At Spinifex Fans we are regularly asked how high to hang a ceiling fan.  There is no right answer to this question because every space is unique.  However in modern architecture employing large windows, staggered floor levels and variable height ceilings, observing sight lines is important.  When placed well and hung at the correct height ceiling fans add a point of interest, like a good pendant light, as well as offering practical and environmentally friendly cooling.

Keep ceiling fans above windows and horizontal lines of sight

Ceiling fans should be kept above standard height windows and where your eye is naturally drawn.  For example if you have a 7ft window try to hang the blades of your fans at 7ft or higher.  Alternatively if you have a tall room with 15ft ceilings and full height windows ensure your fans are set back far enough from the window so that they don’t impede normal viewing, and hang them closer to the ceiling without cramping them up there.  Typically bringing ceiling fans down at least a couple of feet from a height ceiling results in better performance.

Alignment of ceiling fans with mezzanine floors

It is common to hang a ceiling fan from a double height room with a mezzanine floor to the side.  Often this is associated with stairs and / or linking large open plan communal spaces with individual spaces like bedrooms.  First ensure the ceiling fan is interesting because it will get noticed.  Secondly don’t jam the ceiling fan against the ceiling because this limits its efficacy.  Then there are three generally recommended hanging levels:

1. Closer to the ceiling where only the underside of the fan can be seen.  This helps to keep sight lines free and reduces the need for cleaning, but doesn’t add a point of interest nor does it effectively cool the lower floor level.  This is often employed in cooler climates where the objective of the fan is to bring warm air down.
2. 1.5m up from the Mezzanine floor level which ensures the fan is noticed and cools the mezzanine and lower level effectively.  This approach is most popular for lofts.
3. At mezzanine floor level there by keeping it out of standard sight lines and offering the best cooling to the lower level, but it does little to cool the mezzanine level.

All three approaches are equally valid.

Ceiling fans on a single plane versus staggered hanging height

Ceiling fans should be hung on a single plain or noticeably staggered where possible.  Small variations in the level of ceiling fans can be distracting.  The exception to this rule is when dealing with sunken floor sections where it may be beneficial to lower the fans in this section to ensure better air movement.  In this case bringing them down at least 30cm from the ceiling, and ideally a bit more if the room height allows.

Minimum and maximum hanging heights for ceiling fans

Under Australian law the blades of a ceiling fan must be 7ft (2.1m) above the floor.  So long as this criterion is met then you are open to personal judgement as to what is most appropriate in your space.  For a more in depth review of this topic review our article on ‘How high to hang a ceiling fan’.

Ceiling fan sight lines is a post from: Interior Design Tips

Ever looked at a ceiling fan and wondered why they can look so ugly?  It is unfortunately not an uncommon misconception that ceiling fans all look daggy and dusty.  People are often then torn between adding ceiling fans to their home, knowing that they are a fantastically environmentally friendly solution to home cooling solution, and the fear that in a short time they will have an eye sore suspended from their ceiling.  The good news is that with a little bit of forethought and a minimum of effort it doesn’t have to be this way.

Suspend disbelief – ceiling fans can look good

If you are a disbeliever from the start then please case an eye over the Spinifex Ceiling Fan Gallery where we showcase a range of ceiling fans in interesting contemporary architecture.  The point being a lot of leading designers and architects are using ceiling fans in their designs, where they look great and are practical.

What to look for in a ceiling fan to keep it looking good

Key in a ceiling fan that will continue to look good is:

Simple clean lines:  The more geometrically elegant a ceiling fan the less propensity it has to capture dust, plus it is more easily cleaned.

Integrated lights:  Lights that integrate with the ceiling fan motor housing help to keep bugs out.

Material selection:  Select materials that are resistant to rusting and weathering:

• Engineered ply wood (not solid woods and certainly not MDF)
• Aluminium treated with a protective coating
• Quality plastics
• Stainless steel (quality 316 only)

Sympathetic colours:  Silvers (brushed aluminium and nickel) along with wooden blades (maple and mahogany) hide dust more effectively than white.

