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Window decoration helps to make the room comfortable, cozy. And in the design of window openings, too, there are trends. The last – curtains from ceiling to floor. Ceiling cornices are required for implementation. Let’s talk about what they are.
Advantages and disadvantages of ceiling cornices
Ceiling called cornices that are attached to the ceiling and they are becoming more and more popular and here’s why. Firstly, the cornice on the ceiling visually makes the ceilings higher, because there is no horizontal division, which gives such an effect.
The second point – you can drape the entire plane from one wall to another and from floor to ceiling. If the window is in the short wall of a long room, it looks more attractive.
Third plus. Since the curtains on the ceiling cornice cover the entire gap in height, the absence of gaps makes the blackout almost perfect. And the “accompanying” positive moment – you can hide the heating risers, which are usually located near the window.
There are other advantages:
- Design variability. There is an invisible version, neutral and with a decorative strip. This bar is attached to a special panel on the front side of the eaves. It can be of any kind and style. Thanks to this, you can arrange the window in the desired style. For example, use a flexible plastic tape painted “under the metal”. This is an option for high-tech style and the like. You can use an overlay with an ornament. This option is good both in the styles of ethnic trends, and for classics and even “palace” interiors.
Ceiling cornices can be invisible, or they can serve to decorate the interior - Curtains move well (if you use high-quality products).
- You can make curtains with control. It is mechanical – a chain that must be pulled to close or open the curtains. There is automatic – using the control panel.
- Any length. Usually the ceiling curtain rod comes in a piece up to 4 meters, but there are connectors that allow you to increase the length to the required one.
- Curved lines are easily implemented. To do this, there are either special flexible ceiling cornices, which can be given any shape, or prefabricated, in which the roundings have a certain radius. They are inserted in the right place with the help of a built-in lock, which does not interfere with moving the sliders (at least not too much).
Ceiling cornices can be curved. Installation example in a plasterboard ceiling niche
Of the shortcomings, only inconvenience during installation can be distinguished. It is inconvenient to keep your hands raised up, and drilling ceilings in apartments is still a pleasure. The disadvantages can also be attributed to the complexity of installation in the presence of stretch ceilings. If they are only planned, everything is possible. If you already have, there’s nothing you can do.
Types and types
According to the number of runners on which curtains can move, ceiling cornices are single-row, double-row, three-row. In fact, you can find a design with seven skids – for complex structures, but the ones listed are the most common.
Designs
Ceiling cornices for curtains can be of several types:
- string (cable);
- profile (tire)
- plastic;
- aluminum.
The construction of strings is simple and uncomplicated. There are two fasteners, a long thin steel (rarely nylon) cord, along which the hooks slide. The number of strings is from one to three. These options are good for interiors in a minimalist style. They are also used if the cornice is not visible: in the niches of plasterboard or stretch ceilings, behind decorative overlays. It is also the cheapest and at the same time functional option.
Profile ceiling cornices have a body made of plastic or aluminum, in which grooves are formed. Sometimes they are called “rails” because they are very similar in purpose. Hooks of a special shape are inserted into the grooves. There are also runners. They are distinguished by the presence of rotating wheels. The second option is more expensive, but they also move many times easier. Curtains are attached to these runners / hooks.
There are models of familiar cornices with pipes, but which are attached to the ceiling. Even the simplest design looks completely different. This option can be used in modern interiors. But with complex shapes of windows and balconies – in bay windows and other layout features – such cornices will cause difficulties.
Rounded edges (framing ceiling moldings)
If the window is on a long wall or wall-to-wall curtains are not in your plans, the length of the plank should be only slightly wider than the length of the window. But not everyone likes such an “incomplete” look, and for such cases there are roundings for the corners. They can be in several versions. Plastic ceiling cornices have special inserts with a certain radius. Available for right and left turns. They are made in such a way that a curtain (curtain) can go around the turn.
Case ceiling cornices with rounded ends have a different device. The rails themselves, along which the curtains move, are straight, and the decorative bar that is placed in front of them can be rounded (pictured below).
There is also such an option as flexible ceiling cornices. They can be bent as you like, but they are not very convenient to use. Too elastic material is not what is required for these products, so we recommend using this type of ceiling cornice only if you have not found other options.
For bay windows (rounded)
Plastic cornices can also be called modular. They consist of a set of elements with which you can assemble a structure of the required shape. It’s just not very convenient that you can’t assemble any corner. However, even with such a set, you can assemble a ceiling cornice for a bay window.
