Effective window treatment with the right curtain rod

Your home is a space that is a warm and welcoming haven for you and your family. A home appeals to one of the most primitive human needs - the need to be sheltered from physical and emotional harm. Once you have invested in a home there arises the daunting task of decorating it. One of the first things a home owner does is to cover the windows with curtains because of privacy issues. But there are many home owners who often fail to comprehend the importance of curtains and their accompanying accessories in making a considerably significant impact on the decor. Among the gamut of accessories that comprise curtain hardware, the curtains rod reigns high as one of the primary components. As contemporary design elements continue to soar in popularity, these rods have shed their humble origins and evolved on a parallel line.

The contemporary curtain rod is a far cry from the days when they served only a single and exclusive purpose which was to provide an avenue for the hanging of curtains. During these times you would have witnessed a great fuss created over the selection of various home designing elements. But this fastidiousness was certainly not extended to the selection of the rods since it was meant to be an unremarkable facet of the designing agenda. Moreover the varieties of available were also not very amenable to stylishness since the choice was mostly between dowdy looking wooden and metal versions. However contemporary models of the curtains rod on offer at vitalwares.ca are highly functional and steeped in aesthetic appeal. While the traditional rod was designed in a manner that veiled it from view, the modern versions are style statements in themselves and play a rather pivotal role in enhancing the overall look and feel of the curtains. At vitalwares.ca, the contemporary curtain rod comes in enchanting designs, materials, finishes and styles that can be exploited beautifully to blend in with various types of decors.

What are the different types of curtain rod?

The modern rods come in a plethora of styles at vital wares and can be used for holding up different types of curtains. Thus the kind of curtain that you choose to hang will largely influence the type of curtain rod that would work best. Each type of rod is exclusive in the manner in which it is attached to the window trim or the wall. The right rod is potent enough to emphasize the beauty of your curtains. Furthermore at vital wares, the modern rods come in varieties that appeal to a range of budget options.

• Standard rod: The standard curtain rod is typically crafted out of aluminum and is therefore quite lightweight in nature. These types can be slid into a sleeve that is equipped at the top of the curtain and comes in varying dimensions of length and width. The standard rods do not boast of any intricate designing details since it will not be noticeable once the curtains go up on your windows. These curtain rods are fitted on two plates that sport hooks. The hooks are in turn attached to the window trim or the wall. The plates often come with two hooks on either end thus enabling you to drape a valance over the curtains.

• Spring curtain rod: This rod is extremely easy to install and does not require any specialized hardware for the purpose of installation. This is because these types of rods can hold their own weight through the help of a spring that pushes the ends of the rod in an outward direction. The spring rod can be fitted directly onto the window sill or trim. This rod is sometimes referred to as tension curtains rods and can be bought at vital wares in options of varying lengths. These rods can be installed into the sleeve of the curtain or alternately you can use curtain hangers to hang them. The spring rods come in multiple colors and serves to enhance a decorative designing scheme.

• Traverse curtain rod: The traverse rod is typically used for holding up pinch pleated draperies. Though they have been in existence for a few decades, the contemporary versions are a combination of old world charm and new age versatility. This type has built-in hangers and ropes. The rope is designed in a way that causes the curtain to open when pulled at the side. On the other hand the curtain closes when the motion on the rope is reversed. Since pinch plated draperies are quite heavy, it is natural that the curtain rod that is meant to sustain its weight should be sturdy and strong. Hence the traverse rod suits this purpose well. The pleats of the draperies are kept in place with the help of a drapery pin. The hook of the pin is then hung on the rod. The traverse rods come in dual options of a one way pull or a two way pull. Furthermore, you can enhance the convenience by linking the rope to a mechanism that will enable you to control the opening and closing of the drapes with the mere touch of a button.

• Magnetic curtain rod: The magnetic version is similar to the spring rod in the manner in which it holds itself up. The difference is that these rods use a magnet in lieu of the spring. They are decorative in nature and are fairly easy to install. The magnetic rod is slightly more expensive than the spring model and will require a metal window sill for the magnet to stick. In case you do not have metal window sills but still want to go for magnetic rods, you can easily do so by gluing magnetic strips on the window sill. The magnetic rod is a great option because it allows you to install curtains without having to drill those darned holes in your metal window sill. The magnets used in these rods are quite powerful and can withstand the weight of many types of curtains. It can again be fitted through the sleeve of the curtain and the installation is a straightforward and uncomplicated process that involves sticking it exactly where you prefer.

