Determining the right length for your curtain rod is much easier said than done. It is not an easy task at all. While curtains are the real star of the show, there is no way you can deny the importance of curtain rods’ role in pulling off the show.
In this article, we will discuss the various aspects associated with measuring and fixing the length of curtain rods.
We will also help you understand what the standard curtain rod lengths are and which rod should be used for certain purposes. So read ahead to learn more about curtain rods.
What are standard curtain rod sizes?
The standard curtain rod sizes vary between 28-48 inches, 48-84 inches, 66-120 inches, or 120-170 inches. These are the rod sizes that are usually available in the stores. These ready-made rod sizes will meet the needs of most windows, both for commercial and residential purposes.
Table of Contents
Curtain rods play a very important role in the installation and decoration of windows. It is central to your interior decoration. If you’re not careful, it is very easy to get a curtain rod of the wrong size and it will look particularly odd when you do so.
We have designed this article in a manner so that you get a clear insight into the available curtain sizes. You will also be able to identify which kind of curtain rod you will need for any particular window.
While there is a range of options in the market that will cater to the needs of your window, it is always useful to learn which are the standard curtain rod sizes.
The standard curtain rod sizes range between 28-48 inches, 48-84 inches, 66-120 inches, and 120-170 inches.
You can also get a curtain rod that is adjustable in size if you’re not sure about the size of your window. Adjustable curtain rods will also help you use the rod for multiple purposes, in different windows.
Now let’s take a look at the standard curtain rods in various kinds of windows:
Standard shower curtain rod:
shower curtain rods are available in a range of sizes. But the standard size for a shower curtain rod is between 75 to 77 inches.
Standard window curtain rod:
there are several sizes for window curtain rods. But the standard window curtain rod size is between 66 to 120 inches in height. These rods measure about 1 and a ⅜ inches in diameter.
What lengths do curtain rods come in?
Curtain rods come in a range of sizes, varying in length and diameter. In the following section we will look at different sizes of curtain rods and their uses.
28-48 inches curtain rods:
The curtain rods that measure 28 to 48 inches in length are placed on the smaller side of the range. These rods are used in the small windows of your home, including the ones in the bathroom and kitchen.
It is most commonly used in double-hung windows. These are really handy and you can easily set them up. They are also very lightweight and durable.
48 to 85 inches:
These curtain rods are used as the standard curtain rods in homes. They are mainly used in residential buildings. These rods are usually used in windows that come in pairs.
You will notice that most indoor-outdoor industrial wall curtain rods come in this size. If you add an extra inch to the double-hung windows, the 28-48 inches curtain rod will prove to be too small. In such a case, you will need these rods.
66-120 inches:
The 66-120 inches rods are considered to be extra long rods, used in the larger windows. You will need these rods to cover banks of windows, patio doors, or french doors. These rods come with heavier diameters as well.
So if you’re planning on hanging heavy curtains on your patio door, french door, or a large window, then you should opt for a 66-120 inches rod.
120-170 inches:
These are generally considered the longest rod in the market. If you want a curtain rod that is any longer than this, then you will have to customize it. These rods cover a large space.
So if you want to cover a wall with fabric, or have a large door that you’re planning to put a curtain on, then this is the right curtain rod for you.
What size curtain rod for 72 inch windows? What should be curtain rod thickness?
A 48-84 curtain rod will adequately cover a 72 inch window and the tickness should be 1 inch minimum. This is a common size for windows at home.
For a window that measures 72 inches in width, that is a 72 inch window, you will need a curtain rod that measures 48-84 inches in length.
However, if you’re planning on hanging a thick set of curtains on a 72 window, then you will need curtain rods of larger diameter as they are heavier. In such a case, you might be more comfortable using a curtain rod of 144-180 inches.
Note that you should aim for the size of all the curtains together, not just one particular curtain.
How can I make my curtain rods longer?
Here’s how you can make the curtain rods longer if you need to:
Slip and slide:
This is an old technique in the book. You can always slip and slide in order to make the curtain rods longer.
Note that most curtain rods that are available in the market are basically hollow metal pieces. You can simply slip another curtain rod, of a smaller diameter, inside the existing curtain rod and slide it in.
Make sure that the one that you’re planning to slide is smaller in diameter than the one that you want to extend, otherwise it will not work. If you can pull off this, your curtain rod will be longer in a minute.
Use inner piece connector:
Another common technique to make curtain rods longer is to use the inner piece connector. There are many rods in the market that come with a curtain rod connector.
These connectors are designed to fit inside a new rod, helping you to extend the existing rod. You can join two or more rods using this process and produce one long curtain rod at the end.
Turn the screw:
If you’re working with a wooden dowel curtain rod, you are likely to find a connector screw that has a thread on each side. These screws help connect two rods together.
You can simply turn the screw, unscrew it, and add a new rod in between. This will help you connect two rods and produce one long curtain rod in the output.
How to measure for curtain rods?
In order to precisely measure the curtain rods, follow these steps:
Measure the window:
In order to measure the curtain rod precisely, you will need to measure the window first. The size of the curtain rod that you should purchase mainly depends on the size of the surface you’re planning to cover.
So you will need to measure how far you want the curtain rod to reach along the window. You can either measure your window from frame to frame or from casing to casing.
Determine the length of the curtain rod:
Now you can fix the length of the curtain rod. Simply add 20% length with the recorded measurement of the window. Or you can add 6 inches to each side of the window casing or frame.
How long can a curtain rod be without support?
A curtain rod can be as long as 96 inches without any support. But if you want to install a curtain rod that is longer than 96 inches, you will definitely need a support system in place.
It will be mandatory to install a central support for a curtain rod that is longer than 96 inches. Any rod under this measurement will be just fine holding the curtains.
But any longer than that and the curtain rod will bend after a while if you fail to provide it with the appropriate support.
However, if you’re working with a curtain rod that is heavy and comes in a larger diameter, say 2 to 3 inches diameter, then the curtain rod can go as long as 12 feet without support.
However, this is a very special case and you will need to make sure that end brackets are strong enough to hold the rod and carry the weight of the curtain.
Final Thoughts
Depending on the size of your window and the purpose of installation, the standard curtain rod length ranges between 28-48 inches, 48-84 inches, 66-120 inches, or 120-170 inches. Aside from these, you will also find many adjustable curtain rods that can cater to windows of various sizes.