Types Of Shower Curtain Rods – A Complete Guide

Last updated on January 18th, 2023 at 07:08 pm

How Many Types Of Shower Rods Are There?

There are as many types of rods as there shapes and sizes of shower stalls and tub installations. Some are very simple and straightfoward. Some are more specialized and require a closer look.

I’ve done the research and put together the definitive guide to the different types of shower curtain rods. Stay with me till the end of this article. You’ll have everything you need to make the right choice for your application.

So let’s answer the most common question…

Which Type Of Shower Rod Is Best?

Which is the “best” or “right” type of shower rod for you is a subjective question. The best type or shape of the shower rod will depend on a few different things.

1. Your Application

Your situation will be the most important thing to consider. Knowing what type of shower or tub you have is very important.

What type of shower/tub space you actually have will largely dictate what type of rod you can use.

2. Your Desired Outcome

Not really concerned about making a big change? Do you just need to get a new rod up quickly? Then a standard straight tension rod might be best for you.

Ready to make a big improvement in your bathroom? Are adding more style and comfort your goals? You will need to take a look at some curved shower curtain rods.

Got a unique application situation? You’ll probably need one of the specialty type shower rods.

3. Your Budget

Don’t have a whole lot of money to spend? A straight tension shower rod will be your best bet.

Have some money to work with and you can consider design and decor options? You will want to consider a double curved shower curtain rod to make a dramatic improvement.

4. Your Skill Level

Installing a curved shower curtain rod is not a major project. So if you are somewhat handy, have some common tools around the house, one of the many mounted rods may be the option for you.

Don’t know a screwdriver from a tape measure? Then your best bet is to go with a straight tension type shower rod.

So, there is no one “right” type of shower curtain rod. Let me take a moment to explain how I have classified them for this article.

About My Classifications

Rather than breaking things down like the other articles and videos I’ve seen, I am going to classify the different types of shower curtain rods into three categories: Straight, Curved, and Specialty. The first two cover the vast majority of applications, and each of those categories have some sub-sets. The last one covers the more uncommon installations, but definitely have their place.

I think this will make it easier for most people to determine which one will be the best for them. So let’s look at our first category.

Straight Shower Curtain Rods

The straight shower curtain rod is the most common and can be found in most households. It is, simply put, a straight rod between two opposite surfaces. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. Straight shower rods come in two types: Tension and Mounted.

Straight Tension Rods – Tension type rods do not require drilling or other steps to get them mounted into place. As the name implies, they use tension to keep them in place.

You will need to adjust the overall length of the rod to the size of your opening and then, depending on your particular rod, you can either make smaller expansion adjustments by twisting the two sections of the rod. Or by making the smaller expansion adjustment on the  end pieces.

Either way, after you expand the rod to where it is touching both sides of your shower opening, you then make the final adjustments to put more tension on it and keep it in place.

Straight Mounted Rods – These rods will require mounting brackets. You will need to measure where the brackets should be, and possibly drill new mounting holes if they don’t line up with your old ones.

Take a look at my guide Installing A Curved Shower Curtain Rod The Right Way. A lot of the instructions there apply to a straight mounted ros as well.

They are a little more involved when it comes to mounting. But they are stronger and will support more of a load than tension rods. Plus they are not prone to loosening up over time and sagging.

Amazon Basics Extendable Curved Shower Rod

Curved Shower Curtain Rods

This type of rod curves out, away from the shower space, from the two endpoints connecting to the walls. Curved Shower Rods can add up to 33% more space in your shower. This makes showering much more comfortable and pleasing.

Because of the arc of the rod, it also keeps the shower curtain liner from blowing back in on you when the water is running. Eliminating that icky feeling of the liner sticking to you when you move.

Plus it helps keep the liner inside the tub so it doesn’t slip out while you are showering. This reduces the risk of water leaking onto your bathroom floor.

Curved shower rods also come in two varieties: tension and mounted.

Tension Mount Curved Shower Rod – I do not recommend curved tension shower curtain rods. Because of the arc of the rod, it applies torque to the mounting area when weight is applied to it, such as a shower curtain and liner. As well as wet towels, clothes, or anything else that may be draped over the rod.

With only the application of tension to keep the rod in place, it is bound to loosen over time and begin to sag. I do not believe this is a good enough application of a product to recommend.

Adjustable Mounted Curved Shower Rod – As with the adjustable straight shower rods, these curved rods are in two pieces that fit together. You adjust the rod outward until it reaches both sides of your shower/tub opening, and then you affix it to the brackets.

The types of brackets and how they are joined to the rod will vary with each model. Determining the correct location of the mounting brackets and screwing the to the walls will take a little skill and some accurate measuring. But it is not a major project. See my article on Installing A Curved Shower Rod to help you with this process.

Single And Double Shower Rods

As opposed to the single rods, the double rod has two parallel, or concentric, rods that are joined together. This allows you to mount the shower curtain liner on the inner rod. And then mount the shower curtain on the outer rod.

Or, by using double hook shower curtain rings, you can mount the shower curtain and liner both on the outer rod. Then you can use the outer rod as a rack for hanging wet towels, rags and hand towels. Or even wet clothes. They can drip into the tub. These extra options make a double curved shower curtain rod an option to consider as well.

Kingston Brass Adjustable Double Curved Shower Rod

Specialty Shower Curtain Rods

There are many other types of shower curtain rods that fit a variety of different and less common applications. From corner to free standing-showers, to old-fashioned style claw-foot tubs retro-fitted for a shower, let’s check out the different options to find a solution for your situation.

