skip to main content

Windows Design Dilemma living room

Drapery rod diameter

2 months ago

I'm ordering custom length non-telescoping rods from Etsy and have a choice between 1 1/8" or 1 1/2" diameter rods. I have 3 sliding glass doors to cover: 1 will be about 10' long and 2 will be 6.5'. I see that most customers are ordering the 1.5" diameter ones, but I thought I read somewhere that slightly smaller rods are more current these days.

My draperies are a medium weight woven fabric & are thinly lined + pins & rings, but not pinch pleated. I"m going to try (4) 54" panels on the large door & (2) each on the smaller ones to see if they will be full enough. Our space is open plan living rm./dining space/kitchen, with standard ht. walls & cathedral ceiling. So, I'm wondering what people think I should do on here . . .

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
Well how big are the rings ? You need to make sure that the rod is small enough to allow the rings to slide easily for opening and closing . I have never actually thought rod size was item thst was in or out it is trully dependant on the size of the rings I like my drapes to be at least 2.5 times the width of the rod if that helps It also is helpful to know what direction the windows face since lining does not stand up well in a very sunny window .
jencorpe thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
chispa
2 months ago
I dislike skimpy rods, specially if you have a large span and high ceilings. I just did 2" rods spanning 12 ft and placed 10.5 ft high for long pinch pleated panels on rings. I went with what looked proportional for the space, material and design of the room/house.

Smaller rods are probably "in" because people don't want to wait for, or pay for, the thicker rods! I had to wait 6 weeks for my hardware.
jencorpe thanked chispa
Related Discussions
Any 'rules of thumb' for diameter of curtain rods?!
Q
Comments (5)
I've only used the tinyest rods on very small windows (one in my master bath actually), where a bigger rod would be too bulk. But you do need to take into account the visable and actual weight of the curtains you'll be hanging. I'm doing inter and outter lined curtains with blacklight fabric and two layers of silk. They'll be trimmed with a bulky fringe on two sides....something that heavy in visable weight, (and heavy due to the blackout fabric) should be supported with a pretty hefty rod both for looks (we talk about scale all the time here...it's the same thing) and for their ability to hold up the heavy drapes without drooping. Then you look at material. Iron rods are often thinner because a 4" iron rod would weigh a freaking ton LOL You could only mount something like that on studs, and visably they'd be HUGE given the dark structure of the rods. Normaly you can't find more than a 2" rod in iron for that reason, and an iron rod is definately going to be able to hold a light weight cotton drape, so you can go skinny with those. My basement window is 8' wide, so for it I went with a three inch diameter rod, both for stregnth (to span that area) and for visable weight. Often the rod sellers will suggest additional upport if you order say a 10' rod and no middle bracket....read their fine print, it normally covers recommended span areas.
...See More
Drapery rods...thick or thin?
Q
Comments (3)
2 1/4" rods are gorgeous and look at their very best when they can be displayed on a high ceiling. I'm terribly jealous that you have 12' ceilings LOL The "iron look" rods are probably actually Iron and they're terribly expensive but lovely as well. You should use a rod syle that suits your window treatments as well as your scale and decor. You should never buy rods in any particular style or width just because you see they're currently in the magazines. Good rods are an investment so you want them to suit the space you're in, verses the one in the elle decor magazine.
...See More
Where will I find a drapery rod that's 11 feet wide?
Q
Comments (18)
Hi dana g, all I've done so far is take one of the rods out of the box! At first, I thought there was a problem with the rod because it extended only 24". I called the store and the woman I spoke with told me that BOTH ends extend. I felt so silly, but I think this will work in my favor to disguise the slight difference in the diameter of the rod as it is extended. The panels on either side will probably cover the extension, with only the center portion showing. We'll see. This is going to be a long, slow process for me. Tomorrow I hope to remove the existing window treatments and patch the holes left from them. After that, I can hang the poles. Then the panels will need some slight alterations. I thought you were using actual closet rods, but instead Lowes has drapery rods in the larger diameter. And it's nice to have all the options with the finials, rings and brackets. Good luck with your project. If I fail with the Opus rods, I'll be looking at Lowes, too. Isn't amazing how what seems like such a simple project can be so complicated? Please post pictures of your window when it's complete.
...See More
1.75" diameter oil rubbed bronze metal drapery rod
Q
Comments (3)
Ran a search for you and the only thing I came up with was metal shower rods. These would work by buying two for each window and using the smaller rod to extend in middle. You would have to buy the supports and decorative ends, but they wouldn't add much to the price. They came up a lot and plenty of choices. Of course Amazon was the best selection. If anyone is a DIY, any metal rod from a big box store can be used for one. Then spray painted with ORB and a good clear coat. Not sure how long rubbing would last for the paint. Link is for a metal orb one. Here is a link that might be useful: Metal Rod
...See More
jencorpe
Original Author
2 months ago
Patricia, I haven't bought the rings yet - was waiting to decide on the diameter of the rod 1st.
jencorpe
Original Author
2 months ago
Chispa, you're probably right. I noticed many of the telescoping rods are 1", but I know I don't want those. I hate how the rings get caught on the connection point and don't like the look either. I'm going to experiment with using a splicer to connect 2 larger dia. sections of 2 telescoping rods because it could save me at least half, if it works. Well see . . .
PRO
IronRods
2 months ago
This is a good place for information about curtain rods

https://ironrods.com/

Related Stories

WINDOW TREATMENTS Learn the Lingo of Drapery Rods and Accessories

By Shane D. Inman

Understanding these drapery hardware options is essential to window treatments that hang properly and look polished

DECORATING GUIDES Pick the Right Drapery Top for Your Room's Style

By Shane D. Inman

From rod pockets to goblet pleats, the headings of your curtains speak volumes about your attention to detail

DECORATING GUIDES The Art of the Window: Drapery Solutions for Difficult Types and Shapes

By Jess McBride

Stymied by how to hang draperies on a nonstandard window? Check out these tips for dressing 10 tricky window styles

WINDOW TREATMENTS Drapery Diary: Stationary Styles

By Jess McBride

These window treatments are designed for looks instead of function

Curtain Rods: Wood or Metal?

By Love Your Room LLC

Give your windows top billing with curtain hardware that hits the high notes

WINDOW TREATMENTS The Case for Stationary Draperies

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Curtains that open and close are great in some situations, but stationary draperies can give you a better view (and save money too)

WINDOW TREATMENTS The Drapery Diary: The Case for Custom

By Jess McBride

Use this handy guide to discover the ins and outs of customized drapery

DECORATING GUIDES Custom Draperies 101

Say yes to great fabric, liner and hardware

WINDOW TREATMENTS The Drapery Diary: Tab and Tie Tops

By Jess McBride

Discover the best ways to work these casual curtain styles into your home

WINDOW TREATMENTS The Art of the Window: 10 Ways to Love Draperies

By Jess McBride

Consider these ideas for adorning your windows with full-length fabric

Sponsored

Everest Granite & Remodeling

9 Reviews

Loudoun County's Custom Granite and Marble Fabricator & Installer

More Discussions

Does this exist for windows?

5

What do you think of dimensions for proposed window in kitchen update?

12

do impact glass sliding doors with integrated blinds exist?

10

new window to wall in dark room

2

TRIM ISSUES! need help with some tight areas.

13