Standard shower curtain size (plus measuring tips)
Nothing makes a bathroom look like it has a cool shower curtain. Whether you want a quirky, traditional shower curtain or a shower curtain that reminds you of the beaches of Maui is up to you. .Although most of us who own showers need a curtain, the truth is that we often don't know the right size for the curtain. So what's the problem here? Is there even a standard shower curtain size?
Undoubtedly, there is a standard shower curtain size. It is 72 inches by 72 inches. However, it is also possible to see “standard” shower curtain sizes in 70 inches by 70 inches, as well as in 72 inches by 70 inches. They are not the industry standard, but they are quite common.
If you have a shower curtain that you need to buy, knowing how to size it can help you achieve better results in your bathroom. It's a good idea to know what to expect.
What is the size of a standard shower curtain?
A standard shower curtain should span the width of a tub and leave you with some slack to make sure water doesn't spray all over the place. A typical tub is 60 inches long. The standard extra amount on a curtain would be 12 inches. This leads to the 72 square inch curtain measurement that most people use. If you have a shower stall, the width is halved to 36 inches instead.
Standard Shower Curtain SizeStandard Shower Curtain SizeExtra Tall Shower Curtain SizeExtra Wide Shower Curtain SizeFloor to Ceiling Shower Curtain SizeMost Common Sizes72" x 72"70″ x 72″
70″ x 70″
36″ x 72″72″ x 84″82″ x 74″72″ x 96″Note: You should be aware that most people will have a 72 square inch shower curtain, but a 70 by 72 inch curtain liner. This keeps the liner slightly smaller and gives your shower curtain a chance to hang down. outside. We will come back to this later!
What type of shower curtain should you use?
Obviously, there are more than "standard" curtain sizes for your shower. There are tall, wide, and floor-to-ceiling ones too. Each shower curtain is going to be used for its own unique needs. Here's where each curtain tends to do the best:
Standard shower curtains are designed to work with showers located in a tub alcove. These are the most common bathroom types on the market. Tall shower curtains are for vaulted ceilings and unusually tall rooms. They also work well for bathrooms that have custom shower rods. Shower curtain enclosures are ways to be used for standing showers. They are perfect for "closet" style showers. Extra-wide shower curtains are suitable for people who want their shower curtain to wrap around the tub. This often gives the tub a European look. It's also great for added privacy and stand-alone tubs. Floor to ceiling shower curtains look spectacular and are meant for very high ceilings. You can also use them in a standard bathroom if you place the shower curtain rod high in the ceilings.Do you need a special shower curtain for a particular type of shower curtain?
It depends. Most shower curtains will work with any curtain rod you want. It's not like the rings on the curtain are going to be too small. Curtain rod measurements are pretty standard in this which is about the circumference of the rod part itself. However, that's not to say things are going to be easy. It depends on your bathroom layout.
If you have an extra-wide shower curtain, you may want to get a curtain rod that is significantly longer than the standard 60 inches. Most extra-wide shower curtains are used with "ring" shower rods. that surround the tub on at least two sides. These are usually built into the walls of your bathroom. If you have a simple shower stall, the shower curtain rod should be about the width of the door. Most shower stall rods are telescopic, so they are adjustable. If in doubt, get a telescopic shower curtain rod. It's just easier that way and you can adjust the size to suit your needs.
How to hang your shower curtain?
Now that we've gone over the size of the shower curtain, it's important to think about hanging it. You obviously have to hang it from the rod. However, figuring out how high to put that rod can be tricky. equations that can help you get the most out of your hanging via maximum and minimum height.
Shower Curtain Hanging Height = (Shower Curtain Length + Shower Curtain Hook Height + Tub Height) - Shower Curtain Liner Overlap
You can choose to have a lot of overlap or a little. The key is to make sure the shower curtain touches the tub.
How to know the bathtub overlap you have?
It's actually very easy to measure. The tub overlap can be found by measuring the height of the tub. Then you subtract how much you want to have the shower curtain drop down. Most people want the curtain to hang about five inches from the edge of the tub.
For example, if you have a tub height of 14 inches, the overlap would be between 13.5 and 0.5 inches. This would make the five inch overlap a perfect match.
Is there an ideal shower curtain overlap measurement?
Most people have their own preferences here, although an overhang of around five to seven inches is considered ideal. Not sure where your curtains should fall? The tips below will help.
You should have at least a half inch of overlap, if not more. Having the curtain brush against your tub might look cute, but it's not good for your bathroom. If that happens, you'll end up with water from your showers that splashes onto the floor. This defeats the purpose of a shower curtain. Having a four to six inch overlap is usually the most aesthetically pleasing for standard bathrooms, which is why it's one of the most popular choices. If you have a floor-to-ceiling shower curtain, try to hang it as close to the floor as possible. This will give you the gorgeous sweeping curtain look you want.Do the shower curtains go inside or outside the tub?
It depends on your curtain configuration. If you have a single shower curtain without a liner, then the curtain is supposed to go inside the tub at all times. This prevents water from dripping onto your bathroom floor. Since that's what shower curtains were always meant to do, it's kind of mandatory to keep that in mind.
In an ideal setting, however, the shower curtain liner will stay inside the tub, while the curtain itself will stay outside. Liners are generally more waterproof than curtains. Although curtains can operate on their own, this will put your curtains at risk for mildew.
How much weight can shower curtains hold?
Honestly, it depends on the type of curtain as well as the method of installation. Metal rods that are drilled into the walls are the safest and can usually support well over 40 pounds. However, these are not the most common that you will see, especially when it comes to apartment rentals.
The truth is that most shower curtain rods are either tension rods or simply hung using a suction. fall. If you have a suction rod, you need to be careful with your curtains. These rarely hold more than five to 10 pounds.
Our suggestion here? Don't hang towels on your curtain rods and check what your curtain rods can handle before you start using them for storage.
related questions
Will the tie rods damage my walls?There's no mincing words here. It's possible for tension rods to damage walls, including ripping paint or even punching a hole in thinner types of drywall. If you want to use a tension rod for hanging a curtain, be sure to use it on tile if you can. Tiles and tension rods work much better together.
If you need to install a curtain in your bathroom on regular drywall, we strongly suggest that you bolt it to a wall stud. This is the best way to avoid a sudden collapse of a shower curtain rod.
Is a fabric or plastic shower curtain better?Both fabric (polyester or waterproof vinyl) and plastic shower curtains have their advantages, and that's not something we can ignore. Both are also the same price, unless you have a very unique shower curtain. So both are great choices and you shouldn't feel bad for choosing one over the other.
There is one major benefit you should know about when it comes to fabric. The only reason people tend to favor fabric over plastic is that fabric shower curtains are machine washable. you don't have to throw them away or worry about the curtains getting mildew that won't die.
What types of shower curtains do hotels use?If you want to have that fresh, clean shower curtain you see in hotel rooms, then there are two materials you should consider purchasing. The majority of hotels that have shower curtains choose to purchase polyester or vinyl. These have a very pleasant feel to the touch and also improve the cleaning process by being machine washable and easy to hang.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, specializing in interior design and general home advice. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and investing. real estate.
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