going to show between the tabs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Country curtains tab tops
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
11 years ago
the rod needs to be high enough so that the tabs do not show from outside the window.
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madeyna
11 years ago
Interesting thread I have had this type curtain up in my kitchen for 5 years with a skinny rod because I cann,t seem to commit to how high or what kind of rod works for them. Mine are on a french door as well. Looking at yours I had a ah ha moment that was 5 years in the making. It needs to be high enought for the tabs to be above the window frame and not puddle. Anyone have anythoughts on the best rods for this kind of curtain?
Scarlett001
Original Author
11 years ago
Not tab top curtains, but staring at the various rods in these drapery photos made me realize that I prefer the thicker rods in these photos (there are some thin rods in some of the last photos near the bottom). I think that these are 1 1/4 inches. So I might go with that.

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/index.jsp?cm_sp=global_top_nav_store-_-dynamic_menu_item-_-NA&categoryId=cat1554018
madeyna
11 years ago
The pics not posting. I was tempted to go with a wide brownish bronze rod thats was wide instead of round but was told they are hard to pull with tabs. Right now I have a smallish black rod that would match your chairs . They pull across nice but seem off with the width of the tabs.
romanblindsinfo
11 years ago
make sure the measurement of your window is exactly as you consider to put tab top curtains.I'm so exited to see the finish product of your windows

Here is a link that might be useful: made to measure curtains

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