The second option for a bay window is a flexible cornice to the ceiling. This is a profile made of a special polymer, which, with sufficient vertical rigidity in the horizontal plane, can bend as you like. Of course, there is a minimum bend radius, but it is not too large. It depends on the specific brand and company, but usually less than 10 cm. This is enough for a bay window of any shape.
It may come in handy on the balcony, in the attic and wherever there are non-standard designs that it is desirable to cover with curtains. With the help of a flexible ceiling cornice, you can organize a canopy for the bed, attach a curtain that will separate one part of the room from another.
With decorative strip (front molding)
If you are considering curtain rods as a decoration, you will love the idea of a ceiling molding with a decorative strip. To install the finishing strip on the front side, either an adhesive tape can be fixed or a groove can be made.
If adhesive tape is already attached to the ceiling cornice, you can sew a finishing strip from curtain material or from decorative fabric that is found in the design of the room. In general, which one do you like better or is more suitable.
There is another option (pictured lower right picture). Along the body of the cornice there are grooves, due to which a plastic decorative tape is attached. In this case, the choice is limited: you can choose from what the manufacturer of a particular cornice offers. True, there is an option: stick the same adhesive tape to the end, the counterpart to the plastic and fasten it as in the first version.
plastic or aluminum
On sale there are ceiling cornices for curtains made of plastic and aluminum. If we compare these two materials, of course, metal is more reliable and stronger, it can withstand heavy loads. But if you use light curtains and curtains, it is quite possible to put plastic. You just need to look for thick-walled ones and it’s better to see and hold them in your hands so that you can evaluate the wall thickness and casting quality.
Aluminum ceiling cornices are much more expensive, and with light curtains, a margin of safety will simply not be needed. Although, of course, they can be used for many years. You can’t say the same about plastic, but the costs are many times less. In general, it’s up to you.
If the curtains are made of heavy material, then aluminum ceiling cornices will be needed. And in the description, look for an indication that they are designed specifically for heavy curtains. They also have more powerful hook-runners, the profiles are made of thicker metal, the fasteners have a large support area and they need to be fixed with more dowels. In general, ceiling curtain rods for heavy curtains are of reinforced construction.
How to determine the size
If you want the curtains to be wall-to-wall, then the cornice should be almost the same length. It can be 10 cm shorter, but it can be close. If you are going to close only the window, then the length of the cornice should be at least 50 cm more than the width of the window opening. More is possible, but less is not desirable.
In general, the length is determined by each for himself. You can proceed from the following considerations:
- If the window is large, there is more than enough light in the room, you can take the cornice of the minimum length: the width of the window opening + 40 cm (20 cm on each side). In this case, open curtains will slightly overlap the window.
The minimum distance from the edge of the window opening is 20 cm - If the window is already small and faces north, then it is better that at least 30 cm remain on the sides. In this case, even thick curtains in the assembled state will fit on the side of the window.
- Two windows on one wall with a small wall. It is best to make one long curtain holder. It will look much more modern.
There is one remark that should be considered when choosing the length of the ceiling cornice. It must be fixed so that the farthest row of curtains (tulle) does not touch the heating radiators. This should be taken into account, because not all of our rooms have ideal geometry.
How to choose a plastic ceiling cornice
Immediately decide on the level of complexity of the curtains. Depending on this, choose the number of rows in the profile. If there is only tulle, you need a single row, if there is tulle and curtains, you need a double row. Or maybe you want to have curtains of different densities – thicker ones for perfect blackout. Then you need a three-row cornice on the ceiling.
Next, we pay attention to the possibility of attaching a decorative strip. If the installation is hidden in a niche, if you do not want to draw attention to the way the curtains are attached, you need ordinary models. If you want to install a decorative bar, you will need the appropriate designs.
What we are looking at next:
- Wall thickness and casting quality. The thicker the walls, the better. The minimum allowable value is 1 mm.
- Jumpers must be smooth, not littered, without bubbles, abnormal holes, etc.
- It is desirable that there are factory holes for mounting. Although they are easy to make yourself, the lack of mounting holes is one of the signs of not too high quality.
If the ceiling cornice is sold packaged, there is no way to look at the wall thickness, you can indirectly estimate the thickness by “weighing” the kit on your hands. The more it weighs, the more plastic, the thicker the walls.