Flexible curtain rails

Together with the new architectural solutions for the realization of the usual interior of irregularly shaped windows (arched, bay windows, oblique curved frames), new ways of their design came. One of which is the use of flexible curtain rails for curtains that can bend and take on any shape. This property makes it possible not only to design complex window openings, but also helps to advantageously zone the interior of any apartment.

In the world of modern technologies of modern interior, where asymmetrical outlines and smooth lines cannot be dispensed, curtain fastener systems are widely used to preserve the stylistic features of the interior.

The curving material of the eaves can take both a soft bend and an acute angle with a radius of about 5 cm. Thanks to the combination of a flexible horizontal axis and rigidity of the vertical axis, you can give any non-standard shape to the profile of the eaves and choose curtains from any, even heavy material.

Modern models are different:

• high strength of the material, despite its softness and ability to bend easily, adapting to the chosen geometry of the ceiling and walls;
• universality of use (however, this design is not suitable for stretch ceiling systems);
• ease of installation and operation (ensures perfect sliding of the curtains);
• the ability to increase or shorten the length of the cornice, choose its width;
• stylish performance (the use of interesting decorative details makes it possible to decorate any room and further emphasize the interior);
• low cost of the product and additional fasteners;
• convenience of movement (compactness in packed form allows to transport the tape without any problems).

Depending on the method of attachment, flexible profiles can be ceiling or wall mounted. There are no differences in the complexity of their installation, so the choice of the type of curtain rods depends on the preferences of the user and on the application (for zoning, ceiling structures are used more often).

Interior designers recommend the use of ceiling profiles in small areas with low ceilings.When using this eaves for window openings, you can visually extend the room.

Depending on the number of rows, single-row and multi-row profiles are distinguished. Single row - a classic type for simple window decoration compositions. Quite another thing - two-row design. They allow you to create complex combinations of textile materials on a single window space - attaching several rows of thin curtains, hanging lambrequins, beads and other decorative elements.

Depending on the shape, they emit tape eaves (straight profile), rounded, semicircular and arcuate.

Flexible eaves of a direct form are universal. A very useful feature from both aesthetic and practical points of view is a system with rounded corners. When used in a bedroom, when night curtains are drawn, less light and cold air enters the room, creating a feeling of comfort and security.

Semicircular and arc-shaped cornices are suitable for such structures as arches, a bay window and a dormer window, and niches inside the room.

Depending on the material distinguish aluminum, plastic and polyurethane eaves.

Due to its technical characteristics, structures made of aluminum have gained great popularity. Their benefits can not be assessed:

• reliability, durability and practicality, allowing such systems to withstand heavy curtains;
• ability to be inert to water (when placed in bathrooms and open balconies and attic), do not respond to the source of fire, as well as withstand the influence of high or low temperature conditions, sudden drops in temperature;
• long preservation of appearance (due to the presence of a special polymer coating, which protects the product from the adverse effects of physical and mechanical factors, provides resistance to deformation during the entire period of operation);
• the possibility of changing the color of aluminum tape (it is carried out only by experts in the order, at independent coloring the covering can exfoliate);

However, due to the fact that aluminum is a rather expensive material, the cost of the cornice will be quite high, but this fact cannot be considered a disadvantage due to the high quality of such material.

The construction consisting of plastic also has its advantages and disadvantages. Of the benefits can be noted:

• a huge selection of colors and shapes (this fact simplifies the search for a suitable option);
• the possibility of attaching decorative elements (ribbons, beads, pelmets);
• ease of installation of such eaves, associated with the flexibility of this material;
• water resistance, thermal stability (except for very high temperatures);
• practicality in use;
• lack of special care - dirt is not absorbed into the plastic surface;
• low price in comparison with aluminum analogs.

Among the drawbacks it can be noted that when buying you need to keep in mind that, unlike metal products that have up to four rows, the plastic cornice will include only one or two rows.

Particularly noteworthy and design of polyurethane. The choice of this type of material is due to the following useful properties:

• resistance to sudden temperature changes;
• high level of flexibility of the product, elasticity (the ability to design angles of 100 degrees);
• wear resistance during operation;
• chemical inertness (when mounted using adhesive agents, it is not deformed due to reactions);
• reliability (withstands heavy curtain combinations of the order of 100 kg);
• availability of price.

Flexible eaves made of wood are in demand less often because of the high price of the material and coatings, which come in a variety of shades, often covered with transparent varnish.

Unlike systems made of other materials, wooden structures are not resistant to high temperatures, moisture and chemicals, which limits the use of these curtain rods and complicates the situation with their care. The service life of these products is longer than, for example, plastic, and the strength is not inferior to analogues.

Flexible eaves made of wood in the interior design in the style of Loft, Country, Provence are very popular. The overall design of these structures provides the room with natural harmony and naturalness, this once again underlines their uniqueness.When using flexible cornices in the interior of the Modernist style, designers choose wooden profiles decorated with metal, glass and polymeric inserts.

