Yeah, so, the web sites are next to useless. Forgot - I gave up trying to figure it out on Build.com and went to the Moen site, which isn't much better. After I selected, went back to Build.com to buy. My alcove is 58 & 3/8". If you filter on 'Shower Rods' and 'Chrome' (if that's the finish you want - see link below) you get 11 choices. (Note, if you filter on 'Curved Shower Rods' you only get 1 choice - go figure.) With the link below, you throw out the bottom two because they're tension rods and the double rod if you don't want that. Leaves 8. What's the difference besides the price and the end cap? When you check the description, it will say "adjustable for 5' to 6' alcove" - that's the tube within a tube kind. The ones that say "designed to fit a 5' surround securely" means it's a fixed size and you have to cut it if it's too big. Since 5' is 60", I went with CSR2165 and will have to cut off a little less than 2". CSR2166 is the same only for 6' opening (72") or less. With the curved rods, you don't want to be too far away. Cutting off too much won't work, unless you maintain the angle, although the pivoting mounting on some helps. Here is a link that might be useful: Moen Chrome Shower Rods This post was edited by DreamingoftheUP on Sun, Apr 6, 14 at 16:39

Thanks for all the replies-- they are helpful. @Homebound, I think what you are requesting is reasonable. Truth be told-- I have become friendly with contractor over the past few years (he has done other work-- but no tile work). This makes the process a bit more painful. I don't have a problem with the wall tile-- but as you can see from photo--- some corners were cut. As you can see he tiled around shower rod-- that one I don't understand at all as I had asked him to remove shower rod. (the photo was flipped). I will meet up with him in a few days to discuss. I'm leaning towards having him rip out existing floor--- and biting the bullet and having someone else install the floor tile. This post was edited by nyc_uws on Mon, Dec 31, 12 at 13:33

I don't want to drill into the tile either. The tile can crack and it is not guaranteed that won't be a problem. My fairly expensive tile is apparently 'delicate', at that, according to the tiling company. Besides, I might want to do glass doors at some point and wouldn't want to end up with extraneous holes showing. I believe I have seen that where there are old holes showing. I have a tension rod which has been working fine. It adjusts quite tightly by twisting the multi-piece rod. No labor expense or need to schedule time off from work either. It's a completely flexible installation which is always a plus with me. The curtain is not heavy though.

Actually had two shower curtains on my alcove shower. One was a fixed shower curtain that was hung on an exterior rod from wall to wall. It had a valance and two fixed panels, one on either side. Then, I had another shower curtain. This was a plain white cloth curtain that was on the rod. It was on rings that also included a plastic curtain for water protection. So....two rods. An exterior one. That was covering my end walls/tiles. Then, a regular bath rod that held both a fabric outer curtain and a plastic one. We no longer have this system or I would post a photo. But, yes...it can be done!