Advantages and disadvantages
The design has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include:
- saving living space;
- ease of installation;
- long service life;
- Can be used anywhere in the room;
- The cornice is available in 2 options: ceiling and wall;
- installation of decorative elements at your discretion;
- low cost;
- nice design.
The invention of new materials has returned relevance to such cornices.
Design disadvantages are associated with the characteristics of the materials. A string longer than 2 meters may sag if an additional bracket is not installed. If it is not coated with an anti-corrosion compound, then in conditions of high humidity it will become covered with rust. When attaching a standard cornice, masking (installation of a decorative panel or drapery) may be required.
What types of string cornices are there?
Now there are beautiful string cornices on sale for every taste. Designs in several rows (2-3) are intended for the use of multi-layer curtains. For example, in a bedroom where you want to hang tulle and thick curtains, you will need a 2-row design. If you additionally want to install a lambrequin, it is better to install a 3-row cornice.
They are versatile, neutral in style and easy to install.
The strings range from 3 to 5 meters in length. It can be adjusted if desired. The peculiarity of the design is that if the string is slightly sagging, it is enough to tighten the bolts into which it is inserted.
The brackets can be brackets or steel angles. Depending on the design of the room, you can choose decorative brackets:
- vintage;
- with inlay;
- gold plated;
- in transparent plastic;
- imitating vegetation;
- in the form of geometric shapes.
The simpler, the more relevant is the motto of many modern designers.
Design features
In the photo you won’t be able to see all the features of string curtain rods, but there are quite a few of them. It is necessary to focus on the following points:
- a thin but very strong steel string serves as the basis for the cornice;
- to attach the string to the ceiling or wall, special brackets resembling staples are used;
- the length of such a cornice can reach five meters, and with the help of brackets it can be secured in several rows;
- special clips or hooks are used to attach curtains to the string;
- At first glance, it may seem that the string cornice has a simple design, but it can look very elegant if it is covered, for example, with gilding or imitating antique brass.
How to choose?
When choosing a suitable design, the following recommendations are taken into account:
- String cornice is designed for curtains made of light fabrics. If heavy, dense canvases hang on it, sagging of the string is inevitable. The situation can be corrected by installing an additional bracket in the middle. But then the curtains on the left and right can only be moved to the center.
- The structure is not installed in openings longer than 5 meters. The optimal length is 3-4 meters.
- If you need to divide your living space into zones, you can purchase ceiling string cornices.
- It is better to pay more, but buy a string coated with a protective compound.
- The design is suitable for rooms with stable temperatures and low humidity levels.
- You can choose options for the bathroom, toilet, small utility rooms.
These points must be taken into account when choosing a suitable design. String cornices are great because they allow for many design options.
A string curtain rod is an inexpensive but trendy way to decorate a window space.
How to make a string cornice with your own hands?
You can make and install a wall-mounted string cornice yourself in one day. It will be closed because the string will be disguised under the wooden panel. Instead, you can use strong wire or fishing line, and steel corners are suitable for making brackets. An additional 2 MB of bolt will be required.
- The pine plank is burned with a blowtorch and covered with a varnish composition.
- Holes are drilled in the bolts.
- Using brackets, the string is attached to the decorative strip through the holes in the bolts. The bolts are placed in brackets. The nuts are tightened.
- To fasten fabric panels, special metal hooks are used, and if they are not available, metal clips are suitable.
String designs are ideal for high-tech, techno, minimalist interiors, as well as more classic Provence or country.
Dependence of cornices on the type of curtains and windows
Due to the fact that the string cornice has a relatively low load-bearing capacity, the material for the curtains must be selected accordingly. It should be light and not too voluminous, such as cambric, voile, taffeta, organza, silk, chiffon. If heavy curtains are used, there is a risk that the string will sag.
The shape of the window opening is also of great importance when choosing the type of cornice. For wide rectangular windows, the string type would be an excellent choice. Complex shapes of window openings, such as bay windows or rounded ones, do not require the use of strings when installing.
How to install a string cornice?
Tools you will need:
- perforator;
- drills taking into account the features of the wall or ceiling;
- hammer;
- pencil;
- roulette.
The installation instructions are simple, the work is carried out in stages.
- Take the necessary measurements and make markings on the ceiling or wall where the support and intermediate brackets will be installed.
- Use a puncher to make holes at the marked points.
- Insert the dowels and screw in the fasteners.
- The string is pulled into the holes of the tips, one end is fixed in the sleeve. When the base is assembled, the tip is attached.
- Install intermediate brackets. The string pulled through them is fixed with a sleeve placed on the support brackets.
- Using a tension device, pull the string all the way.
- The excess string is cut off with metal scissors.
A curtain or other curtains are secured to the string and masked with a strip if desired.
