Curtain rod — is not just a supporting system used for hanging curtains and drapes. It is an important element of the room design, capable of making noticeable adjustments to the overall style. Among all the varieties of cornices, ceiling structures stand out. They have the widest range of possibilities, can even be used in conjunction with stretch ceilings.
In addition, ceiling cornices have the ability divide a room into two parts (or more). Suspended systems of this type can be used in rooms decorated in any style. They fit harmoniously into the interior, decorating it (or, at least, not violating the designer's idea).
Content
What is a ceiling cornice
The name itself suggests that a ceiling cornice is a suspension system with a mount to a ceiling slab (or a horizontal plane replacing it). The only difference in the design is the mount to the horizontal plane. Otherwise, ceiling cornices are the same suspension systems with a horizontal bearing line and several attachment points.
The peculiarity of such a cornice is height of hanging curtains and drapes. In practice, they start from the ceiling itself, which increases their area and overall presence in the room. When closed, they completely cut off one of the walls, creating the ability to change the interior depending on the time of day and the environment.
The possibilities of ceiling cornices are much wider than those of more traditional wall ones. The main feature is installation - the suspension system can be placed at any distance from the window and in general anywhere in the room, and not just above the window opening.
This significantly expands the capabilities of the system - it not only allows sunlight to enter the room (or blocks it), but can also divide the room into two or more sections. This option is sometimes used in bedrooms, where it is necessary to cut off daylight only in the sleeping area, without shading the entire room.
Types of ceiling cornices
There are a lot of ceiling cornices on sale, which can be roughly grouped according to different features. First of all, they are divided according to the material they are made from.
These could be:
- wooden;
- metal;
- plastic;
- combined.
Depending on the material, all cornices are divided by type of construction.:
- rod (the supporting element is a metal pipe or a wooden plank of round cross-section);
- rail (the cornice is equipped with a groove in which hooks or other hanging elements move);
- strings (curtains are hung on a taut wire);
- baguette (as a rule, these are combined structures).
In addition, there is another option for dividing by type of construction:
- single row;
- double row;
- three-row.
The most popular are two- and three-row designs that allow you to hang curtain And curtain (double row) or curtain, drape and lambrequin (three-row). Sometimes blinds are hung instead of a lambrequin.
Rod
This is the oldest, traditional type of curtain rod. The supporting element is usually made of steel tube, chromed or coated with a wood-like finish. Wooden or plastic tubes are less common today - the former sag over time, and the latter have limited capabilities and cannot support heavy curtains. Brackets can be made of wood, plastic or metal.
The main feature of rod curtain rods is the presence of 2 or 3 attachment points. Curtains move between them, which is not always convenient. Unlike wall curtains, ceiling rod curtain rods have rather short brackets. This allows you to reduce the gap between the suspension system and the ceiling slab.
Rail
Rail cornices are usually made of plastic, and a little less often of aluminum. They are a ready-made profile, into the grooves of which plastic hanging elements (hooks) are inserted. Such structures can be straight or have smooth 90° turns, which allows you to install curtains only on windows, without blocking the entire wall with them.
The weak point of rail cornices is plastic hooks. Due to the processes occurring in the polymer, the hanging elements gradually lose their elasticity, become brittle and break. They have to be changed quite often (compared to rings or metal hooks). In addition, such hangers have an unpleasant habit of getting stuck when moving the curtain. This is not a critical drawback, but it annoys many users.
Baguette cornices
Baguette cornices consist of two elements. First — a supporting system on which curtains are hung. Second — a decorative baguette covering the suspension. Baguettes made of wood, plastic and light metals (usually duralumin) are available for sale. The suspension system itself can have any design with any number of rows. The visible part is represented by a baguette, which can be changed if necessary. This is sometimes necessary if the room has been renovated and the style has undergone significant changes.
It is noteworthy that the name of this type of cornices comes not from the functional, but from the decorative element. If the baguettes are removed, the curtains can be used without any damage to the functionality - only the appearance will suffer.
Strings
String cornices are suspension systems presented with two supports with wire strings stretched between them. Metal hooks are strung on them and curtains are hung. In order for the system to work well, the tension of the strings must be quite high. Therefore, the supports (usually a pair of corners) must be attached to the ceiling as tightly as possible.
