tension
TEN-shuhn
/ˈtenʃən/
A spring-loaded rod held in place inside a window frame by outward pressure, requiring no screws or nails.
In window treatments, 'tension' almost always modifies 'rod' to describe a damage-free, temporary hanging solution.
The story behind the word. Tension comes from the Latin 'tensionem', which means 'a stretching.' It entered English through Old French to describe the state of being stretched tight. In the 20th century, the invention of internal spring mechanisms led to the creation of the tension rod.
Word relationships
- spring-loaded rod: Spring-loaded rod describes the internal mechanism, while tension rod describes the physical force holding it in place.
Commonly confused with
- traverse rod: A traverse rod uses internal cords and pulleys to slide curtains open and closed, whereas a tension rod is a simple stationary bar.
Word family
- tense (adjective): Stretched tight or rigid.
- tensioned (adjective): Subjected to tension.
Collocations
- tension rod
- spring tension
- tension mechanism
Example sentences
- "Because she was renting, she used a tension rod to hang her lightweight sheer curtains without damaging the plaster." DIY apartment decorating tips.
Memory hook
A tension rod stays up because it is 'tense' and pushes hard against the walls. A spring-loaded, drill-free rod.
When not to use
Do not use to describe heavy-duty rods that must be permanently anchored into wall studs with screws.
Fun facts
- Tension rods rely entirely on friction and Hooke's Law of elasticity to remain suspended in mid-air.
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