L-Shaped Shower Rod

Equi-Distant Sides

Made for a corner shower, this type of rod will be a great choice. If your shower has two sides to it that are at right angles, ie 90°, an L-shaped shower rod is probably what you will need. They come in a couple different configurations.

Some corner showers are equi-distant on both sides. So if you have a corner shower with both sides measuring the same length, this type of shower rod will fit your needs.Be sure to measure the length of each side of your shower space to ensure that you get the correct size rod. These are made for showers with equal lengths on both sides. If they are not quite the same, there is some adjustment. Just be sure it is within the lengths specified by the manufacturer.

Different Length Sides

If you have a corner shower with one side longer than the other, then an L-shaped shower rod might fit your needs as well. There are many models to fit just about any size and lengths of the two sides.

Be sure to correctly measure the length of each side so you can get a rod that will fit your application. Some of these type rods will be adjustable. Others can be cut to size so you can easily make them fit.

Oval Shower Rod

The Oval Shower Rod, also referred to as a rectangular rod or a hoop rod, is intended to enclose a free standing tub. This shower rod allows you to have a shower curtain and/or liner all the way around the tub. This type of installation prevents water leakage on all sides.

Oval, or rectangular, rods come with a few different mounting configuration options. Probably the most common is with brackets on one end that mount to the wall, and a ceiling support connected to the rod on the further, opposite end. This allows for a very stable installation that won’t sag or droop.

Oval rods also come with just ceiling, drop-down mounts, and no bracket that mounts to the wall. This migh help you if your tub is positioned too far away from the wall for a bracket to be installed like that.

There is a couple different varieties of these as well. Rods with two ceiling mounts, one on each side. And rods with three ceiling mounts, one on each end and one along the back side. This allows for a very stable mounting and also leaves the front and two of the radiused corners free of obstruction.

D-Shaped Shower Rod

This type of rod is also made to accomodate a free standing tub. Such as an old-fashioned style claw foot bathtub. The D-shaped shower curtain rod allows you to have a shower curtain liner all the way around, including the back side. Which means that you will need more than one shower curtain liner to make it all the way around the tub.

Then the shower curtain can be placed from the back corners around to the front. Since this is a longer distance to cover, you may need to shower curtains that meet in the middle of the front. Or an extra-wide shower curtain that can make it all the way around the three sides.

If installed correctly, it should be sufficient to support the weight of the shower curtain and liner. If, after a period of time, it begins to sag, ceiling mounts can be purchased separately and installed later.

U-Shaped Shower Rod

This U-Shaped Shower Rod is for a shower space or a free-standing tub that is not in a corner, but along a wall. The U-shaped rod affixes to the wall and allows a shower curtain to be hung on the three sides.

Like the D style, this style of shower rod comes both with or without the ceiling support. If the rod is well mounted, it should support the weight of the shower rod sufficiently. If, after a period of time it begins to sag. down rods, or ceiling supports, can be purchased separately and added later.

Half Oval Shower Rod

There is also a less common Half Oval Shaped Shower Rod. This rod accomplishes the same thing as the U shaped rod. It looks a little different though, as the side opposite the wall is one large radius. So it has two sides extending from the wall and a large curved section between them. As opposed to the U shaped above which has three flat sides with smaller radiuses in the two corners.

Typically, this type of rod will have a support that mounts to the wall in the middle but higher than the brackets. Then a cable or metal support extends down at an angle to the front of the rod. Again, this support will impeded the travel of the shower rings along the entire length of the rod. So keep that as a consideration.

And although these two rods both do basically the same thing, some might prefer the look of one over the other.

Neo-Angle Shower Rod

An even more obscure type is the Neo-Angle Shower Rod. A neo-angle rod is for a corner shower stall that has two short sides extending perpendicular to each wall with a 45° angle between them. Typically, neo-angle shower stalls have glass or plastic doors on them. But if the doors have been damaged, or have to be replaced, a neoangle shower rod may be the answer for you.

This type of rod is usually adjustable. Most likely, you will not have to do any cutting to make it fit. But you will need to know the lengths on each side of your shower stall to make sure you get the correct size.

Neo-angle shower stalls are very unique and can actually add a very nice look to a room.

Ceiling Track Shower Curtain Rod

First of all, it is very plain looking. Almost plain enough to just blend in and not be noticed. But it is not going to add any style or character to you bathroom like some of the other rods here will.

Second, since it is mounted to the ceiling, an extra-long shower curtain and liner will both be a requirement. There are extra-long shower curtain hooks that can be attached onto the hooks that come with the track. These might get it close enough to use a standard length shower curtain and liner. But you might have to experiment a little.

Also, the combination of the two hooks and the resulting extension will change how it feels and acts when opening and closing the shower curtain. So that might take some getting used to as well. But if none of the other rods are a solution, or maybe you just want something different, this ceiling track shower curtain rod might be what you’re looking for.

Conclusion

We’ve taken quite an excursion through the various types of shower curtain rods. For most people the first two categories, straight and curve rods, will be sufficient. But even with that, there are a lot of options to choose from.

But you can also see that there are several other types that are made for just about every situation. Hopefully, no matter your application, you found something in this guide that is helpful.

So wether you are replacing a old broken or non-functional rod and just getting back up and running again, or you’re going all in and installing a new fashionable curved rod that will enhance the look and feel of you entire bathroom, best of luck installing your new shower rod. As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I’ll be happy to assist.

Thanks for reading.