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Curtain rods and drapery hardware

Follow the guide as we raise the curtain on drapery rods and hardware. Find out about the various types of rods and rails available, their main features and functions and their mounting methods, to see which are most suitable for your drapery.

Factors to Consider

To decide what type of rod or rail to buy for your curtains, you will need to consider the following factors:

Weight of fabric

Not all curtain rods and rails can support the weight of heavy fabrics. For example, for insulated or blackout drapes a wood pole may be best, while for sheers you could opt for a tension cable rod.

Style of curtain

There’s a rod or rail to suit every type of curtain. Japanese panel shades, for instance, have their own specially designed tracks. 

Style of room

Each type of curtain rod will add a different accent. While a wood pole lends natural warmth, a PVC rod may suit a more modern setting. 

Location of the window

You might have the choice of mounting the rod on the wall or on the ceiling, depending on the window’s location. The mounting method will then help you decide on the best type of rod. 

Rods and rails

Plain, decorative, fun or functional: curtain rods enhance your window treatments and influence the room’s style. Read on to learn more about the various styles of drapery rods and rails available, their main features and the correct mounting methods for each.

Types of curtain rods and rails

Your choice of curtain rod or rail will depend on the type of drapery you are hanging. While poles remain the most popular style, other types of rods might be more appropriate depending on your needs. 

Extendable rods or rails

Features

  • Made of wood, PVC, metal, resin, or wrought iron.
  • May come with decorative matching finials.
  • May be extendable (telescopic).
  • Curtain is hung with rings, clips or hooks.
  • Variety of finishes.

Mounting and Measuring

  • Mounted above the window, on the wall, between two walls, or on the ceiling.
  • A long rod will require a centre bracket for additional support.
  • Must clear each side of the window by 20 cm.
  • Minimum rod diameter:
    • 5/8" for sheers;
    • 1 3/8" for curtains;
    • 1 1/2" for lined or insulated drapes.

Curtain types

Best suited for heavy materials, e.g. blackout or insulated drapes.


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Cable Tension Rod

Features

  • Sleek and modern.
  • Made from steel wire pulled taut between metal finials.
  • The curtain is hung from the wire with rings or clips.

Mounting and measuring

  • Mounted above the window, on brackets, between two walls or even on the ceiling.

Curtain types

  • Ideal for lightweight curtains and sheers.
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Flash Sash Rod

Features

  • Made of metal or PVC.
  • Adapts to all types of windows.
  • Designed for small window panes.
  • Ideal for PVC windows that cannot have holes drilled in them (due to their insulating properties).
  • Some rods are telescopic (extendable).

Mounting and measuring

  • Thin flat rod fixed to the top part of the window by way of adhesive pads or tacks pushed into the window casement.

Curtain types

  • Ideal for lightweight curtains and sheers.
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Drapery Track

Features

  • Made of metal or PVC.
  • Composed of a metal rail with a track along which small gliders run. The curtains are attached to the gliders using curtain hooks.
  • Curtains are easy to open and close using a cord or wand (baton).

Mounting and measuring

  • Mounts to the wall above the window.
  • Special brackets make it possible to layer more than one set of curtains by installing the drapery track in parallel with another type of curtain rod.

Curtain types

  • Good choice for lightweight curtain fabrics.
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Track for Japanese sliding fabric panels

Features

  • The fabric panels slide along channels in the track.
  • The panels are held by plastic fasteners attached to a metal rail.

Mounting and measuring

  • Ceiling-mounted.

Curtain types

  • Specifically, for Japanese panels.
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Spring-tension and extendable tension rod

Features

  • Interior spring mechanism or lever lets you adjust length.
  • Adjusts to fit any width of window.

Mounting and measuring

  • Mounts inside window frame.
  • Rubber ends hold rod in place; no mounting hardware required.

Curtain types

  • Ideal for lightweight curtains.
  • Suitable for shower curtains.
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Decorative sash rod

Features

  • Designed for tier curtains or panels.
  • Adjustable.
  • Ideal for lace or net curtains hung across bottom half of window.

