There are three main styles frequently used for curtain rods: wood, metal and wrought iron. Each style features its own unique options, diameters and profile design. Rods and poles are produced in standard widths that conform to the most common window sizes. Typically, each collection offers rods in four, six, eight and twelve foot sections. If you window doesn't exactly match up with one of these sizes, it's easy to extend or reduce the size of any curtain rod by using joiners or splices or trimming the rod to size on site.
Wood curtain rods offer the widest selection of styles and are usually the easiest to install. The most common profile designs include smooth, fluted or twisted. You can find rods in diameters from one and three-eighths up to three inches. Joining wood rods together to cover wide spans is very easy using wood pole joiner screws.
Metal drapery poles are typically considered to be more modern or contemporary. Usually available in smaller diameters than their wood counterparts, their sleek designs look great on standard size windows. Cutting metal pole to size is a little more difficult and special tools may be required.
Wrought Iron drapery rods can be made from hollow-core extruded metal painted to look like wrought iron, or solid steel or iron rods. Hollow-core rods are a great option because they provide the same look as solid poles without the extreme weight. And, they're really easy to resize.