String curtain rod: ceiling, wall, installation

Curtain string is a very old invention that has temporarily lost popularity. The invention of new materials has returned relevance to such cornices. They are versatile, neutral in style and easy to install. The simpler, the more relevant is the motto of many modern designers. At the same time, a string curtain rod is an inexpensive but trendy way to decorate a window space.

The correct design of a window opening consists of selecting matching curtains and cornices.

Cornice string description

A string cornice is a system with movable curtains suspended on a string. The cable is stretched between the support fasteners. The main application is curtaining windows and niches. To secure curtains, pendants in the form of hooks, rings and clips are used.

How and with what to attach curtains

To decorate a window, you need a cornice. The choice of the appropriate option depends not only on the tastes of the owners and how the room is decorated. It is influenced by the characteristics of the fabric (density, texture, color), as well as the length and model of drapery. In practice, various fastenings of curtains to the cornice are used; types of fasteners form the following categories:

• Profile . A lightweight aluminum product that, if necessary, can be easily given a complex shape (for example, for a bay window). A budget option for modern interiors, the fabric is held in place by plastic runners with hooks.

Bay window decor Source amazonaws.com

• Barbell _ A product with a round cross-section is made from different materials (wood, metal, plastic), which is why it fits into different styles. Exclusive models with forged tips are made to order. Curtains are attached to the rod using rings, eyelets, hooks; Fabric loops and clips are common.

Modern fastening design Source pinimg.com

• Baguette . Baguette cornices resemble profile ceiling structures, but the fasteners are hidden behind a strip that determines the style of the product. Baguettes are made of wood, metal, plastic.

In a rustic style Source akfengroup.ru

• String . The most reliable options are made of steel; there are strings made of durable fishing line. String cornices are tensioned on brackets and have a strict, minimalistic appearance. They are used in both modern and classic interiors; clips, hooks or holders are chosen as accessories.

Grommets on kitchen curtains Source 10por15.com

• Spacer (telescopic) cornice . Does not require installation work, but has limitations in use since it can withstand light weight. Models made of wood, plastic and metal are available on the market. Hooks, rings or fabric loops are used to secure the fabric.

Sometimes the designer refuses curtain rods, and then the curtains are fixed using adhesive tape, hooks or rope. Options for mounting locations may also vary: ceiling, wall, window opening.

Window decor on curtain tape Source hzcdn.com

Photo examples of cornice

A great way to decorate rectangular windows in rooms with low ceilings. The wall and cornice look like a single whole. The interior is not overloaded with unnecessary details.

The lightness and sophistication of the classical style is emphasized by draping the windows with curtains on strings. Curtains, like a waterfall, fall from the ceiling, making the transition to the wall invisible.

Decorated windows with string curtains do not distract from work and emphasize the working atmosphere in the office.

How to choose?

When choosing a suitable design, the following recommendations are taken into account:

• String cornice is designed for curtains made of light fabrics. If heavy, dense canvases hang on it, sagging of the string is inevitable. The situation can be corrected by installing an additional bracket in the middle. But then the curtains on the left and right can only be moved to the center.
• The structure is not installed in openings longer than 5 meters. The optimal length is 3-4 meters.
• If you need to divide your living space into zones, you can purchase ceiling string cornices.
• It is better to pay more, but buy a string coated with a protective compound.
• The design is suitable for rooms with stable temperatures and low humidity levels.
• You can choose options for the bathroom, toilet, small utility rooms.

These points must be taken into account when choosing a suitable design. String cornices are great because they allow for many design options.

A string curtain rod is an inexpensive but trendy way to decorate a window space.

Advantages and disadvantages

The high popularity is explained by a number of significant factors:

• Versatility. Can be used in any room, mounted to the wall and ceiling.
• Affordable prices.
• Easy installation and assembly.
• Visualization of curtains appearing to be floating in the air. The structure itself remains invisible.
• Compactness.
• Strings of different colors and with any coating.
• Easy product care.
• Durability.

There is only one drawback. The wire cannot withstand high-density curtains. Silk, organza, chiffon, tulle and voile work better than other known materials.

Operating rules

Installation of the structure does not take much time, and the curtains and drapes, carefully chosen to match the tone of the furniture and wallpaper, fit perfectly into the interior of the room. In order for the string cornice to continue to serve for many years, you need to do the following:

• review components and replace those affected by corrosion;
• do not try to install the string on suspended ceilings;
• avoid heavy curtains;
• Wipe the headset regularly with a soft, dry cloth;
• if dirt or other substances get in contact, wash the string with soapy water and wipe dry;
• try not to use brackets and holders with complex shapes, which are difficult to clean from dust from all sides.

The only limitation is that such curtain rods can only withstand light fabrics.
They are suitable for silk, tulle, taffeta, organza, muslin or light cotton, linen, lightweight jacquard. It is important that the surface of the string does not remain wet. Despite the protective layer, corrosion may appear on the metal. The situation becomes more complicated if the string is masked with a baguette strip, which is difficult to remove. Therefore, this point must be taken into account.

