Help with spring rods/tension rods

[weeniecat2442]

Hi everyone,
We recently moved into a new apartment. It's an old Victorian type house with lots of original woodwork etc. I love it!
There's a big beautiful bay window that has four tall thin windows in it. I bought tension rods to hang up my curtains and as I figured they would- they are constantly falling down, or slowly failing.
Any suggestions on keeping them up better or other options?
Here's a pic of the windows (and my goofy dog checking out the new place!)

 

[JanaDee]

Hi everyone,
We recently moved into a new apartment. It's an old Victorian type house with lots of original woodwork etc. I love it!
There's a big beautiful bay window that has four tall thin windows in it. I bought tension rods to hang up my curtains and as I figured they would- they are constantly falling down, or slowly failing.
Any suggestions on keeping them up better or other options?
Here's a pic of the windows (and my goofy dog checking out the new place!)

First off, those windows, floor and woodwork are to die for! Gorgeous! Have you tried tightening the tension on the rods? An obvious one, but sometimes overlooked. If that isn't the issue, maybe try putting something small between the woodwork and end of the rod to help it "stick" more.

 

[Happy Snowman]

Get some of the clear 3M removable hooks and hang the rods with those.

 

[weeniecat2442]

hahaha! as someone who has called IT into her office to fix something, only to have them tell me things work better when the ON button is pushed...that is a totally valid point to make. but yes- I have tightened the tension rods many many times. also the surface it is up against has a LOT of paint/wear and tear on it so its not just a smooth surface. not sure if that's a problem.
I was thinking maybe of putting some type of bracket for the rods to sit on?
Im not a very "handy" person when it comes to this stuff so I am struggling. but the curtains falling down constantly is driving me crazy!
LOVE the 3m hook idea!!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Maybe look at the managers apt and see what they have done, she may have some great ideas. I love your dog and how he is trying to figure it out. It is a beautiful place.

 

[Happy Snowman]

hahaha! as someone who has called IT into her office to fix something, only to have them tell me things work better when the ON button is pushed...that is a totally valid point to make. but yes- I have tightened the tension rods many many times. also the surface it is up against has a LOT of paint/wear and tear on it so its not just a smooth surface. not sure if that's a problem.
I was thinking maybe of putting some type of bracket for the rods to sit on?
Im not a very "handy" person when it comes to this stuff so I am struggling. but the curtains falling down constantly is driving me crazy!
LOVE the 3m hook idea!!

If you put the hooks up on they will sit sideways, but leave space at the top to put the tension rods so they sit on the lip of the 3M hook. It will keep them from sliding down and you won't really notice the hooks.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Maybe some good double-sided sticky tape on the wall on each side? and then, after getting the rods at a good strong tension, TAPE the two pieces of the rod in place, where the two rods slip together. If these are the twisty adjustment, they can kind of work their way loose. I have taped some so that they don't un-twist.

We had a nice tension shower rod in my son's bath.
It kept coming loose. I was trying to get him to make sure he threw his damp towels over the rod to dry, but when hanging them there, or pulling them back off, the darned rod would come down. Ugghhhh. We finally invested in a nice rod that the end pieces are actually screwed and secured on to the walls. But, I am not sure they would make small window rods like that. Penney's used to always be good a drapes and curtains. If there is a rod that is made like our new shower rod, They might be able to get those for you in that small size.

 

[Imzadi]

but yes- I have tightened the tension rods many many times. also the surface it is up against has a LOT of paint/wear and tear on it so its not just a smooth surface. not sure if that's a problem.

When you say you have tightened the tension rods how are you doing it? Are you putting the rods in their right place and then trying to tighten the tension? That won't work. That doesn't create enough tension that way.

Take a rod, place one side up exactly where you want it. Take the other end and measure it up against the wall where you want it to be. Then lower it a little and add about a quarter inch to a half inch extra to the length. Tighten the tension at that length. Make sure the little rubber cap is on it, as this next step could scrape the paint off the wall. Take that end and push, shove, shimmy that end UP to the spot where you want it to be. It should take a LOT of effort to get it into the right place.