Mounting and measuring

  • Generally mounted to wall or ceiling depending on type of bracket.
  • A universal bracket can be used.

Curtain types

  • Ideal for lace or net panels.
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Café rod

Features

  • Available in a variety of materials and finishes.
  • Adjustable. Especially suited to small windows.
  • Ideal for lace or net curtains hung across lower section of the window (café curtains).

Mounting and measuring

  • Generally wall-mounted.
  • Requires a specific bracket for café rods.

Curtain types

  • Designed for very light or sheer fabrics.
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Single or double rod

Features

  • Most common type of curtain rod.
  • Made of metal.
  • Adjustable.
  • Straight or curved models available.
  • Various lengths to fit different window sizes.

Mounting and measuring

  • Wall-mounted.
  • Requires single or double brackets depending on number of curtains.
  • Double brackets allow you to layer curtains.

Curtain types

  • Ideal for lightweight curtains and sheers.
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L-beam track with runners and end-stop

Features

  • Made of metal.
  • Has wheeled runners, each with a hole in which to insert the curtain hook.
  • Curtains are drawn by pulling a cord that moves the drapery along the track.

Mounting and measuring

  • Generally wall-mounted.

Curtain types

  • Ideal for sheer and lightweight fabrics.
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Traverse rod

Features

  • Designed for hanging pinch-pleat curtains.
  • Curtains can be drawn manually or with a cord.
  • Made of aluminium or PVC.
  • Opens at centre (split draw) for a pair of curtains or to one side (one-way draw), to the left or right.

Mounting and measuring

  • Can be mounted on wall, ceiling or between walls.

Curtain types

  • Designed for hanging pinch-pleat curtains.
  • Diverse range of rods designed to carry different curtain weights. 
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Magnetic rod

Features

  • Suitable for metal-clad windows or steel doors.
  • Rod usually made of plastic or brass.
  • Adjustable.

Mounting and measuring

  • Magnetic mounts hold the rod to the metal surface.
  • Avoids having to drill into the door or window frame.

Curtain types

  • Suitable for sheer or very lightweight fabrics.
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Hinged rod

Features

  • Highly decorative.
  • For a door or window pane that is opened regularly.
  • Sometimes adjustable.
  • Made from various types of materials, e.g. wrought iron and aluminium.

Mounting and measuring

  • Wall-mounted.
  • Simple hinged mount makes it easy to pivot the rod.

Curtain types

  • For lightweight curtains or sheers.
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Wide pocket rod (various widths)

Features

  • For rod pocket curtains.
  • Made of aluminium or PVC.
  • Provides a classic look.
  • Adjustable length.
  • Variable clearance from wall.
  • Available in several widths.

Mounting and measuring

  • Generally mounted to the wall or between walls.

Curtain types

  • Suitable for all curtain weights. 
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Materials

Curtain rods are made from various materials; the choice varies according to the rod’s style and function.

Wrought iron

  • Lends a homespun, country feel
  • Solid, sturdy material

Steel

  • Very robust material
  • Always a popular choice
  • Timeless, durable material

Wood

  • On trend
  • Adds charm and lends a natural look
  • Available in a range of colours and stains

Metal

  • Solid and sturdy
  • Ideal for heavy drapery such as insulated curtains
  • Because they are strong, metal rods do not need to be as thick as other types of poles to carry the same weight

Plastic

  • Lightweight material
  • Good choice for sheer and lace fabrics

PVC

  • Stylish and contemporary
  • Sturdy material which comes in a variety of colours

Most of these curtain rods are also available in an array of finishes – matte, shiny, smooth, brushed, distressed, etc.

Mounting

Curtain rods can be mounted to the wall, between two walls, on the ceiling, or inside the window frame. It all depends on the type of window and the look you want to achieve. The following mounting methods are the same for most curtain rods.

