112-5BN-A Curved Shower Rod Adjustable 42" To 62", Brushed Nickel

Preferred Bath Accessories 112-5BN-A Curved Shower Rod Brushed Nickle Adjustable 57" To 62",, Right away, I want to state that this review is for the Preferred Bath Accessories 112-5BN-A Curved Shower Rod Brushed Nickel Adjustable 57 – 62”, not the Preferred Bath Accessories 112-BN, which is not adjustable. It is not clear in the pictures for either item how they differ … that is, how the 112-5BN-A is adjustable. Also, here are some reference measurements for how I have it mounted … a) the width of the wall opening that the rod spans is 58-5/8”, b) the width of the shower insert is 55”, c) the top of the shower rod to the floor is 79-7/8”; d) the top of the shower rod to the lip of the shower insert is 73-1/2”, e) the top of the shower rod to the inside floor of the insert is 76-1/8”, f) the distance between the top of the shower rod and the shower curtain is 2-1/2”, g) the distance from the face of the shower insert to the front of the bracket is 2-1/2”, h) the distance between the top of the shower insert and the bottom of the mounting bracket is 1”. The install was straight forward and very easy; a competent DIY’er should be able to complete the job in less than an hour. I laid out and drilled the holes for the brackets; mounted the brackets; set-screwed a rod receiver to the fixed end; inserted the adjustable end into the other rod receiver; set the tabs on the rod receivers into the slots in the brackets; then set-screwed the adjustable end tight. All done! You can see a few things in the pictures … the brackets and rod receivers are left-right agnostic; the rod receiver that holds the rod stub has a plastic sleeve, as does the end of the shower rod that receives the same; the rod stub and shower rod are also left-right agnostic, they can be flipped either way; the set screw that holds the stub end screws in much further than the screw that holds the rod end. Commenting about the difference between the 112-5BN-A and 112-5BN … you’ll notice that there is about 1-1/4” play in how far the rod end can be pushed into the rod receiver, which give a clue as to how to mount the standard rod. So, for those purchasing the standard rod that needs to be cut down, the rod should be initially cut about 2-1/2” inches shorter than the distance between the two walls. It may end up at 3” shorter, but the objective will be to get it just short enough to slide one end all the way into one of the rod receivers and clear the end of the opposite receiver. This way the rod can be slid back out, into the second receiver, leaving enough length for the set screws to grab. I was originally going to get the standard rod, but the back-order time was too long. Highly recommended.

The curtain rod is very sturdy and good looking. It would have been very easy to install in sheet rock. I install mine in a porcelain tile wall and it made it a little more of a challenge. Keep your mounting surface in mind so you are prepared. Of course that is not a negative reflection on this excellent product but simply a heads up.

My second bathroom only has a tiny shower, so adding a few extra inches of shoulder space makes a big difference. The 112-555-A Curved Shower Rod description says it fits 42" to 62" showers, but it fit in my little 40" shower with room to spare. The anemic instructions provide no sketches or photos, so I'm including some mounting tips: 1. IMPORTANT: since you are almost certainly mounting on tile, granite or similar, buy a 1/8" masonry drill bit (under $10) at Amazon or any hardware store.) DON'T use a standard drill bit--you'll ruin the bit and possibly the project. A masonry bit grinds through tile, granite or concrete like butter. While at the hardware store, pick up a tiny tube of silicone to fill any holes left by the old shower rod. 2. Instructions say mark the mounting positions with a pencil. Huh? On tile? Use a Sharpie. 3. Tap a little divot in the tile, etc. with the point of a nail or awl before drilling so the bit doesn't skitter out of position. 4. DON'T be like me. The bag contains a tiny Allen screw about the size of a grain of rice. I immediately lost it and had to buy another. No biggie, but grrrrrrrr. 5. DON'T buy those pricey special shower curtain hangers; standard curtain hangers work just fine. That's it! This surprisingly rugged curved shower bar looks great, provides extra space and took about 15 minutes to mount. Five stars!

Boy did it take some figuring out installing this bad boy...ps the end hooks swivel inside the bracket and one side has to be hooked and swiveled into position to reach the other bracket. Also didn't tell you the size of the screws for the right drill bit we had to drill into tile which was a special type of drill bit and = more trips to the store lol. Other than that the rod itself is beautiful super sturdy and great quality. I love how it turned out

We searched high and low for a curtain rod to match our Delta rubbed bronze bathroom set, since Delta apparently doesn't make one. This rod matches PERFECTLY and is built very well (I took a picture of the installed rod next to the Delta Ely robe/towel hook). I wanted a rod that was wall mounted as opposed to tension mounted, since the tension mounts always seem to move around. The mounting for this rod is ingenious, and super sturdy. I used the suggested curtain rod hooks, though I wish they were just a little more beefy. They seem to work just fine though. Time will tell for the both the rod and the hooks, but for now we couldn't be more pleased.

A hookless curtain easily glides across the rod, when pulling the curtain closed. However, it does get stuck on the transitional bump, where the rod extension is inserted, when the curtain is pulled open. There’s a simple solution. Place your flat hand against the curtain ring on the end, and push it along the rod, rather than tugging on the skirt of the curtain. The curtain will glide quickly over the bump and open with one swoop of your hand. I also polish the rod with Gel-Gloss, which I use on the Cultured Marble, Corian sink, and chrome fixtures (not on natural stone). The shower walls are 52 inches apart, and the rod brackets were placed 3 inches farther than the outside wall of the tub. There is ample room inside the shower now. And the rod is very stylish. A contractor installed it on the cultured marble wall, with no problem. Update: It's been three years since this rod was installed. It's hasn't rusted, despite being exposed to an ocean (1 mile away) breeze from an always-opened window. The curtain does encroach on the small space between the toilet and tub, so after the curtain dries, I open the curtain and place the hem inside the tub. Visitors have noticed, and complimented on, the sleek curved rod.

Gives so much more room to our small shower. If curtain closed it does come out a little. Installed easily.

Able to install rod quickly and adjust to proper length without having to cut bar. There is a plastic transition piece that holds the bar to proper length, the design of which allows a (pretty) smooth transition of shower curtain hooks over it. Overall, I'm pleased with the purchase and its looks - would recommend to others.