How do I get a shower curtain rod that will last?

March 27, 2016 5:43 PM

I have a history of owning metal shower curtain rods that rust away before my eyes, bit by bit. It's depressing. I can't help but think that as a civilization, we can do better--that we have done better. Someone out there is enjoying their metal shower curtain rod. Who are these people, and how can I get a metal shower curtain rod like theirs?

Here's what I want:

1. A metal shower curtain rod. No plastic, please.

2. To attach the rod permanently to my walls. That means I will need appropriate rust-proof wall flanges as well.

3. A non-adjustable bar. Just one smooth bar from wall to wall--very simple. I expect I will have to trim the bar to get an exact fit, and that's fine.

3a. Not a tension spring bar. These always pull paint from my walls and are just not what I'm looking for.

4. To have it "look nice", which in this context means smooth and simple. Not ornate.

All avenues and possible solutions are invited, particularly if you own something and it's been totally working for you for the past ten years or whatever.

Recommendations for specific manufacturers of shower curtain rods are welcome. Also welcome are specific metals or particular technologies that will stand up to the demanding semi-aquatic environment of my bathroom. If I have to, I'll even go to the hardware store and build something myself, so if that's the right answer, then tell me how I should do it, I pray you. My bathroom is in your hands.

posted by springo to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

You want an aluminum rod. Aluminum doesn't rust.
posted by gregr at 5:53 PM on March 27, 2016 [4 favorites]

When we don't want metal to rust in the Navy, we paint it.
posted by ctmf at 6:34 PM on March 27, 2016 [5 favorites]

Stainless steel shower rods on Amazon.
posted by jon1270 at 6:35 PM on March 27, 2016

I've had this curved stainless shower curtain rod installed for almost ten years with no signs of corrosion.
posted by exogenous at 6:50 PM on March 27, 2016 [1 favorite]

(I live with springo) - Does stainless steel actually not rust in the form of a shower curtain rod? I think I may have heard otherwise, but it's only a vague memory.
posted by amtho at 7:11 PM on March 27, 2016

I bought a metal one-piece rod at Home Depot, one of the more basic models (they had a huge rack of them, from basic to elaborate). You cut the rod to fit, screw the end pieces to the walls, and that is all. It has not rusted and has been in daily shower use for years.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:45 PM on March 27, 2016

Good quality stainless steel won't rust in this application.
posted by ssg at 8:47 PM on March 27, 2016 [1 favorite]

Stainless "stains less" than plain steel, it will still rust. I went through a similar decision process 15 years ago and my aluminum rod is still going strong. Pics available.
posted by rhizome at 10:47 PM on March 27, 2016

Dip Flash: Our current rod was purchased the same way, and it _has_ rusted.
posted by amtho at 4:01 AM on March 28, 2016