In our ongoing discussion on the different types of curtains that are available out there, we have up to now only been focusing on the curtains themselves. I feel that it’s important to take a quick look at the curtain rods on which they hang, as quite often it’s the rod that will make all the difference. Many people don’t give their curtain rods anywhere near enough thought; the general consensus is that they are hidden by the curtain, and therefore unimportant in the grand scheme of things. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
If you are looking at replacing existing curtain rods, whether they are beginning to sag, or are just outdated and need freshening up, then you are going to have to take into account the curtains that you already have in your home. In these cases, the style of your curtain will dictate your choice of rod to a large degree. You may, however, be looking at setting up a new home from scratch, and if this is the case you can take a different approach to your choices. You should be incorporating the style of curtain rod into your ideas of how you want your overall home to look. Whenever thinking about curtain styles, the type of rod should also be at the forefront of your mind.
Once you have decided on a style of rod, you are going to have to make sure you get the measurements right. The first thing you need to decide is how much overhang you want on either side. Once again, if you are measuring for an existing curtain, then this will be the deciding factor; otherwise you should look at your frame to get an idea of how much room you need either side. 
If you have your curtain already chosen, then you will also need to measure the sleeve, or hooks, to determine the maximum width that the rod can be. Many people forget this point and end up with a curtain rod that doesn’t fit inside their curtain.
Browse Our Selection Of Curtain Rods
If you want something that has the potential of being a little more versatile, you could look at an adjustable curtain rod. These rods have a telescopic sleeve that they can slide in and out of, adjusting the length of the rod so that they can fit on different sized windows. Another style that you should consider is double curtain rods. Quite often you will want to have two layers of curtain on your window, for example, a sheer curtain underneath a full double panel. In these cases, both curtains will need to be hung on a rod, and the double rods allow this to occur with only one attachment on your window frame.
Their are many different types of material that are used in the creation of curtain rods, and your choice of materials will once again depend largely on your style of curtain. One of the most important factors of a curtain rod is its strength, as in some cases there will be a lot of weight pulling at them, and if they don’t have the strength to hold this weight, they will end up bending out of shape over time. Some of the materials available include wood, steel, pvc and wrought iron.
Most hardware stores will stock a range of rods, but if you really want variety, you would be better off going to a curtain specialist store. If it’s shower curtain rods you are after, then a bathroom specialist will usually have a good range to choose from. Alternatively, you can get a really good idea of the different styles available by doing some research online.