Curtain rods made from string curtains have a wide range of possibilities for combining with different interiors due to their invisibility.
Interior use
A string cornice is convenient because it can be used for different types of light curtains and in almost any room. They look great in the bathroom, where the linen, mounted on beautiful decorative hooks, moves easily and freely.
They are very thin, almost invisible behind the folds of the material, and are placed at a short distance from the wall or ceiling.
The ability to be used anywhere in a living space allows you to zone the space at your discretion. By camouflaging it with a drapery or strip that matches the wall or ceiling, it feels like the curtains are suspended in the air.
Since such a device requires almost no space, it is suitable for the most modest rooms in size and height.
This is an excellent option for garages and other utility rooms where various materials need to be protected from dust. At the same time, curtains also perform an aesthetic function, hiding from view work corners with a bunch of tools.
Thanks to their simple design, they fit perfectly into classic style, hi-tech and minimalism.
This is also a good idea for decorating children's rooms, when children want to create a cozy corner. A string curtain rod for curtains in a nursery, which can be installed fairly quickly, is a real godsend for restless kids. The light from the lamp will not fall into the eyes when the child falls asleep, but is afraid to remain in the dark. The advantage of string cornices is that they create the illusion of a wall, while occupying a very small amount of usable space.
Curtains with string are used in the dining room or kitchen, living room, bedroom. Such curtains are especially convenient for balconies and loggias, glazed verandas in a country house.
Closed and open string cornice: fastening correctly
Regardless of the model, the product includes several intermediate and support brackets. They are supplemented with tension points and a cable. In addition, the standard delivery package includes mounting hardware and fasteners.
Expert commentary
Vladislav Dobronravov
Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company
From the outside it may seem that a string curtain rod is not particularly difficult to attach, but this is not always the case.
Taking into account the structure of the material and the type of construction will help you avoid common mistakes. The last factor is divided into two categories - open and closed.
The differences between them can be described as follows:
- With the closed variety, all protruding elements are hidden from view as much as possible;
- The open fastening format is based on speed - a base hook is screwed into the wall, with the help of which the fishing line is installed;
- If we are talking about a fairly spacious balcony, then the choice is made in favor of the closed variety.
The production of string cornices is carried out in two common varieties - open and closed. The division is based on the method of fixing the hooks in the wall. If a light load is expected, then it is more logical to install an “open” type. In this case, you can save time and money spent on installation. Built-in curtain rods are often used for heavy curtains and curtains.
Operating rules
Installation of the structure does not take much time, and the curtains and drapes, carefully chosen to match the tone of the furniture and wallpaper, fit perfectly into the interior of the room. In order for the string cornice to continue to serve for many years, you need to do the following:
- review components and replace those affected by corrosion;
- do not try to install the string on suspended ceilings;
- avoid heavy curtains;
- Wipe the headset regularly with a soft, dry cloth;
- if dirt or other substances get in contact, wash the string with soapy water and wipe dry;
- try not to use brackets and holders with complex shapes, which are difficult to clean from dust from all sides.
The only limitation is that such curtain rods can only withstand light fabrics.
They are suitable for silk, tulle, taffeta, organza, muslin or light cotton, linen, lightweight jacquard. It is important that the surface of the string does not remain wet. Despite the protective layer, corrosion may appear on the metal. The situation becomes more complicated if the string is masked with a baguette strip, which is difficult to remove. Therefore, this point must be taken into account.
The fastening of the curtains is very compact, invisible and allows you to freely move the fabric along the window.
Design and characteristics
String cornices have been used in interior design for many decades; the product can be called eternal: it does not wear out, is not afraid of the aggressive influence of the surrounding string, and is almost impossible to tear or break. Thanks to its unique characteristics, string cornice can be used in any room: in living rooms, on balconies, in bathrooms, in the kitchen, veranda and even in bathhouses and gazebos.
The thin steel cable is almost invisible and does not overload the interior with details.
Constructive
Modern models have advantageous differences in finishing and design from those produced earlier. Now these are beautiful, stylish, reliable, original designs that can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. It is based on a strong string made of steel. The fastening consists of brackets or brackets decorated with decorative overlays.
The string fastening for curtains has a standard length of 5 m, but can be reduced. Most brackets are designed in such a way that one, two or even three rows of cables can be pulled on them. Multi-row models are designed for hanging multi-layer curtains. The canvas is hung on special clips.
Important: Some string cornices are susceptible to corrosion; for rooms with high humidity, choose models with a reliable protective layer.
The photo shows string holders; the smaller the bracket, the closer you can hang the curtain to the wall
Tension system
To prevent strings from sagging, manufacturers are improving tension systems. Modern models can be easily tightened if they have sagged during use. It is recommended to install brackets every 2 m; several support points will make the structure more durable and reliable.
The simplest design of a string cornice
