| Closet tubing: what you can expect to find | | | | out. Closed flanges completely encircle the end of the |
| Profiles and sizes | | | | mounted closet rod and do not allow removal without |
| Closet tubing comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, | | | | unscrewing the flange from the wall. 32mm pinned |
| materials, and colors. The most common shapes, or | | | | flanges are made to work with 32mm systems or |
| profiles, are round and oval. Round closet rod is sold | | | | European Closet systems. These are closet systems |
| in 1-1/16 inch diameter tube and 1-5/16 diameter tube. | | | | that have pre-drilled holes spaced at 32 millimeters |
| It can be purchased in steel, stainless steel, and | | | | running up and down the closet side panels. While |
| aluminum. | | | | 32mm flanges can also be screwed in place, this isn't |
| Round closet rod generally carries more weight due | | | | necessary and foregoing screws allows adjustment |
| to the shape of the tube and usually has a thicker | | | | of the closet rod up or down if you wish. 32mm |
| wall. While either size is suitable for a closet, for | | | | flanges are available for round and oval tubing in open |
| maximum weight bearing capacity use 1-5/16 | | | | and closed variations. |
| diameter rod. | | | | Accounting for mounting flange space |
| Oval tube isn't truly oval in shape but more of an | | | | Since the mounting flange may have a back-plate, |
| oblong rounded shape with two flat sides. It normally | | | | the flange you use will determine the cut length of |
| measures 15 x 30 mm or approximately 1-1/8 x 1-1/4 | | | | the rod. For instance, if the wall to wall measurement |
| inches. Oval tube is manufactured in steel or | | | | is 60 inches and you are using two open flanges you'll |
| aluminum. | | | | need to subtract ¼ inch from the total length |
| Materials | | | | of the rod. Each open flange has a 1/8 inch back |
| Metal closet rod is available in Steel, Stainless Steel, | | | | plate. 1/8 + 1/8 = ¼ inch of space that will |
| and Aluminum. Steel is typically sold with a Polished | | | | occupy the total length of 60 inches. Some closed |
| Chrome finish; this is the most common closet rod | | | | flanges have an opening all the way through so that |
| material and finish. Its advantages are strength and | | | | your closet rod will actually touch the wall. In this |
| durability at a lower price. Stainless Steel is typically | | | | instance the rod itself could actually be 60 inches long. |
| sold with a satin or brushed finish. It offers the | | | | Be sure to find out what space your mounting |
| strength and durability of steel with the added | | | | flanges will take up and factor that into the total |
| advantage of rust and corrosion resistance. Stainless | | | | length of the application. Each flange has a cuff, the |
| steel is ideal for humid and sea-side applications. | | | | part that encloses and supports the end of the tube. |
| Aluminum is sold in a variety of anodized finishes. | | | | The cuff will be between ½ inch and 1 inch |
| Anodizing is a process in which electricity is used to | | | | deep. Keeping in mind the cuff depth you may want |
| produce a hard and durable surface. Aluminum tubing | | | | to cut the closet rod just slightly shorter to give |
| is much lighter in weight but with a similar load bearing | | | | yourself some "wiggle room". |
| capacity to steel. | | | | Cutting Closet Tubing |
| Evaluate your needs | | | | While it is possible to cut closet tubing yourself it's |
| Length - The first thing you should consider for your | | | | usually worth it to pay a cutting charge if that |
| installation is the length of the closet rod. The length | | | | service is provided by your supplier. If you do decide |
| should be determined by measuring the wall to wall | | | | to cut it yourself use a saw blade made for cutting |
| distance. Dry wall often has very slight waves or | | | | metal. Be sure to use your saw as directed by the |
| undulations in it so that the distance between walls | | | | manufacturer to prevent accidents! |
| may differ from one spot to another. For this reason | | | | Installation |
| it's important that you take your wall to wall | | | | Once you have everything measured and cut you |
| measurement at the exact spot where the closet | | | | may proceed with installation. This step will be easier |
| rod will be installed. Usually the closet rod is mounted | | | | with some assistance so get a friend to help. You've |
| at least 12 inches from the back wall. Having | | | | already made sure that your tubing is adequate for |
| someone help you measure will make the job much | | | | your closet, now you need to make sure that it's |
| easier and give you better results. If you need a | | | | firmly and securely mounted in place. The mounting |
| closet rod over 8 feet long some profiles and finishes | | | | flanges are far more likely to tear loose from the wall |
| are available in extended lengths up to 12 feet. | | | | than your closet rod is to bend so it's critical that this |
| Weight bearing needs - Next, decide what kind of | | | | step is done correctly! If the closet rod is to be |
| clothing will be stored on your closet rod. While a mix | | | | attached to dry-wall be sure that it is located so the |
| of garments is expected in a normal closet, an | | | | screws go through the dry-wall and into a wall stud. |
| Arizona wardrobe will be much different from a | | | | Dry-wall alone is not sufficient as a mounting surface. |
| Minnesota wardrobe. Cold weather clothing will weigh | | | | If you're unable to screw into a stud, plan on using a |
| a lot more and that should be taken into | | | | wood mounting board on top of the wall. This should |
| consideration. A closet rod in a coat closet will need | | | | be firmly attached to the wall studs and will provide a |
| to support a lot of heavy items while a closet rod in | | | | suitable point of attachment for your mounting |
| a nursery closet will not need to support much | | | | flanges. If you do use a mounting board remember |
| weight at all. Keep in mind that the longer the closet | | | | to subtract its thickness from your wall to wall |
| rod the more likely it is to sag when loaded with | | | | measurement when determining your closet rod |
| clothing. Center supports and shelf/rod brackets will | | | | length. Depending on the type of flange you're using, |
| keep the closet rod straight. As a general rule, closet | | | | it may be screwed in place before the rod is set or it |
| rods under 5 feet don't require center support. For | | | | may need to be slid onto the rod prior to screwing in |
| longer spans consider using center supports every 3 | | | | place. |
| or 4 feet. | | | | Using Your Closet |
| Finish - After the practical needs of your closet are | | | | Once everything is in place you can start filling your |
| determined you can concentrate on aesthetics. Profile | | | | closet. While metal tubing has a very durable finish it |
| shape, color, and finish should fit the décor of | | | | can scratch if used roughly. It's always a good idea |
| the closet and surrounding room. With so many | | | | to use quality hangers to protect your clothes and |
| choices available you should have no problem finding | | | | your closet rod. Plastic hangers will ensure that the |
| something to suit your taste. | | | | finished surface remains scratch free. Wood and |
| Mounting Flanges | | | | metal hangers are fine just as long as the hook has a |
| Mounting flanges are the supports that attach to the | | | | smooth finished end. Wire dry cleaning hangers have |
| wall and hold your closet rod up. Each type of rod will | | | | sharp ends and should be avoided. |
| have mounting flanges made specifically for it but | | | | Using the information presented here you'll be ready |
| there are common types of flanges used for all | | | | to make an informed purchase and complete your |
| tubing. Open flanges are made with the top portion | | | | closet installation like a pro! |
| open like a "U" so the closet rod can be easily lifted | | | | |