On the wall, between walls, or on the ceiling

  1. Decide where to place the brackets:
    • To be able to draw curtains freely, the pole or rod should be 5 to 10 cm above the window. If there is a valance, increase this distance to 20 cm.
    • Using a rule and level, draw a line above the window to help you position the brackets.
    • Extend this line by 15 to 20 cm on either side of the window and mark the position of the brackets with a pencil.
    • Use the same method for wall-to-wall or ceiling mounting. For a ceiling mount, use a square to help you transfer the bracket locations to the ceiling.
  2. Screw the brackets to the wall or ceiling. You may need to use anchors or plugs for additional strength if the curtains are heavy.
  3. Measure the distance between the brackets and add another 15 to 20 cm to find the ideal length of the curtain rod. If the rod is adjustable you can lengthen it once it is in place. You may also be able to cut the rod to size.
    • Long, heavy rods will require a centre bracket for extra support.

Inside the window frame

Flat sash rods are generally extendable and very easy to install. These rods fit inside the window casement or frame. Most have a hole at the end which slips onto a pin on the self-adhesive mounting hook; others can be screwed directly into the window frame, and some models have tacks at the end which you push into the frame. The rod can be installed at any height you like.

Brackets

Some types of curtain rods must be supported by brackets mounted to the wall or ceiling, or between two walls.

Extension bracket

Features

  • Ideal for extendable rods.
  • Strong, which makes it perfect for thick or blackout curtains.
  • Wall, ceiling or wall-to-wall mount.
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Ceiling bracket

Features

  • For ceiling-mount curtain rods. Its mechanism holds the rod in place.
  • Holes must be drilled in the ceiling.
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Café rod bracket

Features

  • Specifically designed to support café rods.
  • Can be fastened to the wall or ceiling.
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Single or double rod brackets

Features

  • Mounts to the wall.
  • Supports lightweight or sheer curtains.
  • Use a single bracket if you only have one pair of curtains to hang. Use a double bracket if you want to layer curtains, e.g. sheer panels and drapes.
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Universal bracket for wall, ceiling or inside mounting

Features

  • A universal bracket can be mounted to the ceiling, wall, or wall-to-wall.
  • Suitable for curtain poles, café rods and sash rods.
  • Ideal for lightweight fabrics.
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Rings and Hooks

To hang your curtains you can use rings, clips or hooks, depending on your chosen decor style and whether you are using a rod or a track system. Some curtains have rings incorporated in the header itself.

Rings

Traditional curtain rings attach to hooks in the curtain header or clip directly onto the fabric.

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Pinch clips

The clips grip the fabric and the hook part is inserted in the eyehook or carrier on the rod or track.

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Slip-on drapery hooks

The looped end slips into the pleat of the curtain and the hook part is inserted in the eyehook or carrier on the rod or track.

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Drapery pins

The sharp end of the hook pushes up into the pleat of the curtain and the hook part is inserted in the eyehook or carrier on the rod or track.

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Accessories

Decorative hardware and accessories can be used in a variety of ways to add stylish accents to your window treatments.

Finials

  • Finials are the decorative pieces that fit on the ends of a curtain pole or rod.
  • Available in a multitude of designs and materials from chrome balls to wrought-iron scrolls, these attractive and versatile accessories allow you to personalize your decor.
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Holdbacks

  • Holdbacks are used, as their name suggests, to hold back the curtains at each side of the window during the day.
  • Made from rigid material, they come in varying designs to add style and interest to the decor.
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Tiebacks and tassels

  • Tiebacks serve the same purpose as holdbacks but are generally made of fabric or traditional tassels.
  • Available in myriad styles to complement the curtains, from simple and classic to the more original or elaborate.
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Curtain clips

  • Just like tiebacks, these clips are also designed to keep the curtains neatly in place on either side of the window. The clips have a “jaw” that grips the fabric.
  • A stylish and contemporary alternative to traditional tiebacks.
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