Things to avoid to keep your ceiling fan looking good

Clear blades:  Dirt shows up very quickly on them and you can see the upper service where dust gathers.

Intricate designs:  The more complex a design the more likely it is to catch dust, grim and bugs; and the harder it is to clean.

Textured materials:  Rattan may be great for chairs but not ceiling fans.  The texture is more likely to catch dust in the first place as the fan spins and it makes it hard to clean.

Unfinished metals:  Brass and aluminium are prone to tarnish.  This can be easily resisted through the application of an appropriate protectively layer, but in the absence of it the metal will quick lose its good looks.

Metal blades:  The blades are the component most likely to rust.

Bug catcher lights:  Lights want to keep bugs out and be easily removed for cleaning.

Ceiling fans benefit from an occasional clean

Like the rest of your house, ceiling fans benefit from a bit of cleaning.  All that is necessary is a quick wipe down with a damp cloth a couple of times a year.  Focus on the leading edge of the blades of the ceiling fan and the top surfaces where dust will gather.  A quality ceiling fan does not require internal cleaning or maintenance to keep it looking good and working well.

Ever looked at a ceiling fan and wondered why they can look so ugly?  It is unfortunately not an uncommon misconception that ceiling fans all look daggy and dusty.  People are often then torn between adding ceiling fans to their home, knowing that they are a fantastically environmentally friendly solution to home cooling solution, and the fear that in a short time they will have an eye sore suspended from their ceiling.  The good news is that with a little bit of forethought and a minimum of effort it doesn’t have to be this way.

Suspend disbelief – ceiling fans can look good

If you are a disbeliever from the start then please case an eye over the Spinifex Gallery where we showcase a range of ceiling fans in interesting contemporary architecture.  The point being a lot of leading designers and architects are using ceiling fans in their designs, where they look great and are practical.

What to look for in a ceiling fan to keep it looking good

Key in a fan that will continue to look good is:

·         Simple clean lines:  The more geometrically elegant a ceiling fan the less propensity it has to capture dust, plus it is more easily cleaned.

·         Integrated lights:  Lights that integrate with the ceiling fan motor housing help to keep bugs out.

·         Material selection:  Select materials that are resistant to rusting and weathering:

o   Engineered ply wood (not solid woods and certainly not MDF)

o   Aluminium treated with a protective coating

o   Quality plastics

o   Stainless steel (quality 316 only)

·         Sympathetic colours:  Silvers (brushed aluminium and nickel) along with wooden blades (maple and mahogany) hide dust more effectively than white.

Things to avoid to keep your ceiling fan looking good

·         Clear blades:  Dirt shows up very quickly on them and you can see the upper service where dust gathers.

·         Intricate designs:  The more complex a design the more likely it is to catch dust, grim and bugs; and the harder it is to clean.

·         Textured materials:  Rattan may be great for chairs but not ceiling fans.  The texture is more likely to catch dust in the first place as the fan spins and it makes it hard to clean.

·         Unfinished metals:  Brass and aluminium are prone to tarnish.  This can be easily resisted through the application of an appropriate protectively layer, but in the absence of it the metal will quick lose its good looks.

·         Metal blades:  The blades are the component most likely to rust.

·         Bug catcher lights:  Lights want to keep bugs out and be easily removed for cleaning.

Ceiling fans benefit from an occasional clean

Like the rest of your house, ceiling fans benefit from a bit of cleaning.  All that is necessary is a quick wipe down with a damp cloth a couple of times a year.  Focus on the leading edge of the blades of the ceiling fan and the top surfaces where dust will gather.  A quality ceiling fan does not require internal cleaning or maintenance to keep it looking good and working well.

Clean ceiling fans is a post from: Interior Design Tips

Takt Studio has used the Spinifex Ball Fan in brushed aluminium with maple wood blades in its innovative addition to a family home on the NSW South Coast.  The extensive use of wood for the interior lends itself to the modern metallic motor housing softened and made more interesting by the use of timber blades.  The Ball ceiling fan’s simple geometry is also in keeping with the lighting and minimalist feel of the design.

The full article appearing in the Habitus Living October 24 edition by Nicholas Sherwood is available at ‘A Pod’s Potential‘.

