The Great Debate
Wooden and metal curtain poles are the two dominant choices for most homes, and both have genuine merits. The right answer depends on your interior style, curtain weight, and personal preference. Here's how to think it through.
Wooden Curtain Poles
Wood brings warmth, texture, and a natural feel to a room. Wooden poles tend to suit traditional, country, Scandinavian, and rustic interiors particularly well, though painted wooden poles can look equally at home in contemporary spaces.
Advantages of wooden poles:
• Warm, natural aesthetic that softens a room
• Available in a wide range of stains, paints, and natural finishes
• Typically heavier and more rigid, which can reduce flex on wider spans
• Easier to cut to length if you need a custom size
• Finials are usually turned from the same wood, giving a cohesive look
Things to consider:
• Natural wood can be susceptible to humidity over time — less ideal in bathrooms
• Painted finishes may chip if rings are slid along frequently
• Fewer finish options than metal for very contemporary or industrial looks
Browse our wooden curtain poles, including popular oak curtain poles.
Metal Curtain Poles
Metal poles offer a crisper, more precise look and tend to suit contemporary, industrial, and modern-classic interiors. The range of available finishes is vast — from polished chrome and brushed nickel to matt black, antique brass, and aged bronze.
Advantages of metal poles:
• Extremely durable and resistant to warping or humidity
• Wide range of finishes to complement modern hardware and fittings
• Rings glide very smoothly on metal, making curtains easy to open and close
• Sleek profiles suit minimal and contemporary schemes
• Often available in longer standard lengths, reducing the need for joins
Things to consider:
• Can feel colder or harder in rooms where warmth is a priority
• Hollow metal poles may flex on very wide spans without a central bracket
• Some finishes (e.g. chrome) can show fingerprints more readily
Browse our metal curtain poles in a wide range of finishes.
Which Is Better for Heavy Curtains?
For particularly heavy curtains — velvet, interlined, or thick wool — look at the pole's weight rating rather than the material alone. Solid wooden poles and heavy-gauge metal poles both perform well; hollow or lightweight metal poles may not. Always check the manufacturer's stated weight capacity, and ensure you use a central support bracket on spans over 150cm.
See our heavy duty curtain poles for options rated for heavier loads.
Matching Your Existing Hardware
One of the most practical considerations is what other hardware you already have in the room. If your door handles, light fittings, and furniture legs are all brushed brass, a brushed brass metal pole will tie everything together effortlessly. If you have exposed oak beams or wooden furniture, a matching oak pole will feel more considered than a chrome one.
Quick Decision Guide
Choose wood if: your interior is traditional, rustic, country or Scandi • you want a warm, natural feel • you need to cut the pole to a precise length
Choose metal if: your interior is contemporary, industrial or modern-classic • you want a wider choice of metallic finishes • you prioritise smooth ring glide and durability
Still Deciding?
Browse both ranges side by side: wooden curtain poles and metal curtain poles. And once you've chosen your pole, don't forget to check our measuring guide before you order.