Curtains add so much to a room. They are decorative and can tie different colors of a room together, they keep out the sun, and they give you more privacy in your home. A very common object that is found to hold up those curtains is a tension rod. They are standard in many homes today, holding up even the heaviest curtains, and many other items in people’s homes.
But how much weight can a tension rod really hold? The simple, pretty standard answer is about 20 pounds.
The not so simple answer? It depends on the type of tension rod you have.
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What is a tension rod?
Some of you may be wondering what a tension rod even is. Well, it’s a rod that is placed between two walls or windowsills, or any two hard surfaces, making it secure by the tension. Many people use tension rods because they don’t leave marks on the surface you put them on. This means that they are great for renters who don’t want to deal with any unnecessary marks on the walls when they eventually move. They are also quick and easy to install. You put one end against the wall, making sure it is flat, then extend it to the other side. They take minutes to install, and you don’t need to spend even more time beforehand digging around for a screwdriver.
How much weight can a tension rod hold?
The amount of weight that a tension rod can hold depends on the type of rod you buy. Before buying the tension rod, it’s important to have some idea of what you are going to use it for, and where it is going to be. For example, wet clothing is heavier than a few freshly ironed pieces of clothing. If it’s for a closet, children’s clothing weighs less than adult clothes do. Once you know what you are using the rod for, and where you are going to put it, it’s time to pick the perfect rod.
Spring Rod
A spring rod can hold the least amount of weight. Even the metal ones can only hold so much. The highest amount of weight that spring rods can handle is 10, maybe 15 pounds. It will greatly depend on what you are using it for and the material of what is on it. Spring rods are also the cheapest of the four options.
Aluminum Tension Rod
When people talk about tension rods, this is usually the one they are talking about. An aluminum tension rod is very common in a lot of homes. It also why the standard answer for how much weight can a tension rod hold is 20 pounds. An aluminum rod can hold up to 20 pounds, making it fairly versatile.
With these tension rods, you won’t have to worry about it falling because of too much stuff on it nearly as much as you would with a spring rod. They are often the standard in many rentals because of the price and ease of use.
Heavy-Duty Aluminum Tension Rod
A heavy-duty aluminum tension rod can hold about 30 pounds. Most of them have a non-slip tension lock, which means they are even less likely to fall than the two previous tension rods are.
Since they can hold so much weight, and because of the non-slip tension lock, you hardly have to worry about them falling because of the amount of weight on them. This also means that they can be used for more things than the two previous types of tension rods.
Steel Tension Rod
Steel tension rods hold the most amount of weight. Most of them can hold around 45 pounds. This means they can be used for just about anything. They are extremely versatile with what you can put on them. You also will rarely have to worry about them falling because of the amount of weight that steel tension rods can handle.
However, because of how much weight they can handle and the various uses they have, steel tension rods are the most expensive of the four options. But if you really don’t want to have any worry about what you put on it, this is the best choice for you.
What can a tension rod hold?
Tension rods can be used for more than just holding up curtains, though that is what most people think to use them for. They can also be used for clothes. They can hold things that are supposed to be air-dried, they can hold freshly ironed clothes so they don’t get wrinkled, they can even hold clothing in closets. If it is for a closet, it’s important to know if it is for a child or an adult’s closet. Children’s clothing weighs less than adult clothing, so you may not need a tension rod that can support 30 pounds.
Spring rods are great options for shower curtains or room dividers, possibly even light decorative curtains, depending on the material. For most other curtains, an aluminum tension rod is the standard option which is why it is in most homes. It’s also a good option for hanging freshly ironed clothing. A heavy-duty aluminum rod is great for heavier curtains and a great option for closets. The steel tension rods can be used for pretty anything. A more creative use for any type of tension rod is to use them to make a hanging herb garden. Put the rod in front of a window, hang pots from it, and you have a herb garden. For even more uses for tension rods, check out this blog.
Where can I put the tension rod?
Tension rods can be put anywhere where there are two surfaces for it to be between. One of the most obvious places to put them is between two windowsills for curtains. You will have to put them on the rod for most curtains before securing them in the windowsill. However, this will depend on the curtain because some do clip on as well. You can also put it in the bathroom to hang your shower curtain from, depending on the type of shower you have. If it is sunken into the wall, you should be able to use a tension rod. Tension rods can also be put in laundry rooms to hang wet clothing that is supposed to be air-dried, or even to hang freshly ironed clothing on. Another great way to use them is by putting them in closets. This way they will add extra storage for all of your clothes. If you have a child who likes to dress up, this is a great way to organize all dress-up clothes.
Why doesn’t the tension rod fit?
Is the tension rod not reaching the other surface? Can it still be extended even after you’ve secured it? Either way, it just means that you got the wrong size. How much weight the tension rod holds is super important because you don’t want it to fall by putting too much onto it. But it’s also important to consider the length of the tension rod. To be able to determine the length you need, you first need to know where you are going to put it. Then you use a measuring tape to measure the distance between the two surfaces you are going to use to secure the rod. Tension rods come in various lengths and can be extended only a certain amount depending on the rod. The longest rod is 84 inches long when fully extended. But since each rod ranges in lengths, if it seems like it can still be extended after you’ve secured it, it’s nothing to worry about.