Details on the Ball ceiling fan are available through the website or contacting the Spinifex team.

Ball fan in Habitus Living ‘Pod’ is a post from: Interior Design Tips

At Spinifex we are regularly asked what ceiling fan finish is best.  Of course there is no right answer to this question because the answer is a product of the architectural setting of the ceiling fan and personal taste.  However, there are some simple rules of thumb many people find helpful.  Here we touch on those simple design rules as well as outline a few more technical aspects of ceiling fan finishes.

What Ceiling Fan Finish Is Right For You?

White ceiling fans:  Are classic and the best match to blend into a white ceiling.  White is the most popular option when adding ceiling fans to a lower ceiling (2.4m / 8ft) or when you want to minimise your awareness of the ceiling fans.  You can almost never go wrong with a white ceiling fan making it a safe choice.

Metallic ceiling fans:  Make more of a statement because they are more eye catching and some would stay more interesting.  They are the popular choice for people with modern architecture and fans being installed outside.  Metallic finished are also best for hiding dust, making them popular for fans that are mounted high and hard to reach for periodic cleaning.

Brown ceiling fans:  Darker coloured fans are typically reserved for traditional architecture or for specially applications.

Wood finished blades:  Increasingly designers are using wood interior highlights.  To support this ceiling fans with a white or metallic body are coupled with wood finished blades.  These are mostly seen in more opulent fits outs by people who know the look and feel they want.  Picking up the wood finish that has been used elsewhere in the fit out on your ceiling fans too is a nice detail many people miss.

Ceiling Fan Motor Housing Finishes

The motor housing, down rods and ceiling canopy of ceiling fans are nearly always made of metal cover with a paint, epoxy or plated finish, all of which have their pros and cons.

Painted Finish:  Paint is applied through a powder coating process that produces a finish that will look good and protect the underlying metal from oxygen which causes rust.  It is cost effective and can’t go too far wrong in production.  It is also easily touched up if scuffed.

Epoxy Finish:  A protective coating is always required on a raw metal finish like brushed aluminium.  To maintain the quality of this finish a layer of clear epoxy is applied.  Assuming this is done properly (you get what you pay for) then an epoxy coated aluminium component is the most resistant to rusting.

Plated Finish:  Plating produces the best quality metallic finishes in terms of evenness and refinement, but they are more expensive to make and are slightly less resistant to weathering than epoxy.  If you are after quality and finesse look for a plated finish.

Ceiling Fan Light Finishes

The quality of a ceiling fan light is an important differentiator between the good, bad and ugly of ceiling fans.  Good ceiling fan lights will be a two layer glass.  The external structural layer will be a clear, white or tinted glass that has been acid etched to produce an even matt finish.  The internal optical layer will usually be white.  Cheaper, and nearly always nastier, ceiling fan lights will be a single layer of glass, omit the acid etching process or even be plastic.

Ceiling Fan Blade Finishes

Blade finishes are mostly a paper laminate applied to a wood substrate or paint applied to a plastic substrate.  The finish quality of both is equally good.  The paper finish can be made to look like natural wood, paint, aluminium and so on.  This is similar to how Laminex bench tops are made.  The edges of the blades are usually painted or the grain of the wood left exposed.  Rarely is the blade finish a factor in deciding the quality of a ceiling fan.

Ceiling Fan Finishes is a post from: Interior Design Tips

There is no doubt that kicking the tyres is the most tangible way of testing whether a product is right for you. However is it the best way and are you prepared to pay a significant premium for the privilege over purchasing online?  This is a dilemma facing many consumers and retailers too.  And as more people migrate over to online shopping the survival of bricks and mortar lighting retailers becomes increasingly tenuous.  The good news is that the internet is a great way to buy even expensive items if you take some basic precautions.

Cons of buying ceiling fans online

So what are we losing with the steady decline of lighting showrooms where you can go to metaphorically kick the tyres of a range of ceiling fans to asses which is right for you.

Hard to judge proportions and finish:  While design professionals are good at assessing a product from a two dimensional image and data specification sheet, for us mere mortals it is difficult.  Good online vendors now use 3D photography of their products to help get around his problem, but many don’t and this is a problem.

