How to Make a Shower Curtain Rod From Galvanized Steel

Steel appliances and hardware are increasingly popular for indoor home use. Once considered strictly utilitarian, stainless and galvanized steel pipes, fittings, lighting and pulls have replaced many of their shinier brass and chrome counterparts. Home owners who favor an industrial-inspired decor appreciate the practicality and look of rust-resistant galvanized steel. Making and installing a custom galvanized shower rod is a simple project that can be completed in less than an hour. The pipe is supported by two steel flanges that are screwed to opposite walls of the shower. The flanges are inexpensive and available at most hardware and home-improvement stores.

Line level and string
Tape
Galvanized steel pipe, 3/4-inch to 1 inch diameter
Measuring tape
Hack saw or pipe cutter
2 galvanized steel flanges, concave, each with three or four screw holes
Drill with drilling and driving bits
Winged wall anchors with screws (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Mark the position on one wall where you intend to install one end of the shower curtain rod. Tape one end of a length of string onto the wall at the level of the mark. Extend the string to the opposite wall and tape it to the wall in the approximate position of the opposite end of the shower rod. Tape it in place. Hang a line level on the string. Raise or lower one end of the string as you hold it taut. When the string is level, mark it's position on the wall. Remove the tape and string.
- 2
  Measure from the back shower wall to the marks indicating the positions of the ends of the shower rod. Adjust the positions of the marks, as needed, so the ends of the rod will be installed the same distance from the adjacent wall. Once the positions have been finalized and marked, measure the distance between the marks. Subtract 1/4 inch from this dimension to calculate the length of the galvanized pipe needed for your shower rod.
- 3
  
  Heavy-duty flanges are often used to secure railings.
  
  Position one flange on the wall with its center hole aligned to the mark on the wall. Pass the tip of a pencil through each screw hole in the flange to mark their positions on the wall. Remove the flange. Follow the same process to mark the screw hole positions of the flange on the opposite wall. Drill a pilot hole through each screw-hole mark. At least two screws should attach each flange to a framing stud or winged wall anchor. Wherever necessary, install wall anchors in the pilot holes for secure installation.
- 4
  Position one flange on the wall, aligning its screw holes to the pilot holes or wall anchors. Secure the flange to the wall, using a drill and driving bit.
- 5
  Measure and mark the pipe to the calculated dimension. Trim the pipe to length, using a hack saw or a pipe cutter. Slide the second flange onto the pipe so the convex side of the flange faces the middle of the pipe. Insert one end of the pipe into the installed flange. Position the other end of the pipe on the opposite wall, aligned to the mark.
- 6
  Slide the unattached flange until it meets the wall. Align the screw holes in the flange to the pilot holes or wall anchors that were previously drilled or installed. Screw the flange to the wall.

Do-It-Yourself Twin Canopy Beds

How to Redo a Melamine Cabinet

Home Decor