How To Trim Wrought Iron Curtain Rods To Ensure A Perfect Fit For Your Windows

Most homeowners will agree that nothing beats the classic, stylish look of wrought iron curtain rods. However, as you go to decorate your windows, you may discover that your wrought iron pole is way longer than you'd like. If you go ahead and install it as-is, you'll have a naked stretch that looks noticeably odd. The skewed proportions would ruin the look of your window treatment. So, what's the solution other than to hang your curtains without a rod? You'll have to cut the iron pole to perfectly fit your space, and the trick when trimming wrought iron curtain rods is to use a plumbing pipe cutter.

There are many benefits to wrought iron curtain rods besides their looks. These fixtures are strong and durable, so there's no need to worry about their longevity. They also have a discreet, soft finish that is scintillatingly cool. Plus, the sound of iron on iron is less grating, which is great if you use metal curtain rings. Their unique properties, however, contribute to the wrought iron being difficult to trim. One mistake you need to avoid when hanging curtains with iron rods is using a traditional hacksaw to cut the pole because you most likely won't achieve a straight cut on the end. The blades tend to skip down the finish and, you can easily damage the iron's coating. Don't ruin your fancy curtain rods; instead, get the perfect trim with pipe cutters.

Plumbing pipe cutters — also called tube cutters — will give you a near-perfect finish because it is a more controlled trimming approach. Remember, you'll still be attaching finials to the end of the iron rods; hence, a straight, finely-cut finish will make the joining process easy and smooth. A pipe cutter for residential use usually ranges from $20 to $30, like the highly-ranked Libraton Pipe Cutter that sells for just under $28 and comes with a deburring tool for smoothening the cut end. When buying your cutters, make sure it is designed for metal and not only made for PVC piping.

The pipe cutters are easy to use, and they work similarly to a C-clamp. Simply place the iron curtain rod inside the cutter's opening and tighten the blade firmly around the pole. Then, continuously turn the cutters around the rod. It might take a few minutes, but eventually the blade will cut through the metal pole, and you can slide your finial on. That's it!

One final thing: now that we know the tool that perfectly trims a wrought iron rod, what size pole should you aim for? Knowing the ideal length is an important tip to help you choose the perfect curtain rod to style your window. As a rule of thumb, the pole should roughly protrude an extra 4 to 6 inches on either side, meaning it'll be 8 to 12 inches longer than your window's width. It's the ideal proportions to enhance the feature.