If you’ve just redecorated your bathroom, want to enhance your existing bathroom by updating your accessories without the expense of a new bathroom suite or are completely renovating your bathroom, you may be looking to replace your old shower curtain rail, or fit a new rail if you didn’t have one previously. There are a number of different types of shower curtain rails in different colours and finishes, but one of the most attractive types is a chrome shower curtain rail. They can be a very attractive addition to any bathroom, especially if you have silver taps and bathroom accessories, however the big drawback with chrome shower curtain rails, both the smaller round shower curtain rails, but even moreso with the larger oval rails, is the cost. Chrome rails are very expensive, with the cheapest options around �100-�150, but the majority are between �250 and �400 – not the sort of money most people would want to pay out for something to hang a shower curtain from. All is not lost however if you have set your heart on a chrome shower curtain rail.

There is a cheaper option available to you as long as you’re happy to make two compromises; A DIY chrome shower curtain rail can be put together for �50 and only takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to put together and screw into the ceiling. The compromises you will need to make in order to benefit from the saving are the time and effort of making the rail yourself, and that you will be limited to a rounded rectangle rather than an oval for the shape of your shower curtain rail, but when you could be saving yourself �350, this doesn’t seem like too bad a compromise! Taking measurements for your shower curtain rail The first step is to take measurements so you know how much chrome rail you will require. Chrome rails come in a number of lengths, usually 4ft, 6ft and 8ft. Depending on the length and width of your bath, you may be able to buy longer lengths of rail and cut them into two pieces, one to the length of your bath and one for the width. If your bath is too long however, you can buy smaller lengths and just trim them to size with a hacksaw once you get them home.

You need to measure along the length of the bath and the width of the bath, but bear in mind with your measurements that you won’t go right up to the wall in each case because of the pieces joining together to make the rounded rectangle when assembled, and you will need space for the curtain to hang and curtain hooks to travel freely without catching or rubbing against the wall. ikea curtain rod connectorYou may want to make the completed rail slightly smaller than your bath so that the curtain hangs in the bath when closed, but that is down to your personal preference.3dd curtains Purchasing the shower rail componentspjb curtains Most DIY stores such as Wickes, B&Q and Homebase should have the various parts you will need to create your bespoke shower rail. 35mm curtain rings walnut

lengths of chrome rail – usually found as clothes rails, but are suitable for making towel rails and shower curtains too – choose the most practical lengths to save you money; curtains kapitichoosing two 8ft pieces and cutting them to create two pieces will be cheaper than purchasing two 6ft lengths and two 4ft lengths and cutting them all to sizeisinglass curtains brackets to mount the rail to the ceiling or wall – different finishes and different shaped screwplates are usually available but you will need brackets that have a hole running through the middle that the rail will then be slotted through and supported byblackout pencil pleat curtains australia elbow joints – these are usually available in chrome, gold or white to match the rail you’ve chosen and slot into the chrome rail to create a curved bend – unless you just want a ‘U’ shaped shower curtain rail that screws into the wall, you will need four of these

a hacksaw with a blade suitable for sawing through thin metal tubing or pipe sandpaper to provide a smooth edge after sawing the rail Making your chrome shower curtain rail Once you have purchased the parts you need to make your shower curtain rail, you need to clear a workspace and you can begin building your rail. Measure the chrome rail and mark off where the pipe needs to be cut. Using the hacksaw, cut the pipe at the correct length, ensuring a neat straight edge, especially if you are using a longer length of chrome rail to create two lengths of the curtain rail. Once all the pieces are cut, use sandpaper to smooth any burrs along the edges of the piping and to ensure a flat and level edge which the elbow joints will sit against. If you are mounting the rail to the ceiling, it is best to fix the rail into studs or joists running across the ceiling for added support. If the rail will be attached to the wall along the length of the rail, it is wise to use at least one further support in the ceiling to prevent the rail dropping or putting unnecessary pressure on the two wall brackets.

This will help prevent the rail pulling out of the wall. Slide the mounting bracket supports along the pieces of chrome rail where they will rest when fixed to the wall or ceiling and then fit the elbow joints into the chrome rail to complete the rounded rectangular rail. Ensuring that the rail is positioned level and equidistant from each side of the bath and the wall (an extra pair of hands may be useful at this point), screw the support into the wall or ceiling on one side, ensuring you use screws that are suitable to hold the weight of the rail, and the curtain once hung (bearing in mind a wet curtain will weigh more and exert more pressure as a result). Screw the opposite fixing into the wall or ceiling to hold the rail level, ensuring it is positioned centrally along the chrome pipe for an even and professional look to your rail. Then fix the remaining supports to the ceiling or wall. When you are confident that your rail is secure, attach your curtain using shower curtain hooks and your DIY chrome shower curtain rail is complete.