Hardware for Window Curtains: Rods, Poles, Finials, and More
New window blinds or blinds can change the look of a room, but also remember to keep in mind new fasteners (the things the blinds hang from). Curtain rods, columns, finials, stanchions, and rings are available in both modern and traditional styles to complement your decor..
Drapery hardware is not an afterthought in window design, but it is an integral part of window treatments and another decorative element with which you can create your final look. For example, if your heart is set on tabbed curtains, you need to plan to use the appropriate type of penis at the same time that you consider your treatment, because the penis will appear and become part of the overall appearance. For a swag-style treat, a good portion of your shaft will also be showing off.
You also need to think about whether or not the window treatment should move. Are you dealing with a large group of windows that you want to expose completely in the daytime? You can consider a metal shaft with grommets for easy movement. For a small window where a single-panel fabric handle can be easily pushed back, try a single-sided swag stand.
Take a look at some of the most common components for installing window treatments:
Rods or Poles: Use either a rod or a post to hang most window treatments.
• The bars are made of plastic or metal and are usually adjustable, and come in many different finishes including brass, gold, brushed metal, wrought iron, and brushed metal. They come in many shapes: grooved, twisted, rounded, square, and many more.
• On the other hand, poles are usually made of wood, bamboo, plastic or metal, but they are not adjustable. Wooden poles come in several types. Pine and birch are the two most common types, and you can usually paint or stain them if they haven’t been treated.
Brackets: Brackets are the supporting brackets that hold the rails and all columns in place. They can be installed on walls, window frames, or even ceilings. Some arches are purely functional, while others have a decorative life of their own. Most interior mounting rails (the rails that fit inside a window frame, such as tension rails) don’t need brackets, so this piece of hardware isn’t always necessary.
Finials: Crowns are the final accessories you add after the rod or shaft has slipped into the two arches while it is in place. Crowns are both decorative and practical; They are attractive and prevent curtain rings from slipping off the rod or pole. (Again, the inner mounting rails do not use end trims.)
If you are working with an external mounting rod and decide to use decorative brackets, let your end ends match exactly their style, or let the bracket shine. You don’t want too many conflicting patterns to distract from your window treatments.
Ring or Clips: The last item to add is the grommets or clips that attach to the fabric at the top of the treatment and bypass the rod or shaft.
• Curtain rings have smaller eyelets at the bottom (where you can sew a curtain ring to the fabric or add a small hook) or small inner clips (to hold the fabric). They come in several finishes to compliment other hardware elements.
• Café clips, sometimes called clip rings, have small clips at the bottom that are often concealed with beautiful decorative trim, such as leaves, stars, or other shapes.
Many home hardware stores also have rods, brackets, and crowns in sets, but you can still mix and match if you like. Buying kits takes most of the guesswork out of hardware, but doesn’t allow for much creativity. If you choose to mix and match, make sure everything works together and complements each other.
Test your rings to make sure they fit your shaft or rod and make sure your ends fit your shaft or rod. Also check to see if your choice of fixture hardware complements the theme in your room or window treatment. For example, if your damask fabric features a scroll design, see if you can find a wooden or iron stand that has a similar scroll design. Just remember: your hardware items should look great and fit nicely together.