How to Make a Conduit Curtain Rod for a Bay Window
- 1). Determine the number of brackets required. The rod is measured and built to fit the brackets. The rod comes in three sections, one for each window section of the bay. A bay window rod requires a bracket at each outside edge, one on each side of the angled joint between sections, and one in the center of any rod section more than 24 inches long. In a bay with three windows sections measuring 26 inches wide, 40 inches wide (the center section) and 26 inches wide, nine brackets are required.
Take a piece of conduit with you when purchasing the brackets to ensure you purchase the correct size. Purchase finials with an inside diameter measurement that's 1/4-inch greater than the outside diameter measurement of the conduit. Buy a clear tube that will fit snuggly into the conduit. - 2). Determine the amount of rod required to mount the finials by inserting the rod into the finial and marking the rod where it exits the finial.
- 3). Install the brackets. Place the outside edge brackets above and outside the window frame. Remember that the curtains or drapes will not be able to open past these brackets and that there will be a finial attached to the rod. Install the brackets at the angle between each window section so they won't touch. A bracket that projects 3 inches from the wall should be installed about 3 inches from the angle to avoid touching the bracket installed on the adjacent window section.
- 4). Measure the sections for the rod length. Place the tape measure on the bracket in the position the rod will take, and measure from the outside edge of the outside bracket to the outside edge of that section's outside bracket. Do not measure the wall. The brackets support the rod in front of the wall. Due to the angle that creates the bay, the measurement around the bay on the wall is different from the measurement around the bay on the brackets.
- 5). Add the amount required for the finial mounting to each outside section’s measurement. Cut two pieces of conduit to this measurement and subtract 1/2 inch. Cut a piece of conduit equal to the center section measurement less 1 inch.
- 6). Cut two pieces of clear woven plastic tube to the measurement required for finial mounting. Cut each of these pieces open along the length. Place this tube over one end of each of the outside rod sections. The cut allows the tube to adjust to fit the conduit. Place the finial over this tube. The plastic tube holds the finial in place. Remove a finial to thread the drapes or rings onto the rod.
- 7). Cut two sections of the tube to 8 inches long. Connect the center and outside sections of conduit by inserting one end of the tube into each end of the center section, with the other end of the tube into the remaining end of each of the outside sections. Leave 1 inch of tube exposed between the conduit sections.
- 8). Install the rod on the brackets. Bend it at the tube connections to fit the angle of the bay.
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