What is the difference between a Curtain Rod and a Curtain Rail /Curtain Track?

Is a Curtain ROD the same as a Curtain RAIL? Similarities and differences.

This is a common question, especially when you are faced with the dilemma first time, of what to choose for the: Curtain RODS? Or Curtain RAILS?

Here you will find explanations of differences and similarities in a easy way:

1.  The Similarities of Curtain Rods and Curtain Rails:

Curtain Rails and Curtain Rods, both are used to attach Curtains and Voile. The type of Curtains does not matter here. Can be it transparent and light curtains, heavy, double curtains or blackout Curtains - both types and Rails and Rods, can be used. So the application is the same.

This is probably the only one similarities between Rods and Rails.

2.    The differences between Curtain Rods and Curtain Rails

The most important difference is the shape, form and Curtain sliding system.

-       Shape and Form: the difference of Curtain Rods and Curtain Rails

Shape and form are the main and most visible difference. 

While Curtain Rods - this is a form of a rod, a kind of bar - a "stick", usually made of metal or wood, on which curtains can be hung.

You can, for example, hang a curtain directly on such a rod if it is equipped with eyelets - grommets, it mean metal or plastic rings. These grommets are integrated with the curtain. Then just slide through the eyelets onto the bar and you're done.

Another easy way is to use Curtain Rings that are placed around the rod, and then the curtain must have hooks, that will allow it to be attached to these Rings. These are these rings that move along the rod, when we want to move the Curtain left or right. The Curtain should have some system that allows you to attach a curtain hooks, it can be, for example, a Curtain Tape or Flex system - there are many ways to attach hooks to the Curtain.

While the Curtain Rail it is profile that is "open" inside, most often made of aluminium, sometime made of plastic. Special hooks are inserted into Rails, to let move the Curtain.

These Rails are most often shape of rectangles. They can be vertical or horizontal rectangles.

These differences in shape determine their use:

-      For Curtains with Eyelets - only Rods can be use   

-          For Curtains with Curtain Tape and Hooks - both Rods and Rails can be used

-         For Curtains with a Tunnel or Stripes - only Rods can be used

-        Functionality  Curtain Rods or Rails

As a result, differences in functioning appear. Namely, when using a Curtain Rod with curtains rings or grommets attached directly to the curtains, these rings are blocked when moved through the brackets. 

Therefore, the Curtain cannot be moved freely on the Rod, but only to the place where the bracket is mounted. And this is where Curtain will be stopped.

This is a huge difference between a Bar and a Rail, because in a Curtain Rail, the hooks inside it are NOT blocked by anything. And the Curtain can be moved smoothly from left to right, without any restrictions.

-        Mounting Curtain Rods Or Rails:

The installation of both systems also differs significantly.

Due to their construction, the bars can be mounted both to the wall and the ceiling. However, the need to install rings or curtains with grommets means that the rod must be moved significantly away from the ceiling.

While the Rail can be mounted directly to the ceiling without any gap. So wherever there is a curtain, which must or wants to be mounted to the ceiling, only rails can be used.

 This will also work if there is very little space above the window and the rod is simply too long. It is the small rail that should be used.

-        Style Curtain Rods Or Rail:

Coming back to the basic differences. Looking at the appearance:

- Curtain Rods - this is a large element in interior with character. Rods have been used for many centuries. This is why it is often associated, and rightly so, with classic, traditional styles.

So wherever we are dealing with a classic interior, probably high but narrow windows, curtain rods should be used. Often, the fact that the curtain does not slide along the entire length of the curtain rod does not matter much. Here, the curtains are rather fastened with a tassel, in order to reveal the window and also for decoration. So covering and revealing the window often means fastening and unfastening the Tassels.

Meanwhile, curtain rods, with their minimal form, will fit perfectly into modern interiors. The windows here are often huge and very wide. And curtains do not have tassels, because modern curtains are straight hanging fabrics without unnecessary draping. Therefore, it is important that the curtain can move without barriers.

This division:

- Curtain Rod- classic interiors,

- Curtain Rail - modern,

 is a great simplification

Rails are sometimes used in classic interiors as well, for example when we have a niche above the window covered with a pelmet.

And for modern interiors - you can use the "modern form" of the rod, such as the stainless steel  - inox color collection, a small metal rod.

To sum up, rails and rods, although they serve the same purpose of hanging curtains, have many differences, both in functionality, shape, appearance and even use. However, you can often hear, greatly simplifying, the term of Curtain Rods refers to anything that can hold a curtain on a window, and vice versa, Curtain Rails refers to all rods and rails. However, it is better to know what is what and what its advantages and disadvantages are.

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