Instructions HERE on using all three rods, for the "curtain rod" impaired (like me) I like the rods very much after I figured out how to put everything together for my double window.As most other reviewers pointed out, the instructions weren't of much use. But I'm not going to let that take away from the rating, ... because I knew nothing about putting together long curtain rods but took my time and figured it out as follows. (I think some people had problems with the "extension" rod and using all three rods together, it IS possible read on)I have two windows side by side, total measurement about 71 inches. At first I used the two rods that already had the finials as it was packaged (finials is new word to me, as I said, I'm new to this!) .... It came packaged such that there was one sturdier rod with a finial and the extension rod had a finial. I believe this would be used if you needed your total rod length to be anywhere from about 45 inches (ABOUT 45, meaning greater than the length of one "fatter" rod) and less than ABOUT 90 inches (less than the length of the two "fatter" rods together). And in this case, the skinnier rod doesn't "click" into the bracket making it difficult to avoid the rods sliding apart when you "open" or move the curtain. I'm not sure what the solution is for that issue, it could be that one can secure the rods with some of the parts that were in the package, but I'm not sure.In my case, I thought if I could figure out how to use the two main rods, that would be OK since putting them together would be just a wee bit longer than I needed. But how? Using all three rods was like a puzzle to me since the instructions were extremely basic and didn't cover this.The solution: Take the finial off the extension (thinner) rod, and put it on the other "fatter" rod, (** see note on bottom - this is a little exercise in itself. ) ... then I could use all three rods, with the extension rod ... halfway inside one "main" rod and halfway inside the other - making it not visible. For the width I needed for two windows, I could use the extension rod so it is half way between both "main" rods, and the "main" rods join together. So the extension rod is functioning more as a stabilization rod. Now the rods click into the bracket. I had to use the third bracket right in the middle.(putting up the brackets was hilarious for me, as there are metal "braces" around my windows under the drywall .... between that and not hitting the studs, "oi"!)** Finial note: When I took the finial off of the extension rod (it was there as packaged, and I had to unscrew and pull ... it wasn't exactly easy taking the finial off but it finally came off) ... anyway I tried putting it on the end of the other "main" rod and it wasn't secure. I needed a fatter "plastic thingy" that was screwed onto the finial. Oh, then I had a light bulb moment. I was wondering what those fatter "plastic screwy thingies" were for in the little plastic packet ! I thought they were real fat anchors to use in the dry wall if needed. Nope!! They were replacement "plastic thingies" for the finials. In order to put the fatter "thingy" on the finial, you have to remove one that's there, by unscrewing the screw that attaches it. Then screw in the fatter "thingy". Now the finial will fit firmly into the "main" rod (the end of the rod that has no plastic insert in it). It might take time to screw in/push the finial into the rod, just like it was when removing it as explained above.