• Decorative curtain rod: The decorative curtain rod as the name lucidly suggests serves primarily an ornamental purpose. At vital wares, they come in many materials that include wood, vinyl and different types of metal. Most of these rods resemble poles that can be hung on a coordinated decorative wall hanger. You can also opt to put elaborately crafted finials to add to the visual interest.

• Sash curtain rod: This type is more slender in design when compared to the other kinds of rods. This type is meant to be used at a location that is slightly above the top of the window. Additionally, the curtain should be falling below the bottom of the window frame. Thus in case you are going for such an arrangement it would be advisable to choose a curtain that would be lengthier than the window.

• Cafe sash curtain rod: This type of rod bears a strong semblance to the abovementioned sash rod, but is more generous in the circumference. It is designed to protrude from the wall instead of lying flat against it. These types are also intended to be used for curtains that outsize the window frame.

What factors should I consider when buying a curtain rod?

The task of choosing the right curtain rod was fairly simple in the earlier days largely because of the absence of options in terms of designs and materials. But contemporary designing styles have redefined the utility of the once unassuming and modest rods. At vital wares, the modern home owner is confronted by a dazzling array of rods that can be converted into a profound style statement. There are numerous options to be considered when you are choosing the size, finish, designing and material. For people who have an innate flair for home decorating, this scenario is heaven sent. But as far as the immature home decorator is concerned, the wide range of available choices can only serve to further bewilder an already confused mind. A home decor gaffe that you can commit is to select something that is obvious in its awkwardness and does not really contribute to the overall decor. In case you have a penchant for designing errors, the following tips will help you in purchasing the right curtain rod.

• Match the decor: It would be the ultimate style disaster to incorporate a design element that is not compatible with the established decor of your room. For example a curtain rod that exudes contemporary appeal will not only look out of place in a rustic decor but will also diminish the vitality of the overall design scheme. Instead, you can utilize such a rod in a contemporary or transitional setting.

• Match the curtains: It would be a good idea to buy your curtains prior to purchasing the curtain rod. This is because the type of rod will be reliant on the weight and nature of the curtain. For instance if you are choosing heavy pinch pleated draperies, a lightweight rod will not be able to uphold its weight. Conversely a heavy rod will be wasted and will look out of place if your intention is to use light curtains.

• Type: Different types of curtain rods are designed to cater to specific purposes and designing schemes. Therefore it would be ill advised to buy the first curtain rod that catches your fancy. Rather you should assess the qualities of each type of rod and gauge your individual needs in order to make a sensible choice.

• Measure the window: Window sizes are never of a standard size when it comes to different homes. Therefore it is of critical value that you take appropriate and precise measurements of the windows before you invest in a rod. For this you will only need to measure the dimensional configuration of the outside part of your window. This is the part that will be used for installing the curtain rod. A wise move such as this will make sure that you do not have to be saddled with the job of returning a rod that is inadequate for your requirements. The rule of window treatment prescribes that the chosen rod should outflank your window by at least 5 inches. This will ensure that your windows obtain total coverage.

• Strength: The strength of the rod is a vital factor in ensuring the effective display of curtains. You would not want to end up with one that sags and forms a curve because of its inability to cope with the weight of the curtain. Thus it would be an exercise in foresight to choose a model in accordance with its competence to hold particular kinds of curtains. For heavy curtains, you must choose a solid rod. Additionally you can consider some supporting devices for extra support.

• Durability: Consider the factor of durability when you are choosing the curtain rod. Ensure that the material that it is made of is of a good quality and will survive in the climatic conditions of your area. Though contemporary rods are made to be resistant to the elements, it would be prudent to seek superior quality.

• Cost: Superior quality rods will obviously dictate a higher price tag. A fact to keep in mind is that a good rod can work wonders for the way your curtains look. However this does not mean that you have to invest in something that goes beyond the frontiers of your budget. Make a survey of your needs and the above mentioned factors to make a choice that would be both functional and cost effective in the long run.

• Installation: After going through the vagaries of choosing the right curtain rod, it would be a shame to see them installed in an improper manner. Mark the height and angle on the wall where you would want the rod to be installed. In case you falter, enlist the help of a professional.