I have been talking about replacing my ugly blinds. Well, I came home 2 days ago and went to open them and they came crashing outta the window apparently I'm replacing them NOW!
So I went and got some curtains but the curtain rod I have now is just meant to hold decorative valances so it's a cheap metal one that CATCHES the silky fabric of the new ones when I try to open them... I need something they can slide on to close in the evening.
This window is 8 ft wide! Any ideas of where to find a metal one that won't droop in them middle... or what else I need to use if metal won't work???
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Posts: 13327 | Location: San Diego zone 10a | Registered: May 20, 2003
Any rod you use for 8' is going to need some sort of support in the middle. I have use copper piping from HD for a long curtain rod. It comes in 10' lengths that you can get them to cut to whatever length you want. I had them cut mine in half as at the time I had no way of gettin the full length in my car. I used a connecter to put them back together. I used finials and hangers that I found at HD Expo in copper but they didn't have a rod long enough. If you do use piping you will have to use either acetone or do some scrubbing with steel wool to get the printing off the pipes. Even with the cost of copper these days it is probably cheaper than finding a true rod in the length you need.
PVC pipe might also be an option. Again, you would probably need some sort of support in the middle. It can be painted what evercolor you need which is nice.
You could use PVC pipe (in plumbing dept) have it cut to size, and paint it black.
********************************************* I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas? ~~*Jean Kerr*~~
I believe the longer length rods from Country Curtains come with center supports, but I couldn't swear by it. I would confirm this before I ordered. I have always been very pleased with their customer service.
Kathy
Posts: 1523 | Location: Central Valley, CA | Registered: Jun 28, 2004
I had that trouble at our previous house. Our sliding window was 10 feet long! I bought two sconces and I had Home Depot custom cut a wooden rod, like the kind for closets and I used that. It looked nice and I could paint it to match the sconces. Then I bought decorative pieces that screwed into each end. Good luck!
BC, we have a window wall (actually GSD's and 2 windows all together) which are about 12'. So I got 2 sets of rods which were each good for about 86" and put them together. Supported it in 2 places plus the ends. Worked out well because I had 2 finials and 1/2 the rod (each set comes with 2 "pipes") left over which we used for another window. For a different window where I wanted it mounted within the frame DH painted a copper pipe black and made a "thingie" to attach it to at each end. Doesn't show with the curtains and saved me trying to find something that would work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lucky ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Happiness is a place between too little and too much. Finnish proverb ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://inspiration4u.shutterfly.com/action/
Posts: 6560 | Location: north of 50 | Registered: Feb 08, 2006
I used copper pipe , too. In my old house I wanted WT to go around a corner, so I used a copper "elbow" to go around. I now have the pipe on my K windows, just for the look of real copper. I made an outdoor shower curtain rod the same way, four pieces of pipe, 4 elbows and the used plumber's attachers to attach it to the wall. Our plumber, who installs outdoor showers in the Hamptons, absolutely loved it, and has stolen the idea. (It's okay, he gives me referrals )
Posts: 1100 | Location: Long Island,New York | Registered: Mar 11, 2007
My daughter used pvc pipe in her florida room, ran it around 3 sides of the room with elbows on the corners. You can buy seperate supports and finials. She got all of hers at Lowes.For about $15 she got 45 feet of everything she needed.
You people have great ideas. Biker, this is just an aside of what rod NOT to use. I got one from Smith and Noble for a very heavy drape that went in my DM's room on a slider. It was not a continuous length, but was split in the middle with a screw to hold the 2 pieces together. The man that installed the rod or tried to, even took a bracket and tried to reinforce the rod. Did not work. I ended up w/a ruined rod from S&N, so I could not return it. The window trmt installer got me one that was a continuous piece. It is gorgeous. The finials from Smith & Noble worked and he matched the finish. It is a heavy, thick rod & supports the drapes well. My advice, don't expect a continuous length if you order a rod over 60" from Smith & Noble. The copper pipe & even the PVC sound like good options. Here is another place I just got a catalog from:www.theshadestore.com.
I can't say what my first thought was when I read this
But I wanted to let you know to keep the weight of your fabric in mind when selecting a material to use as your rod (if you don't get one through the store). Depending on the diameter of the piping or tubing you use, you may need support brackets along the length of the rod to keep it from bowing.
Just a hopefully helpful tip!
Posts: 319 | Location: Yankee in the South | Registered: Apr 19, 2007
Get a pvc pipe, go to the Home Depot and get some of that cheap adhesive foam that you just use to fill the pipe. Once it dries, it will be sturdy enough. Color it if you wish and use wooden blocks on either end and finials if it's decorative.
See if that works for you, it works with my clients. Better than paying for a custom rod.
Tina, First of all, I see you are new...just wanted to welcome you!! I am somewhat new too. So what if your post was a little late from the original post...I loved your idea. As far as I know, there are no rules about posting on old topics. Again, welcome aboard!!!
apparently I'm replacing them NOW! 
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