The Drawbacks Of Using A Spring Loaded Curtain Rod Instead Of Fixed

Spring-loaded curtain rods help you hang up window treatments quickly and easily without the hassle of using tools, finding studs, drilling holes, or using drywall anchors. They're an ideal solution when you're a renter and can't hang traditional fixed curtain rods. Despite their convenience, tension rods also come up short when compared to mounted rods in many areas. Your window covering options are limited as are the rod options.

One of the biggest drawbacks of spring-loaded curtain rods is that they have less stability when compared to fixed models. A tension rod contains a spring inside, which pushes outward, creating pressure that holds the rod in place. The tension is strong enough to hold lightweight curtains, but heavier curtains, like blackout curtains, often aren't suitable for this type of curtain rod. You might notice that the rod starts to slide down the surface slowly, or it could fall suddenly if the weight is too much. Stability issues are usually worse if the tension rod has to extend fully to fit the gap. Metal tension rods generally offer the highest weight limit, but fixed rods hold more weight than any type of tension rod.

The surface where the tension rod rests also affects the stability of the rod. Smooth, flat, even surfaces are ideal. They provide a larger area for the tension rod to grip. With rough or uneven surfaces, the ends of the rod don't have good contact. You might notice your no-drill curtains keep falling in those situations.

If you browse the curtain rod options at the store, you'll likely notice a big difference in the number of options for tension rods compared to wall-mounted options. Tension rods tend to be simple bars with basic designs. Some spring-loaded curtain rods have subtle designs or textures on them, and they come in different finish colors. However, the options are more limited than fixed rods, which often include decorative finials and brackets to accent the rod.

Tension rod sizes are also more limited than fixed curtain rods. The longest tension rods you'll find are usually around 84 inches. Spring-loaded rods can't be much longer or they would be too unstable and would likely sag significantly in the middle. Fixed rods come in much longer lengths, often up to 170 inches long, because of the structure and support they have. That makes fixed rods a better option for longer windows.

Tension rods allow you to hang curtains without drilling, which is convenient, but it also limits how you can hang the curtains. The curtains have to hang inside the window frame, so you'll see the edges of the windows With fixed rods, you can install the brackets anywhere you want. It's common to mount them higher and wider than the window to make it appear larger. Hanging curtains higher on the wall can also make the ceilings feel higher. Tension rods don't allow for those versatile hanging options.