The fastening of the curtains is very compact, invisible and allows you to freely move the fabric along the window.

Design characteristics

The main elements of a string cornice for curtains:

• tension cable: steel, polymer and high-strength threads;
• the set is completed with brackets or decorative tips;
• the string is connected to the curtain with hooks, clothespins, and rings. The cable with pendants is matched to the color of the curtains.

The wire is kept taut by a special system. For strength and reliability, support fasteners are attached to the wall at two or more points.

Design Features

Ceiling string cornices can be used in conditions where other types of products are not applicable. Their design includes the following components:

1. Cable for fixing curtains. It is a tension thread made of steel, which is usually painted by manufacturers in three shades - silver, gold or bronze.
2. A set of brackets for fixing strings in the form of brackets or with decoratively decorated tips.
3. A set of clamps or special clothespins with which the curtains are connected to the string. Usually made in color matching the design of the cable itself.

Noteworthy is the versatility of selecting installation locations for the structure. The string cornice can be installed:

• to the plane of the wall immediately next to the window;
• on the ceiling surface near the opening, which visually expands the space;
• to opposite walls, as a result of which part of the room is, as it were, separated by a screen;
• on the wall, but at a certain angle.

The length of the cornices is very varied. They can reach 5 m or more. As a result, it becomes possible to install a string on the brackets in several rows and use curtains or tulle of different colors.

This solution gives the interior an even more original look. But the extra length of the string can be cut off with pliers or rolled up, and then carefully hung from the edge of the structure.

Types of string cornices

Depending on the installation methods, the structures can be ceiling or wall.

Mounting locations:

• Ceiling cornices are installed on the ceiling, which will visually look higher.
• Wall cornices are mounted directly above the window opening, on the walls at an angle, or on two opposite walls.

Ceiling models

The installation is quite simple and includes several steps. The video shows the installation of a regular cornice; this installation is no different from a string one.

Installation instructions:

• Mark the support points of the brackets.
• Holes are drilled at the points.
• The dowels are inserted and the brackets are screwed in.
• Pass the cables through the holes in the brackets and tighten them with a special screw.
• Secure the cables and cover the assembly with caps or covers from the kit.
• Hang curtains on pendants.

The interval between the wall and the marking is 10 cm - 15 cm. The curtain does not come into contact with the window sill, radiator or protective screen. A gap of at least 5 cm from the string to the ceiling will allow you to use decorative rings or use a grommet.

Wall models

The technique for attaching string curtain rods to the wall is similar to attaching them to the ceiling. The only difference is the angle between the part adjacent to the wall plate and the element for securing the cable.

How to technically hang a string cornice on a wall?

• A level is marked on the wall with reference points at equal distances from the edges of the window opening.
• Holes are drilled and dowels are installed.
• Brackets are attached.
• The cables are threaded through the rings for hanging curtains.
• Threading cables through holes in brackets.
• The cables are tensioned and secured.

Important! The length of each cable is 5 m. If the distance between the cornices is more than 3 m in the center, it is necessary to install an additional bracket.

Closed and open

The closed form of the cornice implies complete concealment of protruding elements. Fits perfectly on a large balcony. The built-in design can withstand fabrics made of dense textiles.

The open form allows for quick installation. A hook is screwed into the wall, followed by tension and fastening of the string. Only lightweight fabrics are used.

Recommendations for installing string curtain rods, a quick guide for beginners

Only light fabrics are suitable for string curtains. Most are translucent or completely transparent. However, this cannot be an obstacle to using such a device in the bedroom. On the one hand, quite a lot of dense but thin fabrics are produced, which in dark colors create sufficient darkness. On the other hand, you can hang multi-layer curtains. It is even possible to use a lambrequin.

This cornice is not installed on plasterboard or suspended ceilings.

Chiffon, veil, and tulle look great on a string. This is an ideal case to use embroidered options, lace fabrics, and photo printing. If you take jacquard, then you won’t need any additional effort to decorate the room, since it is a very textured material. More dense and classic canvases can be hung on multi-row strings. Teak, blackout, chenille, and tapestries are not suitable. All these materials are very dense and heavy.

You should not hang string curtain rods outdoors.

In order to attach the fabric to the cornice, special hooks, clips or clips with a ring are used. This fitting is removable; it allows you to hang and remove the linen for washing. If the room has high humidity, then steel and metal wires require additional anti-corrosion coating.

In damp areas they will need frequent and careful maintenance.

Additional elements for fastening the string:

• brackets;
• dowels;
• holders;
• calipers.

The differences between the models of string cornices are expressed by the variety of colors, shapes and the presence of decorative elements.

