Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - "L" Shaped Shower Curtain?

Ok, so our new house has a big a** window in the bathroom that in essense would be the back wall of the shower/tub stall.

Now I plan on putting up faux wood blinds since over window but I still want a shower curtiain to cover that end so window area doesn't get wet.

So I have priced some "L" shaped shower curtain rods but man are they expensive. So I walked around the Home Depot last night scoping out some 1/2" pipe, whether it be plumbing or conduit it didn't matter I was checking it all out. I think in theory it's feasible to make my own "L" shaped rod that wouldn't look to bad and wouldn't cost much.

My problem is supporting it. I have an idea to attach flanges to ceiling and then use either curved pipes or elbow to make turns that way ceiling supports and and shower curtain can move freely back and forth without catching on anything.

Is this a pie in the sky idea? Any comments or suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

I am thinking about EMT conduit (electric metallic tubing). In the right size, it could be bent to your needs. It is strong enough. Supporting it at both ends may be the challenge. I recall that it comes in 1 inch - 2 inch diameter, on the large side. It also comes in smaller sizes.

It could be bent to come down from the ceiling on the short run, go across the end of the tub, then bend toward the head of the tub for the long run. A flange on the ceiling and one for the wall at the shower head end might do it. It could be in one piece.

We have a window in our bath situated in the wall with the tub - shower. We took a shower curtain for windows and hung it to cover the window and frame.

Hope this helps.

chfite:

I never considered one whole run, but a length of 1/2 by 10' conduit doesn't cost much and it would be seamless for opening and closing shower curtain action.

Hmmm....only problem is I don't want to spend money on one of those bending tools. So how would I make the necessary bends from ceiling down, to curve for "L"?

And do you agree one flange on ceiling in back to one flange on wall in front would be enough support or would curving front section up for ceiling connection be more support?

Thanks for your insight, I love getting replies and expanding and talking through my ideas.

Anyone else with an idea?

I am not an engineer, and was wondering how much support the head end would need versus the need to have the curtain run to the wall to keep the water in the tub. I think that curving to the ceiling at both ends would greatly improve the strength of the run. I would be inclined to use 1 inch tubing for strength. As far as bending it is concerned, you might be able to have it bent for you at an electrical contractor's shop. They have the tools and experience. Probably wouldn't cost too much. Might help to buy the conduit from them as well.

Hope this helps.

chfite:

Thanks for your response, I am gonna try and look into your suggestion into buying pipe and having them cut and bend to my spec's and get flanges from them also. Would I just look under electricians to find and electrical contractor's shop?

Excellent suggestions and I agree with you on the 1".

It's too bad no one else had any suggestions. I know I am not the only person with a window in the shower and I was hoping for my ideas but I think this one so far is a good one.

Thanks

Many times suggestions are like the weather, sometimes you get a lot, sometimes nothing. I imagine that with everyone getting back into the groove of school starting and having a hurricane, time to visit the forum is in short supply.

I would look in the yellow pages under electricians and electrical contractors.

Good luck with your project.