Curtain Rods & Tracks - The Complete Guide

CURTAIN RODS  

Curtain rods are a large visual part of a curtain. They anchor the curtain, giving it strength and substance and can transform the look of a room. Curtain rods are a lot more attractive than basic curtain tracks. Finials are on each end of the rod to stop the rings or glides from coming off the ends and finish off the look of the rod. The finials can either be simple end caps or quite decorative and add personality and interest to the curtain.

It is really important to carefully consider where the curtain rod is mounted. You can achieve a lot of height by taking the curtain rod above the architrave. Most people are happy with a minimum of 200mm above the window opening, but it is not uncommon to go a lot higher. It is all about achieving a balance that is in proportion with your windows. By taking the curtain rod past the window opening either side, this can make the window appear wider.

It is all about creating illusions. For example when there are several windows in a room, all different sizes and heights, mounting rods at the same height and possibly a roller blind behind mounted just under the rod can disguise the fact that there are all different amounts of space above each window. 

The rod can be either be face fixed (to the wall or architrave), or top fixed (under the ceiling). There are different bracket projections available. Deep bracket projections are often required. For example if there is a blind behind the curtain or hydronic heating under the window.

Curtain rods are generally only hand drawn. Some styles can be bent or curved to accommodate bay or corner windows.

Glide rods (tube slider rods)  

These are the most popular choice of curtain rods. The curtain sits under the rod on glides that go under the brackets, therefore you can have as many brackets as required to support the weight of the curtain. This is a significant plus in comparison to rods and rings, which only allow you to have 2 or 3 brackets.

They come as either single rods or double rods so that you can have for example a sheer curtain on the front rod and a lining curtain on the back rod.  

There are different types of brackets available depending on what surface you are fixing to. Top fixed brackets are used if fitting under a square set ceiling, face fix brackets are used when fitting to the face of the wall or architrave. Side fix brackets are used when fixing wall to wall (eg. a changing room in a clothes store). There are concealed bracket plates and pillar brackets which are great as they hide the screws used to fix the rod to the wall. Different brands offer different styles of brackets, and some will be more attractive than others, so it is really important to know what brackets you will be getting.

Some glide rods styles have half rings that glide over the brackets. This gives the rod more interest and detail.

They come in a selection of colours and finishes. If you want to make a feature of the rod and add some strength to the window treatment a matt black finish works well. If you prefer the rod to sit quietly in the background a white or ivory rod will work better for you if you wall colour is neutral.

It is easier to open and close curtains on glide rods, than curtains on rods and rings.

CURTAIN TRACKS

Tracks are less decorative than rods, but can have some practical advantages. They can be cord drawn or motorised making them easier to open and close. They have overlap arms which gives more coverage from light. The curtain can either sit under the track or have a deep heading and cover the track (when the curtain is closed, making the room darker). 

The track can be either face fixed (to the wall or architrave), or top fixed (under the ceiling or pelmet).

Standard tracks  

They are simple and basic and can be either hand or cord drawn. The profile of the track varies with different suppliers and can be square or half round. The brackets are not as attractive as the brackets on rods but they are a good choice if they are not seen, for example under a pelmet. They are also very cost effective.
For very heavy curtains, heavy duty tracks are available.

Mini glide tracks

These tracks are very small and discreet. They can only be top fixed and hand drawn. It is ideal for lightweight sheer fabrics and a cost effective option.

Concealed tracks  

These are a great choice for those wanting a seamless look as the tracks get fitted so that they are flush with the ceiling. This is best done when you are building or renovating. We liaise with the builder to ensure the track is the correct length, mounted in the correct position and has suitable runners for your curtain heading style.

Motorised tracks   

These are the perfect choice if your curtain is very heavy as the motor takes all the weight of the curtain. Every client we fit motorised tracks for loves how easy it is to open and close their curtains with a touch of a button.   

There are different brands of motors available, and one of the best available is Somfy. They are remote controlled and also can be connected to your phone or computer and offer some helpful features such as timers and heat sensors.

Something to be mindful of is that the curtain will need to sit under the track and not be draping on the floor to be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

A FINAL NOTE

Consulting our designers (after they have seen a photo of the windows or the windows on site) is the best way of finding out what rod style is best for your practical and aesthetic needs. Making an appointment to visit to our studio is invaluable as we have full size curtains on all the different rods and tracks on display for you to see what they look like, how they operate, and all the component options and colours available. Click here to read our complete guide on shopping for custom made curtains.