How to choose the curtain rod for curtains: material, fastening, accessories

It is impossible to imagine curtains without a cornice, which not only holds them, but also plays a huge decorative role. The choice of a particular cornice depends on many factors: type of curtains, interior, wall color and of furniture, window opening dimensions, etc. The cornice is that detailon which do not often pay attention, but it is he who is able to visually make the window larger if it is hung above the window opening, or if it is longer than the window itself. Today's market offers a lot of different models of cornices, which differ not only in color and decorative features, but also in the method of fastening, material, etc. It is very difficult to get confused in all this variety, therefore it is better to study all possible assortment in advance and understand what suits your room best.

Cornices classification

In appearance

Externally, the eaves can be completely different: round, baguette, string, tire, etc. All of them have a lot of differences, features and advantages, so they are perfect in every specific situation.

1. Round cornices. This is the most common and universal option. In this case, the cornice is a pipe with a diameter of 1-4 cm, very often there is a second pipe of a smaller diameter - 2-3 mm. The greater the weight of the curtains, the larger the diameter of the pipe is needed. There may be options with the third pipe, but still two-pipe are the most common. One of the rods is intended for a heavy curtain, the second - for a light tulle. Such cornices are made of wood, metal or plastic, fit perfectly into the classic and many other interiors, easy to operate.
2. Framing moldings. This type of curtain rods is distinguished by the fact that there is a special decorative strip that covers the entire system of fastening curtains, which remains uncovered in round curtain rods. The plank can be made in gold, silver, repeat the pattern of the laminate, parquet, etc. - in stores there are any, even the most daring options in the idea children's drawingsinteresting ornaments. Often, spotlights are hidden under the same bar, giving the window and curtain area a special look.
3. String cornices instead of a round pipe, a thin cable is used, on which the curtains are attached. The main advantage of such structures is that they are almost invisible, do not distract attention, are suitable for any style of interior. But you cannot attach heavy curtains to such a cornice, and this must be remembered.
4. Profiled cornices They are made of a square aluminum tube, which can be bent as you like, getting the most unusual and bizarre shapes. It is with the help of such eaves that they make out arched window openings, multi-level structures, etc. By the way, such cornices are most often used if you want to supplement the window opening with a lambrequin, which is fastened with Velcro to the facade of the product.
5. Rail or tire cornices especially suitable when windowsill not so wide. They are a plastic or aluminum guide, in which a groove is cut. Rollers with hooks are inserted into this groove, which quietly and easily slide if necessary to open or close the curtain. Such a fastening system is cautioned against loss by special plugs.
6. For Austrian and Roman curtains use special cornices, which may differ depending on the method of raising the curtains. So, the most common are open, rope-lifting and closed. For japanese curtains they also use a special type of cornice, which consists of several rows of guide rails for panels.
7. Combined cornices can occur when three different types of curtains are combined on the window.

By material

All the above types of cornices can also differ in the material of execution, and most often wood, metal and plastic are used.

1. Wooden cornices - A classic that fits well in almost all types of interiors, except for such as modern and hi-tech. These are durable beautiful products made of natural wood, and those species that have pronounced longitudinal fibers are used mainly: coniferous, oak, walnut, cherry, etc. Such cornices are most often found in single-row execution, but there are also two-row ones.
2. Hardware - a clear favorite among all types of cornices. At first, they may seem rustic, but in terms of decorative properties they are not inferior to other materials: they can be used to make stylish, beautiful products, use forged elements, etc., so metal curtain rods fit perfectly into absolutely any type of interior. But their main advantage is the ability to withstand curtains of enormous weight: even printed curtains, at least tapestry. But in combination with light tulle, the metal cornice looks very harmonious. Forged cornices occupy a special place, which are able to introduce elements of luxury into the interior, and perfectly complement the Baroque style and Provence. Forged cornice can become another element in the ensemble of forged products in the room, and can be an independent decoration. Such products can be black or white, made under brass, silver or bronze, and to save money, you can choose a curtain rod with imitation forging.
3. Plastic cornices - A cheap alternative to the two previous options. Despite their low price, such products are presented in a huge number of colors and boast a wide selection of designs. They are easy to install, operate, but when buying them, it is worth remembering that light plastic burns out faster in the sun, but dark cornices will serve you for many years if you do not hang too heavy curtains on them.

