I've never used a flat bar; I am not a fan of the curved shower rods. It would intrude too much on my small bathroom.

Definitely screw in. Tension rods are OK for decorative purposes, but a shower curtain gets hard use. If it was just a shower stall, not a full tub, tension might be OK.

Screw-in, curved. Don't know anything about a flat rod.

I have a 32x60 alcove tub/shower with a curved, screw-in Moen rod in chrome. The curve makes all the difference inside the tub and it does not intrude into my bathroom, as it does not extend beyond the outer edge of my tub. It curves back into the tub a bit on the ends. I was initially reluctant to drill into new surround tile, but the tile and I survived.

localeater, what are you using on the shower floor, pan or tile? How high is the curb/threshold on the outer edge? When I remodel my MB I want to ditch the glass doors and go with a curtain. I want to make sure there's enough at the bottom for the curtain to nestle behind to prevent water escaping.

Do you smear 100% silicone on the screw and in the hole (and then neatly line around the outside) to prevent water intrusion? If not, what do you do to seal that penetration?

It turns out I have a tension rod in my shower stall (I think we were tested it out and it worked fine, so we never bothered to change it). I had to ask. The only problem is the rings do catch a little on the seam where you lengthen the rod.

We went with screw in, curved. Makes the shower seem much bigger and doesn't make the bathroom seem any smaller to me (because the rod itself is so high above my eyelevel, I would guess. When I see straight rods in bathrooms now I always thing, what a missed opportunity.

Our GC installed ours so I have no idea how he waterproofed it.

zellycat, I doubt any those things were done. I'm just grateful no tiles cracked or broke. There are two screws holding up each end (on either side of the vertical grout line) and they are 78 inches above shower/tub floor level, *behind* a cover piece. I have a well ventilated bathroom and I don't think I even get a trace of steam that high, never mind enough moisture to get inside and behind the drilled holes.

You just need to use the right drill bit to avoid cracking the tile. Our contractor added our wire shelves to the tile after the fact, and they haven't been a problem at all.

SJ is right. I had made myself unreasonably paranoid about cracking tiles and couldn't bear to watch when they drilled. He might have used some plastic anchors in the holes. I haven't had the cap off since the rod was installed.

ETA: If any appreciable moisture gets into the screw holes behind the end caps, you probably have some major misdirected water issues.

Thank you all for your replies.

The flat bar is just an aesthetic choice, I see it as a small detail that adds a modern vibe. Here's a picture.

Linelle, thanks for the questions about the curb/shower floor relationship. The shower floor is tile, and the curb is silestone. There is at about four inches from the shower floor to the top of the curb so I dont think I have to worry about the curtain staying tucked in. Also, it it my masterbath, so just DH and I, not my darling, but messy, teenage sons.

Measure thrice even. I made darn sure that when they drilled into my brand new tile that it would be the perfect spot. And it was. One of the best decisions I made in my bathroom and I love it every single day.

Pippabean thanks for posting that photo. Your bathroom is gorgeous and your first person experience with the Arc is very reassuring.

Localeater,

Have you considered a ceiling mounted track rather than a wall mount?

Ceiling Mounted track example

localeater, I think 4 inches is the magic number. I never have a blowy, clingy curtain. It stays put. I'd love to see pics of your setup.

I love that flat curved bar. Also, pippabean, your bathroom is lovely.

Pippa that bathroom is awesome. Glad to know I don't really have to worry about water in the screw holes.

zellycat2 - whenver we drill into the tile or grout around the tub and shower we fill the drill hole with pure silicone before screwing in the screw. Wipe off the excess and it's added insurance.

Easy and makes sense thanks

Homepro-- ceiling mounted track are very cool, but I actually like some open space above the curtain. I did debate it early in the project, because had I elected to go that route, I would have wanted the fan/light in the center of the shower alcove.

Linelle, I will post a reveal when the bath is done, I did post some pictures of the shower yesterday in Here

OK, I don't understand how the curved shower rod doesn't impede the space in the bathroom but still allows extra space in the tub. I have a small bathroom and want to get one of these and install it with screws, but I want to install it right---explain, please!! (Where should I install it so that this mystery of space and time occurs?)

purrus, just keep the shower curtain open when not in use, it makes your space look larger and shows off beautiful tile work. The rod itself is high enough to not be in anyone's way.

Also, the flat bar is used in many hotels, because the bar is flexible and gives way if hit by a door, while round shower rods are rigid and get nicked and bent out of shape.