If pushing the rod up to the proper spot doesn't work, raise it higher that the spot and try to pull it down into position instead. If it is just too long, shorten it slightly, but should still be quite an effort to slide it into place. You are compressing the rod for tension. THAT is how much tension you need the rod to have. When I do it like that, my rods never fall. And I've had some up there for YEARS. If it just slides easily into position, the tension is going to be too loose and it will eventually fall over time.

 

[minnie mum]

Is it a single rod that spans the whole width and the curtains close off the whole alcove inside the bay?? Tension rods are designed to exert pressure against 2 parallel surfaces. Yours are angled. The ends of the rod are going to slip because they don't have a totally flat ( parallel) surface to press against. Add the weight of full length drapes and its no surprise its failing.

They make curtain rods specifically for bay windows that are screwed into the walls and/or window frames. Or you could use 3 sets of rods hung on brackets. The added benefit is that you only cover the windows, making the alcove usable.

 

[weeniecat2442]

im going to use your instructions Imzadi! Maybe it is an operator error.
Im using four separate tension rods for each individual window. I had made a wood pallet couch for the sun porch at our last place and was able to use it in this alcove so we have a great sunny spot to lounge!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Very specific and correct instructions there Imzadi . Impressive ! The only rods we use and they are up for years too.

OP your dog is hysterical standing at those gorgeous windows. What posture ! Looks like a human kid from the distance

 

[weeniecat2442]

it MUST be me then! im printing these instructions out and trying them tonite.
you should see the dog walk on his hind legs around the kitchen! VERY impressive. we think he looks like Doby from Harry Potter. He's an odd, yet totally adorable looking creature

 

[Imzadi]

im going to use your instructions Imzadi! Maybe it is an operator error.
Im using four separate tension rods for each individual window. I had made a wood pallet couch for the sun porch at our last place and was able to use it in this alcove so we have a great sunny spot to lounge!

Glad I could help.

BTW, your windows are to die for. And your dog is a cutie. We want pics when you have the couch & curtains in place.

 

[LBIJim]

If pushing the rod up to the proper spot doesn't work, raise it higher that the spot and try to pull it down into position instead. If it is just too long, shorten it slightly, but should still be quite an effort to slide it into place. You are compressing the rod for tension. THAT is how much tension you need the rod to have. When I do it like that, my rods never fall. And I've had some up there for YEARS. If it just slides easily into position, the tension is going to be too loose and it will eventually fall over time.

Right.....and that's why the rods are misnamed. They're really compression rods.

 

[weeniecat2442]

I will try and get a pic this weekend! Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hope it works out...
I know your windows will look amazing!

Great detective work Imzadi!!!
You really do have to have the rods pre-set WIDER than the window... Compress them as you put them into place.
That hadn't hit me a a possible cause!

 

[weeniecat2442]

I am proud to report back to you all that I used Imzadi's instructions and my rods have been staying in put all weekend! Hopefully things stay this way.
And as promised...here are the windows with curtains, the wood pallet couch and of course- Burton.

 

[Imzadi]

I am proud to report back to you all that I used Imzadi's instructions and my rods have been staying in put all weekend! Hopefully things stay this way.
And as promised...here are the windows with curtains, the wood pallet couch and of course- Burton.

Ooo! Looks great! That spot looks so wonderfully cozy & inviting. I can just see plopping down with a good book and a cup of tea there. Obviously your dog likes the spot.

 

[weeniecat2442]

thank you! Yes I wanted a little "reading nook" and some place to just curl up with a blanket and most likely a dog or a cat. It gets TONS of sun all day so all of the pets enjoy a good lounge there
I wish I was curled up there now instead of at work hehehe

 

[JanaDee]

Beautiful!