String cornices are usually used for concealed installation. They are located close to the ceiling slab, which allows you not to make a too high "step" on the stretch ceiling (the suspension system is hidden behind it). String cornices have the greatest durability, and if necessary, they can be decorated with a baguette. This will make it possible to turn a purely functional system into a beautiful and stylish element of the room's design.
Pros and cons
Advantages of ceiling cornices:
- attractive appearance;
- a lot of varieties, the ability to harmoniously fit the cornice into any style of room design;
- hidden installation of ceiling cornices allows you to achieve an original and powerful design for rooms with suspended ceilings;
- you can use some types of wall systems (string, rod);
- possibility of installation in rooms with walls covered with plasterboard;
- Curtains cover the entire outer wall in height and width (usually).
Disadvantages of ceiling cornices:
- installation is somewhat more complicated and inconvenient than with wall cornices;
- the use of more reliable fasteners is required;
- The dimensions of the curtains are much larger than those of wall-mounted structures, which makes the curtains much more expensive.
How to choose
The choice of a suitable cornice is determined by a combination of several factors.:
- room decoration style;
- presence or absence of a suspended ceiling;
- number of rows (usually in office premises or in the kitchen, single-row cornices are sufficient, but in the bedroom or living room, two- or three-row structures are needed);
- personal preferences of the owners of the premises;
- the purpose of the cornice (to block sunlight from the window or to divide the room into parts).
By analyzing these criteria, you can determine the most suitable options with sufficient clarity. You should also take into account the material of the ceiling slab, the height and other features of the room that affect the choice of cornice.
The choice of material is a matter of taste and personal preference.. Of the indisputable factors, only strength and durability can be singled out. Metal curtain rods are in the lead in these indicators - they are usually changed only due to the loss of decorative qualities. Wooden suspended systems are traditional, they look solid and very cozy. However, their service life is noticeably lower than that of metal products (although their appearance can be restored).
The least durable are plastic cornices. They go well with white ceilings, but plastic quickly begins to turn yellow and becomes brittle.
Installation specifics
The cornice is installed on the ceiling. The installation principle itself remains the same - holes are drilled in the slab, plugs (dowels) are inserted into them and the cornice is attached using screws. In this regard, there is no particular difference from the usual installation method, but there are some nuances. Since the cornice is installed on a horizontal plane, ordinary screws for attaching cornices cannot always be used. If you plan to hang several rows of heavy curtains, the screws may not withstand the vertical load and simply jump out of the sockets.
In such situations, the following will do: wedge anchors of the appropriate size. They can withstand a much greater tear load and securely fix the cornice to the ceiling slab. With them, you can not worry that the suspension system will suddenly fall on the heads of the owners or, even worse, guests.
The installation process itself takes place in the following order::
- adjusting the cornice to length (as a rule, it is installed across the entire width of the room, but there are other options - for example, if the wall has curves);
- markup. The cornice is applied to the ceiling and the drilling points for the sockets are marked;
- using an electric drill or hammer drill, make holes for dowels or anchors. It is important to note the depth in advance here.
- drill immersionso that the nests do not turn out too short;
- fixing the cornice to the ceiling slab using the selected fasteners.
Questions and Answers
Let's look at some of the most common questions that unprepared users have when choosing or installing ceiling cornices.
There is no clear answer to this question. Everything depends on the overall style of the room, the owner's taste, and other factors. If no ideas come up, you can simply buy the cornice you like - it will still cope with its tasks.
Three-row cornices bear a heavy load. However, even if today you do not plan to hang three layers of fabric (curtain, blind, lambrequin), then tomorrow the plans may change. Therefore, it is recommended to choose three-row systems.
In order for the size of the nests to be optimal, it is necessary to mark the length of the dowel or anchor on the drill (drill) before drilling. It is most convenient to use electrical tape - a couple of turns are made on the drill, marking the desired depth. During drilling, the tool is immersed until the mark connects with the ceiling slab. It is recommended to leave 2-3 mm over the length of the fastener.
The installation method remains the same. You just need to think carefully about the room division line, and the rest of the steps are no different from those described above. It is best to use a string type suspension - it is the most compact and allows you to install a decorative baguette on both sides.
Yes, it is possible. Many users install it along the perimeter of the room and connect it with a baguette installed along the line of the suspension system. The result is a structure that is essentially close to a hidden cornice.