The product itself is an elastic and durable tape of a certain length, to which a set of special fastenings goes (depending on the place of installation of the structure there are fastenings on the wall and ceiling), hooks, plugs and supports.

The tape design serves as the basis for fastening curtains on it. To secure the eaves at a predetermined angle, there are supports, which hold the structure in the correct position.

Plugs are used to fasten the edges of the profile cornice. Thanks to these elements, the eaves firmly hold their position when opening the curtains. In addition, the use of plugs allows the pelmet firmly fixed on the profile.

The brackets are usually made of plastic or aluminum. They regulate the space between the wall and the structure of the eaves.

Hooks for placing light curtains are small in size, and those used for lambrequins are large and heavy.The first ones are located on the bottom row of the profile (their plugs hold the edge of the structure), the second ones are located on the top row.

In some models, the package bundle also provides for extension cords, this ensures the versatility of the product.

Before you buy a flexible eaves, you must carefully measure the width of the window opening, providing for all its bends. Typically, experts advise to take the profile a few centimeters longer in order to unforeseen consumption of material.

There are several standard sizes of flexible structures (the number of components is in accordance with the tape length and is indicated approximately):

• 3,5 meters long cornice (35 hooks, 4 caps and 8 calipers);
• eaves 5 meters long (50 pieces of hooks and 4 caps and 11 supports);
• 7-meter cornice (70 pieces of hooks and 6 caps and 15 calipers);
• 10-meter cornice (100 pieces of hooks and 8 caps and 22 calipers);

For professional installation, the size of the product is 50 meters and is supplemented with 450 hooks, 50 caps and 100 calipers.

If you want to make a cornice of several rows, buy one long profile and cut it into equal four pieces. For example, a flexible ten-meter profile can be used to form a structure of three rows.

The installation of these constructions is simple in independent execution. Before you carry out installation work, you must prepare a place on which the cornice will be attached (the ceiling must be smooth and clean).

For installation, you need to stock up on tools such as:

• drill, hammer drill or screwdriver;
• self-tapping screws;
• level used in construction;
• pencil;
• roulette.

Often in the package with the product is enclosed an instruction describing the scheme of detailed assembly and installation.

Installing the cornice includes a sequence of specific actions:

• First, draw a pencil curve direction on the ceiling.
• Then drill holes with a perforator at a specified interval and insert dowels into them.
• Fix brackets and calipers, attach hooks to the base of the structure.
• Fix the flexible profile with hooks using screws on the site of fastening calipers.
• Hang the curtains on the installed system using hooks.

In some cases, you can hang curtains and without purchasing a cornice. You can use a fishing line, a thick thread or string, attach it in certain places on the wall, providing light plastic hooks.

Sometimes designers bypass the eaves choose interesting hooks that are screwed with screws directly to the surface of the wall or ceiling. However, the curtains will not be able to move.

Despite the budget cost, all of these options will either look not very aesthetically pleasing, or will not be practical and suitable for a country house or a temporary rented apartment.

Flexible eaves - the ideal choice for non-standard window decoration of any shape in any style.Especially luxurious living room or bedroom in the Empire style and Baroque. And it makes no difference whether it will be Roman or ordinary curtains, the attachment of a lambrequin is also possible.

This type of construction does not take much space, so it is often used to create a design of balcony bay windows, in the attic or on ordinary balconies.

For the division of space into separate areas in the framework of work on a modern interior solution, specialists often use such constructions. For example, when delimiting zones in a studio apartment of this type, cornices are installed to attach curtains of a canopy type or various screens to them, which, in turn, perform the function of zoning a room.

The option of separating the kitchen area in studio apartments is very beneficial, because by closing the kitchen with a thick screen you can prevent the spread of odors that arise during cooking. For some models of this design it is possible to withstand loads from fabrics of any density and mass, the choice in favor of flexible curtain rods becomes obvious.

This type of product found its place in the rooms of children's rooms: placing a canopy over the cradle, highlighting the area for play, study and recreation area.

Flexible eaves profile is used in bathrooms. Since in the modern interior there are often baths of irregular shape, instead of expensive and difficult to manufacture plastic compartment doors use waterproof curtains and screens. It should be noted that in this case, the eaves also choose waterproof.

The ceiling cornice of a flexible design can play the role of independent decoration, solving the most avant-garde tasks of designers. So, for example, the interior is in the style of any modern trend, where the masters emphasize on color perfectly complement the curtain rods painted in bright neon color.

Users in the reviews note the following advantages of flexible curtain rods for curtains: smooth sliding during operation, ease of installation, complete system at low cost. In addition, one of the most important advantages is the aesthetics of the rooms, in which the usual curtain rods were replaced with bending structures.

Among the shortcomings, it is noted that not all types of flexible profiles withstand heavy curtains, sometimes the curtain does not move freely enough due to irregularities on the ceiling and walls.

But despite these nuances, flexible cornice is an ideal solution for rooms and windows of unusual geometric shape.

For information on how to install a flexible ceiling cornice, see the following video.