HighlandForge.com - Window treatment hardware glossary. Curtain rods and brackets, finials and tiebacks.

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Glossary
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A - C | D - Q | R - Z

Window Treatment Hardware Terminology

A - C	Arch Window Window in the shape of an arch. Perfect arch windows are those where the total width equals twice the total height of the arch - it's exactly half a circle.	top
	Bay Window A window consisting of three adjacent windows (angles in between). Typically bay windows project from the building and form an alcove inside.
	Bow Window Windows in the wall of a rounded bay or other round surface, where the curtain rod is to be mounted on the horizontal plane (as opposed to the vertical plane for arch window curtain rods).
	Bracket A solid piece of material used to mount or attach curtain rods to the wall, molding, window trim, or ceiling. Can be made in a variety of shapes to accommodate double rods, inside mount rods, rods with returns, etc.
	"C" Curtain Ring A curtain ring from which a section of the back has been removed, thus giving a "C" shape. C-rings are used with Passing Brackets which allow the rings to smoothly slide past the bracket arm. C-rings still appear as a standard ring from the front.
	Cafe Mounted Curtain Rods Curtain rods mounted such that only the bottom half of the window is covered.
	Ceiling Mounted Curtain Rods Curtain rods mounted from the ceiling. In some applications this may be the easiest/best way to mount a rod. This is the typical setup for shower curtain rods when there are no nearby walls with which to use escutcheons.
	Center Bracket A single or double bracket made to mount over the top of a window to support the additional weight in the center of the curtain rod when there is not enough vertical space to accommodate a standard bracket.
	Corner Window A window consisting of two adjacent windows separated by a corner. Often, a single corner curtain rod will work better both physically and aesthetically than two separate straight rods.
	Custom-made The term "Custom-made" refers to products that are manufactured only by the instructions, measurements and materials you specify. Products that are mass produced and then altered to meet your needs as best as possible do not provide the look, quality or level of satisfaction as a custom-made product. Highland Forge builds all products by hand and allows you to specify all product specifications including the finish.
D - Q	Diameter The length of a straight line that runs through the center of a circle, cutting it into two symmetrical halves.	top
	Double Bracket A bracket with two cups, for use with a double rod setup. Cups can be made at different sizes to accommodate different diameter rods.
	Escutcheon Bracket A bracket consisting of a backplate and a single cup in which the end of the curtain rod sits. Used for inside mounts (curtain rod mounted between two facing walls).
	Eyelet Ring A curtain ring having a small round hoop on the underside, through which the drapery is sewn or a drapery pin is inserted.
	Finial A decorative element attached to one or both ends of a rod that also prevents rings and panels from sliding off the end of the rod.
	Hanging Bracket Bracket used for a ceiling mount, or any mount where the bracket extends down from above the rod. A common use would be for the middle bracket on an inside mount rod in a recessed window.
	Inside Mounted Curtain Rods Inside mounted curtain rods are rods mounted between two facing surfaces. This type of mounting usually uses escutcheon brackets and is most common with windows having deep recesses. This is also the typical setup for shower curtain rods, where the rod is mounted between two walls facing one another. When measuring for inside mounted curtain rods, be sure to subtract 3/8" from the width of the rod if using escutcheons, to allow room for the brackets themselves and ease of installation.
	Medallion A medallion is a decorative piece made of cast iron, steel, or brass which can be used as the ornamental element of a tieback / holdback or bracket.
	Miter The diagonal seam joining two pieces at a corner.
	Outside Mounted Curtain Rods Outside mounted curtain rods are rods mounted on the wall beyond the window opening or on the window trim or molding. Typically, outside mounted curtain rods overhang the window (covering space beyond the window opening / trim). You will need to determine how much overhang you want (typically 4" - 10" on each end) and add that amount to your window/wall measurements.
	Overhang Overhang is the amount the rod extends past the outer edges of the window trim. A certain amount of overhang is useful so that the drapery does not block the window when the curtains are fully opened. We recommend around 4" on each side for short rods, and up to 10 - 12" for long rods. Aesthetics, drapery use and thickness, and rod length are all considerations in determining overhang.
	Post Bracket A curtain rod bracket consisting of a back plate and a post. Typically used with curtain rods having returns.
	Projection The distance between the curtain rod and the surface on which it is mounted. Most single rod setups have a projection of between 3" and 3 1/2". Double rods usually have a projection of between 2" and 3" for the first rod, and between 4 1/2" and 6" for the second rod. Variances in projection depend on rod size, mounting conditions, drapery properties, and personal preference.
R - Z	Radius Half the diameter of a circle.	top
	Recess The window opening frame in which the window has been installed. An installation within the recess, mounted side to side is called an "inside mount".
	Returns The ends of a curtain rod that turn back toward the wall or mounting location. Curtain rods with returns are used with post brackets when there is no room / desire for finials, or when the mounting conditions require it. (Shown is curtain rod with return and post bracket.)
	Span We define span as the length of unsupported rod. For example, a 130" rod using a middle bracket in the center would have 2 spans of 65". A 90" rod with no middle bracket would have a span of 90". Knowing the span(s) of the rod will help you determine what diameter you need. Rods increase in rigidity as they increase in diameter, therefore the longer the span, the larger diameter rod you will need to prevent sag. Fabric weight should also be considered. In the examples above, the 130" rod could get by with the 3/4" diameter rod (or possibly 1/2" rod if the fabric is light), whereas the 90" rod would need at least the 1" diameter rod (or larger if the fabric is heavy).
	Tieback / Holdback An ornamental piece of window treatment hardware attached to the wall on either side of a window. Used to secure panels or drapery to the side of the window opening in a decorative manner. Available in post and hook styles.
	Wand A piece of window treatment hardware consisting of a long cylindrical handle with a hook at one end and a ball at the other. Used for adding ease in opening and closing drapes for hard to reach curtain rods.

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