How far to hang ceiling fan on 20 foot ceiling?
Jennifer B.
4 years ago
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BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoUser
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Junction box for ceiling fan vs hanging fixture
Comments (6)patty cakes Home Depot sells a junction box designed for ceiling fans. It has a metal L bracket that is riveted into thew top of the box and has 4 to 5 holes to screw the box to the side of the ceiling joists. The L bracket also has spikes that dig into the wood to provide extra strength. I would recommend using these boxes for ceiling fans or moderately heavy fixtures. Most fans weigh close to or more than 25 pounds. However, when they spin they put a lot more stress on the box holding it than the dead weight of the fixture. Regular j boxes for light weight ceiling fixtures have 2 nails holding them into the side of the joists - and these nails stick into the joist by maybe 1 inch or so. It is dangerous to hang a heavy fixture - or fan - on one of these boxes with just 2 nails holding them in place.. For heavy ceiling fixtures, they also make a special box that has 2 bolts the attach from the bottom of the box up into the joists. This type of box should be used for fixtures that weigh up to 80 pounds. They make other boxes with brackets that bolt between joists four very heavy chandeliers that weigh more than 80 pounds if you have any of these. iIt is true that electricians will typically install standard j boxes unless you spec otherwise. I would make sure that your electrician uses the proper rated box for the weight loads you are planning. The special boxes are inexpensive and worth the peace of mind that the fixtures won't fall out of the ceiling....See MoreCeiling Fan in FR - White to match Ceiling?
Comments (19)We were considering putting in a ceiling fan in our family room during our remodel (and even wired for it), but DH felt it would make the ceiling look too busy since it's only 8'. Anyway, in the process though I was working with a lighting designer and I must say there are some lovely fans out there that do make a decorator statement. If I had the height, I would've put one in hands down. You can custom select blades from any of a number of wood finishes plus several different finishes to coordinate with other hardware. Depending on your climate, a decorative fan can be a real asset for resale. Personally, I think the white ones look cheap and cheesy--like what you find in an apartment rental. Frankly, all of our decor and color schemes become dated--no matter what we choose. It's the industry that needs to have people keep buying new stuff--even though the old stuff is perfectly good. Take a look at Casablanca fans. Here is a link that might be useful: Casablanca...See MoreCeiling fans and whole house fans in older MHs?
Comments (9)Hi wantoretire_did! Thank you so much for the suggestions! I've been meaning to get to HD and my local ACE for a walk-about. I'm going to go when I have a couple of hours and don't have to rush around. Just walk around with my trusty legal pad and take notes. Lighting is a big part of what I want to look at. I really appreciate your suggestion because that didn't even cross my mind! I'm pretty sure most, if not all, of the fixtures in my house are original, and at 37, they need to retire, lol! I just can't see paying some guy from CL for the rest of my life to come replace bulbs and wash the fixtures! I have electric burners, but I can see how that could easily happen with gas. I'm pretty much leaning against the ceiling fans now; cathyyg made very good points, and these seven ft. ceilings feel so low already, even at my height, that I fear the fans would just draw attention to them. We've got a good system with the fans now, and I don't think ceiling fans are as necessary as I thought they were when I first posted this. Yes! Taking lots of pictures! :-) I hope all is well with you and yours!...See MoreHow close is too close for ceiling fans?
Comments (12)Since I do not have any ceilings on the first floor higher than 8', and on the 2nd floor, 9', perhaps this is why I don't "get" the idea. I did have two in my house - one on the sunporch and we put one in the kitchen. The one in the kitchen was a huge nuisance - with multiple dogs/cats at that time, cleaning it was a daily task and all it did was stir up the pet hair being "discharged" from all these pets. Better to keep it low, on the floor where a quick wipe with a Swifter could gather it all up. I used to use the one on the porch (it is reversible) but find I really don't need it. I did leave it up "just in case" when I re-did the ceiling in true painted beadboard. It's a very old one with lovely real stained wood blades and it just looks nice on the porch; I do rarely turn it on, though. I do not live in the desert SW, but I do live in KY where the humidity is horrendous during many months of the year. What I finally had to bring myself to was to accept that I needed to have the HVAC running year 'round and rarely (really NEVER!), open a window. I LOVE open windows and natural air, but I also have allergies, and the Ohio River Valley is awful - always some sort of pollen/air alert day. I pay a very high price, health wise, for an open window. Perhaps fans are needed for these enormous beamed ceilings, in order to heat and cool. But if so, my question is how on earth do you get up there to clean the danged things? I would rather have more reasonable ceiling heights and no fans, but that's just my personal preference. With normal ceiling heights and a zoned HVAC system, I have no need for fans....See MoreBlue Marbles Renovation LLC
3 years agoJennifer B.
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2 years agoDebbieandMario Cohen
7 months agoci_lantro
7 months ago
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