We installed one last week - we love it. I have just a fabric liner hanging on it now (haven't found a pretty outer curtain that we agree on yet). It's very strong; I can't imagine a curtain pulling it down. You really do feel the extra elbow room.

Unless I had an extra-wide tub, I wouldn't even consider a straight shower curtain. We have a curved rod on the standard cheapie 30" wide Kohler Villager, and it actually doesn't feel claustrophobic. No icky curtain clinging to your elbow when you wash your hair. I think it makes a HUGE difference. I bought mine from Signature Hardware online for $127, including new shower curtain hooks, and worth every penny. Mine was oil rubbed bronze; chrome would be cheaper. We mounted it so that the ends were several inches inside the edge of the tub (the center bowed out several inches outside from the edge of the tub), and that also helps keep the water from splashing out onto the floor.

Sounds like it is a good idea to have...
astredt...is this the one that you got from signature? I see it comes in ORB which I also need.
Thank you

Here is a link that might be useful: signature curved rod

We also bought a curved rod for my boys' bath (which is also used by my DH). They all love it and I even love how it looks from the outside. It actually gives some interest to the blah shower. It's heavy duty and I bought it a Lowes (or HD) for around $40.

I bought ours at Bed Bath & Beyond -- I think it was $40, and of course I had a 20% coupon. I think they have ORB. It has separate brackets that screw into the tile. I splurged on fancy polished nickel hooks from Signature Hardware. I showered in there this morning, and the extra room is really nice.

Just installed a 72" inch chrome curved shower bar over our new 72" tub. Love it. Makes a significant difference. Purchased from Signature Hardware for $60.52 including S/H. Can't think of any good reason not to get one.

Yes, that's the one that I got. I like it, and also like the shower rings with the little rollers. I think it will help prevent the rod from getting scratched.

After hearing all you and your positive thoughts about the curved rod, I have decided to stay with it. The one I bought is a Moen in ORB and also ORB hooks with the little balls. The hooks should be arriving tomorrow with my grab bar order from Grab bar specialists. The rod I purchased at Home Expo. We have one about 2 miles from home.
I will let you know how I like it!

The curved shower rod is a stroke of genius. But we won't have a tub in an alcove with one (relatively) straight shower rod -- we're renovating to include a 1920's corner tub, with one of those L-shaped bars above it.

Is there a comparable way to get a touch of extra elbow room in this situation? We could size the L to be a little BIGGER than the tub dimensions and then make sure the curtain stays inside the tub, but that feels as though it would be asking for trouble.

Funny, I just picked up two Crescent Rod curved bars at BB&B - 39.99 minus a 20% off coupon on each. Then I come here looking for threads on them and there's one on the first page! Glad to see everyone agrees on the benefits. I was surprised how much the little roller hooks go for tho - $19 for chrome, $11 for any other finish. Then I found another style for $12 and went with that. I'll probably get around to installing next weekend.

- D

What confuses me alittle bit is the photo that I saw on placement of the curved rod...The photo I have shows the curve of the rod and the edges in a few inches on a squarish type tub...
Is this how you all are placing your rods? I am just wondering how the outside decorative curtain can stay outside the tub then the curtain is closed?
Any help would be appreciated.
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Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1440434}}

I have the two ends of the curved rod mounted 3 1/2 " inside of the outer edge of the tub. The center of the curved rod is 3 1/2" outside the outer edge of the tub. I think that gives a few more inches of elbow room than what you have sketched above. The outside decorative curtain stays outside the tub just fine.

This may be a dumb question, but . . . I've always had a vinyl type liner that stayed inside the tub with the decorative liner on the outside of the tub. With the curved shower rod, do you use a liner and a curtain? And if the curtain is on the outside of the tub, does the water splash out onto the floor? I want a curved rod, but I still do not get how it will work. Please help! Thanks.

Yes, I have a plastic/vinyl liner that stays inside the tub and a pretty cloth shower curtain that stays outside the tub. A curved shower rod actually prevents the water from splashing out better than a straight one does because with a curved rod the liner follows the inside curve of the tub so the water doesn't escape out of the corner like it would with a straight liner. I have my edges of my curved rods 3 1/2 inches inside the outer edge of the tub.

Thank you, I'm going to try one !

My curved 72" rod is mounted centered over the tub edge. It's mounted at a height that allows both a 72 or 78 inch long curtain to stay inside the tub. Currently using a 94.5 x 78 polyester curtain purchased from Vita Futura without a liner. It looks great.

Here is a link that might be useful: oversized shower curtains

My daughter has the curved rod in her bath-since we are having bath remodel I had to use her shower last night-I really like that curve-It gave so much room-I was surprised. I think I will purchase one. Is there anyway to install besides drilling into tile

First the good part...I decided to go with curved rod...thank you all...it was installed this morning and I was able to try it out and love it. It really does give so much more room.
Now the bad part, while they were drilling the hole for the support the tile cracked. They left it up for the week-end, as I am having family over for Mothers day and then on Mon. will take it down and replace the tile.
Two steps forward and one step back! Luckily our GC is very, very good about fixing things that get damaged. Thank God for that!
I just noticed Cassies question above...good question but I do not know the answer. Good luck if drilling into the tile! Mine is porcelian if that makes any difference.

Follow-up on above post...when the shower bar was taken down it was found not to have been the drilling that caused the tile to crack, but the tightening of the screws in the plactic anchors.
The tile has been replaced and re-grouted and the new bar installed.
I am very happy with the curved shower bar!

what is everyone's thoughts on using a curved shower curtain rod on a shower unit instead of a tub? Is the shower curtain more apt to fall out and cause an outpouring of water?

If I was going to try this, Jai03 I would make sure that the shower has a good curb (not curbless) and I would also think of sewing lead weights into the bottom to help hold it. I have a curbless shower and my straight curtain billows in a bit. With a 37" + wide shower, I still have plenty of room, though.

Our contractor just installed a curved shower rod on in our main bathroom and I'm looking forward to seeing how it works - it's our first time with one in our home (have seen them in hotels).

Finishing bathroom remodel. Removed ugly big box tub/shower insert for a nice soaker tub with tiled surround. Going curved Moen rod which listed as 'best' on a few sites...... but bath is small. Considering a longer shower curtain so the curved bar is not intrusive for taller people just using the toilet. Others have similar experience? How long did you go on the curtain? Standard is 72 in but seeing options 90 in +