Elegant Wooden Curtain Rods

There are some very unique and fashionable curtain rod designs available today. Many of the major high street stores have a large collection of cheaper models that are typically imported from the far east. These are mass produced for the western market and while they may look the part, the quality is suspect at best. You get what you pay for as they say. The materials used are generally plastic and inferior wood that will start to show signs of wear quite quickly. Cheap wood will grain as the rings slide across from constant use, and can even splinter and chip, making opening and closing your curtains much harder. If the curtains snag on the wood it is easy to start pulling too hard on the fabric and cause damage.

Better quality rods are made by the smaller independent stores who hand craft their goods to order. The cost is a lot more but you will getting a quality item that will be far more durable and pleasing on the eye. It is also more satisfying to know you have a bespoke rod that someone has taken the time to create. Popular choices are made from ash, oak and maple wood. These are hard wearing and can be shaped into all sorts of intricate styles to suit the room they will be going into. Waxing and varnishing protects the wood and allows for deeper, richer colors to come out. Matching the rings is a good way to complete the overall package.

Wooden finials are the most elaborate part, and you can custom order the way they will look. Exciting creations can be made by talented craftsmen, and wood is easy to work with. The results can be spectacular, and are worth the expense. If you choose this route then try to get someone who is recommended, or at least ask to see some of their past creations. Many online specialists have catalogs and photos to browse through, which makes this process easier, and there usually customer testimonials that highlight their work. Just bear in mind that any online retailer is not going to put up any bad reviews of their products, it would not be very good for business would it?

Looking after any wooden rods is quite easy. If they become damaged you can always try to repair them yourself. Regular varnishing will help them last longer and keep them looking the part as well. It is also possible to change the finials, they are only screwed on and you can take them off in no time. Changing the finials is a quick way to create a new look, and on their own they don't cost so much. If the colors don't match exactly you can always paint or varnish until they do match.

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