It is necessary to fasten the cornice with precise calculation of distances, so a deviation of even 1 cm will be clearly visible from a distance. To mark, use a ruler, square, plumb line. Do not forget about the dowels for the self-tapping screws, otherwise the brackets will quickly become loose. Consider the distance to the ceiling and walls so that the curtains can move freely on the tensioned wire.

Curtain strings are made in various colors: silver, gold, bronze.

Features of operation

The service life depends on compliance with a number of recommendations:

• Use of lightweight fabrics.
• The use of classic curtains requires the tension of two rows of strings. The lambrequin will support three rows of cables.
• Mounting on any surface except suspended ceilings.

Rules for purchasing string curtain rods:

• become familiar with the principles and techniques;
• Assess your strength and level of preparation for installation work;
• learn how to tension the curtain rope yourself.
• Due to unstable temperatures and high humidity, metal parts will be eaten away by rust. Therefore, metal parts must have an anti-corrosion coating.

Examples and photos of using string cornices in the interior

From an artistic point of view, a string curtain rod provides an ideal basis for emphasizing material and design. The fabric can flow in large folds, be gathered into small tucks, or lie flat on the floor in soft waves. If there is a large photo print on the curtains, it will be perfectly visible.

A universal technique for masking ceiling-type string cornices is the use of strips.

The row arrangement of holes in the bracket makes it possible to stretch the fishing line in 2-3 rows and create an elegant multi-layer composition. This creates a combination of fabrics with high transparency, which allows you to sufficiently protect the room from external light.

The string cornice (as a single product) should be harmoniously combined with the curtains.

The ease of mounting allows you to use the string anywhere in the room. An excellent solution for roof windows, which are not only located at an angle, but also have non-standard sizes and shapes. To hide the string, you can use an additional cornice, which has a purely decorative function.

The need to clean string cornices is due to extending the service life and maintaining the attractive appearance of the structure.

String cornices are excellent for zoning rooms. The string can be pulled anywhere, lengthwise, across or diagonally - it all depends on the imagination of the designer. The string can be tensioned in a straight line, at an angle, using another bracket.

The less often you clean the surface of the cornice, the more difficult it is to get rid of dirt on it later.

When choosing a string, we take into account the nuances

The selection of strings has its own characteristics:

• a thin cable will not support a heavy curtain, which will certainly sag;
• with several layers of curtains, the number of cables is increased.

Combination with textiles

Lightness and weightlessness are the main requirements for curtains.

Choose curtains made of chiffon, silk, lightweight jacquard, tulle and organza.

For curtains made of tapestry and velvet, installation of a multi-row structure is required. The thin cable is practically invisible under the translucent curtain floating in the air.

Choice

Typically, string curtain rods are not used for hanging thick drapes and curtains together, since they will pull the string with their own weight, which will spoil the appearance of the window space. When choosing a cornice, you should take this fact into account, especially if the curtains have already been purchased. Each cornice has its own production load.

It is preferable to use a wire cornice for curtains made of lightweight fabrics: tulle, organza, silk, satin, light jacquard, linen, cotton. If it is impossible to replace already purchased heavy curtains, you need to choose a curtain rod with a thicker cable (string).

DIY wire cornice

You can assemble and install the structure yourself.

• First, think carefully about the location and method of attachment.
• Take measurements with markings. Avoid distortions. Deviations will make it difficult to move and move the curtains, the strings will sag and the fasteners will wear out ahead of time.
• Drill holes, drive in dowels. Securely secure the brackets with threaded connections.
• Tighten the cable with the bolt.
• Adjust the tension with the curtains hung.

Advice. Leave the length of the cable with an allowance. This will allow you to pull the curtains if necessary.

Reviews

Buyers of string cornices are unanimous in their reviews of such products. This is an excellent model for small rooms or rooms with low ceilings. Yes, such products are not intended for heavy curtains, they cannot be placed on a suspended ceiling, but these are minor disadvantages. Numerous positive responses confirm that string curtain rods are becoming popular again.

Modern string curtain rod, chrome plated

In many reviews, consumers write about the low cost and easy installation of the product. Some note the possibility of attaching two types of light tulle through the use of several strings. Others appreciate the large selection of additional decorative elements and length adjustment in string cornices. An undoubted advantage for many buyers is the possibility of ceiling installation of the cornice.

The classic look of such curtain rods makes you pay attention to the curtains that are attached to them. In combination with straight curtains, they attract attention precisely to themselves - because of their noble metallic color . String cornices are distinguished from other models by the variety of decorative finishes and simplicity.

How to clean

Dust is wiped with a damp cloth, followed by wiping the elements dry. To prevent damage, use non-rough natural fabrics or soft brushes. For cleaning, you will need to constantly change water, non-aggressive liquid products, powders and rubber gloves.

It is advisable to completely dismantle the structure. This will ensure complete cleaning. Rust is removed with hard brushes, sandpaper and specialized household chemicals.