I have a balcony that gets blasted by the sun in the summer. I went out and got some outdoor curtains, relatively light weight, not canvas, but I’m stumped about the curtain rods.
I ordered some sturdy looking 1" rods that were listed as 84" -106" but they arrived and were actually 87" and too big for my opening (since I have three openings and need to fit them all in a line). The next size down, 48"-84" would probably be too flimsy, especially since I wont be able to use the central support.
There are different ones that are 66"- 120" but all the ones I’ve found have very mixed reviews. I’ve looked on overstock, BBB, wayfair, hayneedle, walmart, target, and amazon. There are some good looking ones on Restoration Hardware but they don’t have reviews and either they’re expensive, or on final sale and not returnable.
Does anyone have experience with exterior curtain rods? Has anyone made their own out of conduit? Or used steel cable?
Here’s one from Lowe’s, but it’s black and would be very noticeable. White or a light metallic color would fit our house better. That’s why I’m leaning towards steel cable, but I have no idea how to find that.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-Pipe-Faux-Industrial-with-Mounting-Elbow-and-Flange-36-in-to-72-in-Black-Steel-Single-Curtain-Rod/1000533523
P.S. - the curtains are white and have grommets that are a pale silver color.
I would use electrical conduit. It spans better, and I don’t know that the wire would be as good at staying taut.
I used steel conduit for my living room curtain (very big front window) but it’s hidden under a piece of trim.
Maybe try PVC pipe? It’s available in white and in many different diameters. You could easily attach decorative finials to the pipe ends for a finished look.
I think 1” white pvc might sag. At Home Depot or Lowe’s there is “structural pipe” near the electrical section.this is the type that people make industrial looking bookshelves, etc. It may not have a nice appearance for you, but maybe clean it, sand lightly and paint it with spray paint? No idea what to do for the finial ends to keep the curtains on the rod. And I don’t know how long it comes.
For the 87 inch you purchased, why don’t you just cut it down to your size?
Would it be pretty simple to cut it? I had a person at my house who restores old windows and she was going to install the curtain rods until we discovered they were too long. It may be that I need to find someone more comfortable with metal.
Not exactly the same thing but I needed a curtain rod 32’ long as a divider in an out building. Used 1’conduit, it is supported in several places but no sag at all. I had a friend do something with PVC, his sagged pretty bad.
Guessing Home Depot or Lowe’s will cut them for you. They cut old fashioned pull down shades with a gadget they have. Also, if your curtains can take a larger diameter through the grommet then go larger. 1" might sag.
Copper pipe? Hmmm… Maybe too flimsy.