Even 20 years ago, in the bathrooms, curtains were used only for a prosaic purpose - water should not get on the floor and flood the neighbors. Now everything has changed radically. The shower bar performs several functions at once. And more often than not, it already serves as a decorative element that helps create coziness and equip a room to your liking.
Why do we need a rod in the bathroom?
Everyone determines for himself whether he needs a curtain in the bathroom. In order to make a final decision, one should understand what functional load this decor element carries, in addition to creating coziness.
The curtain provides the following:
- She zones the bathroom. Anyone who loves water treatments can retire. By closing the curtain, he will create for himself a cozy corner where no one will bother.
- When using a shower, spray does not fall onto other objects.
- Curtains are an important element of decor, so their choice should be taken very carefully.
- Some bathrooms have shower trays without doors and walls. In this case, the curtains act as a curtain.
- Bathroom curtain provides security. Drops that fall to the floor can slip and be injured.
The curtain for the bathroom is mounted on a bar. The choice of eaves for a bathroom is huge. Before choosing which shower bar is suitable for you (the photos posted in the article allow you to get acquainted with some models), it is worth understanding the variety of its types. Models differ in the materials of which they are made, in shape, method of installation and fastening.
Advantages and disadvantages of each type of eaves should be considered before acquisition.
Materials for the manufacture of rods
Modern industry has provided the buyer with a wide variety of models.
The shower bar in the bathroom can be:
- Plastic The material is light. Rings on such a cornice move almost silently. But plastic in conditions of high humidity is short-lived. Paints fade, the model can deform and even break. Now they began to produce cornices from metal-plastic. These products are more durable.
- Metal . Aluminum cornices are more expensive than plastic, they do not corrode, and are not affected by temperature changes. But they, like plastic ones, can bend. The stainless steel shower bar is the most durable. It does not bend, is not subject to corrosion and deformation. Such models can be painted in different colors. The strength of steel allows the manufacture of rods of various shapes. They will withstand any load. In addition, these models are completely not afraid of humidity and tolerate temperature extremes. However, they also have disadvantages. The disadvantage of this type is the noise when the rings move.
- Combined . They are made of metal, plastic coated on the outside. Therefore, they are durable and less noisy.
Types of Rods
Cornices are divided not only by materials, but also by shape:
- Standard models. These are direct cornices that are attached to the walls.
- Angular shower bar. Such a model can be arched, semicircular, or rectangular. These cornices are perfect for a corner bath.
- Special models. They are created for asymmetric design bathtubs. Such cornices are made to order.
- Ring (round) rod. Intends for a bathtub located in the center of a bathroom.
- Telescopic model. Easy to install, suitable for a bathroom of any size, as it can vary in length. It does not spoil the walls, easy to dismantle. But such a cornice is not attached very securely - with a heavy load it can fall.
Mount Types
Cornices for bathrooms are also distinguished by the type of fastening. This may be an installation using fasteners screwed to walls or ceilings. This method is more reliable and durable.
The second type is a telescopic mount (spacer). Of course, this shower bar is much easier to install. But this type of installation is undesirable if the house has children. After all, they can pull the curtain and bring down the cornice. Also, this type of mount is only suitable for straight-shaped models.
Professionals Recommendations
When choosing a bathroom rod, it is not out of place to take into account the opinion of competent specialists:
- A metal model is preferable, as it is more durable and durable, which means it is safe.
- For a designer bath, it is recommended to order a bar from the same specialist who created the author's bathtub layout. It will not be possible to choose a suitable curtain rod in the store.
- The bar mounts should be carefully checked.
- The most convenient and reliable shower rod for the bathroom is made of metal or metal plastic.
Mounting a telescopic model
To install a shower bar, you will need:
- stepladder or stool
- roulette,
- pencil.
The telescopic model is attached as follows:
- Measure the distance between the walls with a tape measure. It is undesirable to install the bar at the very top. For air flow it is necessary to go down 15-20 cm below the ceiling. The height is also adjusted by the length of the curtain. It should go at least 10 cm beyond the edge of the bathtub to prevent water from entering other interior parts and the floor, as well as to preserve heat.
- Make pencil marks for setting the model.
- Before using the new telescopic cornice, be sure to read the instructions.
- Extend the bar to the desired length + one centimeter.
- Set the curtain rod to the marks.
- Check the adhesion to the walls by lightly pressing on the central part of the rod.
- Mount the curtain on the rings only after the cornice has been fully installed.
Mounting the holder using fasteners
Holders for cornice are sold complete with a bar. You can purchase fasteners separately.
Installation of the shower bar is as follows:
- As in the case of the telescopic model, it is necessary to measure the desired height with a tape measure (backing at least 10 centimeters from the ceiling, paying attention to the length of the curtain, which should go beyond the edge of the bathtub) and mark the places for fastening with a pencil.
- Check the level of correctness of the marks. It is very important to remember safety measures. It is imperative to pay attention to the lack of wiring, plumbing and other communications in the areas of the alleged drilling.
- Check the location of the fasteners by attaching it to the mark on the wall. If the walls in the bathroom are tiled, then the place for drilling should be at the joint, so that when using a drill, do not split the ceramics.
- Drill holes according to the diameter of the screws of the fasteners (for tiles use drills with feather tips).
- Install into the drilled holes in the dowel. If the walls are sheathed with drywall, then use special butterfly dowels.
- Attach the fasteners to the wall with screws.
- Install the rod in the fasteners and string the rings with the curtain.
Choose rings
Now that the shower bar is selected, you can do the fittings. Rings, like cornices, are made of metal and plastic.
Metal hardware contributes to quick bar wear. When rubbing against a metal surface, an unpleasant noise is made.
Plastic rings are very fragile, although they move around the bar almost silently.
The ideal option is rings made of metal coated with plastic.