So where do I install it? Where I would install a normal curtain rod?

Purrus, the curve on these rods is very gentle, so I think that all they do is allow a little extra elbow room.

Linelle's and pippabean's is set inside the shower more than mine. The end of my rod is right over the bathtub ledge. I have a nylon liner and a decorative outer curtain hanging from U-shaped roller hooks. To determine placement, we held up the rod with curtains attached so that the outer curtain hung straight down the front of the tub.

With a shower, I think you'd want it toward the outside edge of the curb so the bottom of the curtain could hang free of the curb to dry. It would look better like that when not in use.

Bathroom Remodel · More Info

Purrus, I just checked my setup. My tub deck is 4-1/2" wide. My rod's widest point is exactly over the outer edge of my tub deck. So, the rod (and curtain) doesn't intrude into the bathroom space any more than the tub does. If you had a straight rod, you'd probably hang it just inside the tub deck, right? I figure I've gained 4-1/2" side-to-side room when taking a shower. When I was trying to talk myself out of a curved rod, I thought, I'm small, how much difference will a couple of inches make? It's amazing what a little extra space will do.

I did curve mine back slightly more than Mayflowers, being a bit paranoid about water escaping at the ends. It doesn't, not even close.

As for placement, I experimented. I bought a tension rod and tried out various placements. I did this on my own, so if you have another person to help, it's a piece o' cake.

I prefer just one curtain and open when dry and not in use. My bathroom really isn't yellow, but I needed the light on this morning for the pics.

Ok, I'm really looking at the arc now. What a cool looking rod! pippabean--what sort of hooks do you have? Some reviews mentioned that finding the right curtain hooks was tricky. I want a longer curtain, so that I can hang the curtain rod nice and high, so I don't just want to get one of the snap-on types Amazon suggests to go with it.

Linelle-that is very helpful, thank you! It makes a lot of sense that a rod by itself wouldn't impede anything if you leave the shower curtain open, even if it does stick out pretty far. The arc has an 8-inch curve. I had already purchased the kohler expanse rod but I think I will send it back and get the Arc. I really like the unique look.

Mayflowers, if I bother getting a curved rod I am thinking I will do what you do and take full advantage of the curve even though my room is only 8x5!!

Also pippabean, what kind of bath pillow is that?? Is that a bath pillow?

I already purchased the Moen double rod since I liked the idea of two points of support to help prevent sagging forward when you hang a towel there. Or more space between liner and curtain. However, this rod has a plastic lip where you can extend it and I'm not sure if it will catch when pulling the curtain or of the rod is durable. Drilling into tile is so permanent!

Has anyone used the Moen? Does the arc have an extension lip or is it a fixed length? Any other contenders for best curved shower rod?

Thanks for the timely discussion!

You only need a double rod if you want to keep the outer curtain stationary. My Moen single rod is attached strongly into drywall and won't sag from a towel. Use the roller bars hooks and they'll slide right over the joint.

I really like The Arc too. Localeater, please let us know how you like it when you get it installed.

Thanks mayflowers. I was concerned with catching but sounds like I can go ahead, thanks!

If anyone has a favorite, my guy doesn't come back til Thursday, so I still have some time. : )

purrus - I've just reused the double hooks that we had pre-remodel, they've got the little roller balls. The roller balls don't actually even touch the bar, so aren't really functional, but the hooks just slides easily anyway. I've kept them because I like that I'm able to remove the outer curtain separately from the liner.

As to length, many shower curtains come in two lengths, You really need the extra length due to the curve. Then you will be fine even with the snap ons. I had to shorten the liner a bit, as it reached too deep into my 22" high tub.

The "bath pillow" is a rolled up towel that is held into shape by two snap on bands on both ends, and two suction cup towel holders. DIY, because I couldn't find a comfortable and good looking bath pillow at the time, they were all so cheaply made and UGLY. It's been 6 years, there might be better ones out there now.

zellycat2 - with the arc you can control (to a point) the amount of "curve". This flexibility also allows the length of the span to be adjustable.

I ended up using the Moen double bar since I had already purchased it. I'm not impressed with the quality, installed, but I haven't used it yet. (I don't like the extension divider, the bars wiggle more than I'd like and the plate covers on the ends don't snap into place but are loose.)

The arc definitely looks much cooler (but I had so much going on I just took the easier, it's-already-here road.)

The single Moen doesn't wiggle. I wonder if that one's defective.