By way of fastening

1. Ceiling cornices - A recent hit, as it allows you to visually make the window larger, and even hide some minor defects above the window. Typically, ceiling, curtain rods use a string, rail or rod mount, where curtains are worn: only tulle, tulle and drapes, etc. From above, all fasteners are closed with a baguette with rounded edges, and as a result we get a beautiful design. In the northern regions, such a mount is also widespread because it can cut off a large amount of cold air penetrating the house from the street. The decorative strip for the cornice is chosen in the color of furniture, parquet or ceiling, and the advantage is that when changing the interior it is easy to replace the strip with another, and the cornice becomes already fully consistent with the updates.
2. Wall cornices used in cases where the ceiling is located much higher than the upper edge of the window opening. In addition, this design is recommended for use in the presence of suspended or suspended ceilings.

By the number of guides and the control method

As mentioned above, in the ledge can be one or more guides, and the choice of a particular model depends on which curtains you want to hang. So, for only curtains or tulle, one guide is enough, if you need to combine them, two. Less often there are cornices with three guides, which are also designed for the use of a lambrequin.

By way of management cornices can be manual or electric. If with tame everything is clear, and everyone knows how the process of opening curtains occurs, then the electric ones are of interest. If the curtains hang high, and they often have to be opened and closed, then it is quite appropriate to equip them electric drive: when you press a certain button, the curtains will be moved apart or moved due to the cable starting to move the carriage with hooks. Many are also powered models of roller blinds.

Accessories for cornices

The cornice performs a fixing function, but also those elements are needed that will connect the cornice itself with the curtain canvas. In this case, there are a lot of possible options, and the most common are as follows:

• hooks and clamps. With their help, it is very simple to attach the curtain to the ledge, and there is no noise during movement;
• eyelets - plastic or metal rings at the top of the curtains. It is important that the diameter of the ring is greater than the diameter of the guide itself, so that the curtains can move freely;
• rings with the help of a wide variety of types of fastenings, they hold onto the curtain curtain, and they themselves are strung on a round cornice. When moving, a loud unpleasant sound may occur, so it is better to pay attention to the rubberized options;
• eyelets curtains are immediately attached to the canvas, so there are no special problems with stringing. The advantage of this fastening is the soundlessness when opening / closing, the absence of the need to monitor the correct and proportional location of the fastening points each time you put on the curtains.

In addition, you need to pick up under the eaves and bracketsAnd, if the length of the cornice is more than 2 meters, then it is better to use three brackets. They can be completely different, but you need to choose them for the prevailing interior. You can also purchase and tips for cornicethat will perform a decorative function, if made in the form of beautiful balls, butterflies, forged elements, etc. Tips are also necessary so that when moving the curtains along the cornice, they do not accidentally fly off it. By the way, both the cornice and the tips for children's rooms can be chosen very interesting: with animals, fruits, etc. There are also special handles that help to move and extend the curtains, as well as uniformly fold them.

Cornice design

First of all, you need to clearly determine the length of the cornice: you can make it only slightly larger than the width of the window opening, or you can make it much larger to visually erase the borders of the window and make it a little larger. In any case, you need to choose a cornice so that it is convenient to open the curtains, so that convenient access to the window sill and window is maintained.

Some types of cornices will be preferable in a certain interior style. So, for the classics, a metal forged or wooden cornice is suitable, but you can also use baguettes that resonate with furniture in their design, wallpaper in the room. String, rail and profile constructions fit perfectly into the interior in a high-tech style, and curtains on eyelets are well suited for modernity.

Ethnic style obliges the use of natural materials, so only a wooden cornice and the same baguette will be appropriate here. A for oriental interiorsthat require splendor and luxury in everything, all kinds of curtain rods with several guides are perfect.

If in doubt that you can choose the "correct" and the most suitable cornice, then use ceiling structures.

Do not forget that the type of cornice must be correlated with those curtainsthat you use: heavy dense canvases can only withstand a metal round cornice, and for a thin translucent tulle, a string will be more appropriate. For small rooms it is better to use light translucent curtains and choose the appropriate curtain rod. And the lambrequins in a small room are completely inappropriate.

In conclusion

It would seem that the cornice is an almost imperceptible detail in the interior, but its wrong choice can reduce all your other efforts to nothing. It is very important that the eaves not only harmonize with the interior of the room, but also be as functional and appropriate for the selected curtains.