Close mount ceiling fans are appropriate for ceiling heights of nine feet or less.
Beam ceilings give a room a rustic or casual appeal. Beams are useful in large rooms with high ceilings because they visually bring the look of a high ceiling downward to create a more intimate space. Choosing a ceiling fan for this type ceiling is often necessary to help circulate warm or cool air depending on the season. Ceiling fans help save on your electric bill in any size room, whether it has a high ceiling or not.
Instructions
1. Choose a quality ceiling fan for your beam ceiling with a sturdy case or covering over the motor. Ceiling fans come in a wide range of prices, but if you purchase an inexpensive one, the case may be only thin metal and you will be able to hear the hum or vibrations from the motor. This can be annoying, particularly in a bedroom area.
2. Determine if you will attach the ceiling fan in the center of the room where an existing light fixture is located. This is usually the wisest choice since it will allow the fan to cool the entire room due to its convenient location. You may decide to place it on an existing central beam to draw attention to this detail if no wiring exists.
3. Match the color of the blades with the beam color or something comparable. For instance, if the beams are a dark cherry wood, it is more aesthetically pleasing to have the fan blades in the same tone, rather than a white oak shade.
4. Typically, beam ceilings are in rooms with rustic, southwestern or country decor. Do not choose a ceiling fan with a contemporary or Victorian look if this is the case. The room will not have an effective balance if you mix the styles.
5. Determine your lighting requirements in the the beam ceiling. If it is a bedroom, you probably do not need a ceiling fan light fixture with more than one or two bulbs. If the beam ceiling is in a kitchen or living room area, you may need at least three or four light bulb sockets to be able to see well while cooking or reading.
6. Coordinate the room size with the ceiling fan size. A small fan will tend to disappear in a large, cavernous room with beams, while a large fan will overwhelm the look of a tiny room. A good rule of thumb is that for any room larger than 12 by 12 feet you will need a fan blade span of at least 52 to 54 inches, according to the Electrical Online website. An average 10-by-12 room needs a fan blade span of 44 inches, and smaller rooms require less. Determine the size of your room by measuring the length and the width of a room with a tape measure.
7. Determine your beam ceiling height and choose a ceiling fan that has the proper mount. Rooms with a ceiling height of 9 feet or less require the installation of close mount ceiling fans. This will prevent a tall person walking through the room from being nicked in the hair or hat with a ceiling fan blade.
8. Use a special mount if you are hanging the ceiling fan from a beam in the room. Mounts for a horizontal or pitched surface on your beam are available at home supply, lighting and hardware stores. Either of the mounts may need an extension rod to ensure the fan is at an acceptable height to cool the room.
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