Which Type of Curtain Rod is Best: Wood or Metal?
Give your windows top billing with curtain hardware that hits the high notes
The right decorative rod can turn up the “wow” volume of your curtains and help achieve the look and feel you want in any room. Wood and metal curtain rods are typical choices, but which one do you go with?
A wood rod can bring in a natural element or give a stately feel. A metal rod can break up a room that already has a lot of wood and bring in a modern element. Here are more points to consider.
A wood rod can bring in a natural element or give a stately feel. A metal rod can break up a room that already has a lot of wood and bring in a modern element. Here are more points to consider.
Wood poles can be purchased pre-finished in a large variety of stains and paints, or can be purchased unfinished. They come in many styles, including fluted – a very popular choice, because the grooves give a two-tone look.
Create a luxurious and rich look using chunky wood rods with a crackle finish, and hang a solid silk curtain from them on rings. This style works for both living and dining rooms.
Check out this guide to choosing curtains
Check out this guide to choosing curtains
The Antique Drapery Rod Fluted Wood Rod
I feel like doing the twist with this great wood rod in a twist shape with a robust Italian walnut finish. A beautiful warm-tone curtain would look fabulous with it.
Metal
Metal curtain rods offer great options for contemporary and unique styles and finishes. Finials come in many funky shapes (including square) and sometimes even have glass and mirror components.
Metal curtain rods offer great options for contemporary and unique styles and finishes. Finials come in many funky shapes (including square) and sometimes even have glass and mirror components.
Here is an example of a beautiful glass finial on a metal rod.
Metal curtain rods offer a nice contrast in a room with a lot of wood furniture.
Wondering which wood is best for your furniture?
Wondering which wood is best for your furniture?
Add glitz to a room with a polished nickel or chrome rod.
If you’re using a metal rod for wide windows, go for a 1-inch or larger diameter and make sure it has numerous brackets to support it, because metal rods are hollow inside and can bow in the middle.
Note: Unlike wood rods, metal rods are sold in adjustable lengths.
Here’s how to dress up wide windows
Note: Unlike wood rods, metal rods are sold in adjustable lengths.
Here’s how to dress up wide windows
Deco Porcelain Ball Finial 2”
This brass curtain rod has a high-end look with porcelain finials. It would look great in a traditional, Art Deco or transitional space. Keep the curtains simple and light.
Read more:
What to Choose: Curtains or Blinds?
Tell us:
Which curtain rod have you chosen at home and why? Tell us in the Comments below.
Read more:
What to Choose: Curtains or Blinds?
Tell us:
Which curtain rod have you chosen at home and why? Tell us in the Comments below.
Consider wood curtain rods for wide and tall windows. Wooden rods support heavy curtains better than metal because they are not hollow. Poles come in 3-inch, 2¼-inch, 2-inch, and 1⅜-inch diameters. The bigger the window, the larger the diameter you will want.
Note: Wood curtain poles have to be purchased in the exact size you need or cut to size, unlike some metal ones.