Guest Blogger: Choosing & Installing the Right Shower Rod

Guest Blogger #940, Entry #2343, April 26, 2013

Is your bathroom shower rod giving you problems to install? Some people rarely take their time to learn simple procedures at home such as installing a shower rod. At the moment, you might not see the importance of learning such procedures mainly because your current shower rod seems to be working properly. However, there are times when you will be planning to move to a new house only to realize that its bathrooms lack shower rods or you may wish to install a new one to replace the existing one due to various reasons.

This is why it is always important to learn these procedures beforehand to save you the agony of hiring a professional to carry out a specific task you would’ve done yourself. Just like any other do-it-yourself procedure, you should be well-equipped with the necessary tools and for this case, you need the following;

·  A tape measure

·  The new shower rod

·  A screw driver and a drill- This is usually useful if you are mounting a non-tension rod

Bathroom shower rod tips for installation

Image via: RJ Dailey Construction Co.

Steps To Follow

1.  Recording the measurements

It is not advisable to visit the local store to get a new shower rod without recording the measurements of the required space. This can be achieved by using a tape measure to calculate the distance between the two ends of the rod. Alternatively, if you want to replace an old rod, you can go with it to the store for the sake of taking accurate measurements.

2.  Buying the shower rod

The appearance of your bathroom says a lot about you and that is why you have to be keen when selecting the right shower rod. They come in different sizes, colors and designs. You can buy shower rods online but in most cases, they’re sold in two main versions namely;

a)  The tension rods –

They are normally easy to install and there’s no need for permanent mounting

b)  Non-tension rods –

They require a mount or bracket to be installed on the walls of the shower. Unlike the tension rods, this option requires permanent installation.

It is advisable to select shower rods that match with the décor of the entire bathroom to avoid creating an odd look. Afterwards, wash the shower wall with soap and clean water and leave it to dry, completely. Uninstall the old shower rod and remove the new one from its casing. At this point, you have two options depending on the type of shower rod that you are using.

3.  Installing a tension rod

Expand the tension rod by driving it clockwise until it becomes slightly longer than the actual dimension of the shower opening. Insert one end of the rod into the shower opening while pushing the other end towards the opposite side. Do not hesitate to add an extra force if the rod doesn’t respond to the initial force. Make sure the rod fits properly along the shower wall to create a stable support base for the curtains and extra pressure when drawing the curtains. Then, sit back and admire your newly-installed shower rod!

Tips for installing a shower rod

Image via: Molly DeCoudreaux

4.  Installing non-tension rods

Here, you have to install the mounting brackets and it is advisable to choose the adhesive versions because they are firm and easier to install. When installing the brackets, make sure they’re settled on the same level and height for proper support of the curtains. Alternatively, you may use a pencil or marker to mark each end of the mounting points to facilitate proper balancing. After ensuring that the brackets are firmly fixed and correspond to each other at the same height, you can now introduce the new curtain rod to finalize the whole process.

For more bathroom remodeling tips on Stagetecture, click here.