Can’t walk out with one:  If you need a product NOW bricks and mortar stores are the only option, but be mindful that the stocked range is often limited.

Personal contact with sales person:  Many people like to look the person selling them something in the eye, especially when spending a lot of money.

Pros of buying ceiling fans online

The growing popularity of online shopping isn’t an accident.  There are many good reasons to shop online:

Quality of advice: Dedicated ceiling fan specialists will know their products well, usually much better than the staff at a general lighting store.

Price:  Retail space is expensive and that cost is passed through to the consumer.

Range:  There are a few ceiling fan showrooms with a good range, but not many and almost all ceiling fans are available online.

Speed of delivery:  Buying direct from the distributor takes a step out of the distribution chain reducing the time it takes to get your fans except where they are stocked by your local store.

Ease:  You can shop online when you want in the comfort of your own fluffy bunny slippers.  Of course you can wear your slippers to the mall, but you might be firmly escorted to the door by security.

What to look for in an online vendor

When buying ceiling fans online you should look for:

Trust:  If you think the website looks dodgy, give it a miss.  There are plenty of quality online vendors of ceiling fans.

Advice:  Email or better still speak with the company.  Good online retailers of ceiling fans will be happy to talk with you about their products.  No contact details… give it a miss!

Direct warranty support:  Ensure the product warranty is backed by the people selling the ceiling fan and not by a third party manufacturer or distributor.  If something goes wrong you want to make just one call to have it fixed and no passing of responsibility.

How to be sure a product is right for you without seeing it

Online retailers of quality ceiling fans typically have three options to help you assess a product:

1. Photo gallery of their ceiling fans hung in different architectural environments.  Take a close look at the images to make sure they are real rather than the fan being inserted into the image.  Seeing the ceiling canopy attaching to the ceiling is a good sign.
2. 3D photography that allows you to view a ceiling fan from different angles is a good way to understand the fans proportions and feel.
3. Return policy that allows you to return a fan at no costs.  This is a fairly good indication that not many are getting returned.

Is it okay to see it in a shop then buy it online at a cheaper price?

No!  It costs people money to avail you with the opportunity to see a ceiling fan hung.  They have to pay for the product, pay rent on the shop and so forth.  If you walk into a store and take up someone’s time in the knowledge you are going to buy it online you are being deceptive and arguably stealing.  Don’t do it.  If you need to see a ceiling fan in the flesh before buying it then be prepared to pay a bit more for it.

Buying ceiling fans online versus in a store is a post from: Interior Design Tips

There is no doubt LED lighting is the way of the future.  Nearly all research dollars into lighting are focused on Light Emitting Diode (LED) technologies.  It is very promising technology that has found a lot of applications, but so far this hasn’t extended to ceiling fans in a meaningful way.  Why not is a common question from architects and interior designers.  Following is a simple review of LED lighting, an explanation why LED lights for ceiling fans are limited, and an overview of what to look for from ceiling fan lighting.

LED lighting overview

In an LED the diode emits a light when a current passes through it.  LEDs are often referred to as solid state devices because there is no filament like in a conventional bulb which can break, however the brightness of LEDs does degrade over time.  LEDs were initially used in indicator lamps but as the technology has improved the spectrum of light they can cover and their brightness has greatly improved, opening up their application to many lighting needs.

Why aren’t LED’s available on ceiling fans

There are a number of issues with mounting LED lights on ceiling fans:

1. Heat:  LEDs like computers need to be kept cool to work properly and minimise their loss of brightness over time.  Mounting an LED close to the electric motor of a ceiling fan damages an LED because it is a heat source.
2. Directionality:  LED light is highly directional, meaning it wants to shine out in beam like a spotlight rather than radiate out from a point like a naked bulb.  As such it isn’t a good single light source for a room, especially when lowered from the ceiling at the base of a ceiling fan.
3. Brightness:  Single LEDs are rarely as bright as halogen or florescent technologies.  To get around this a lot of LEDs are usually mounted in a cluster, but there is a limit to how many LEDs can be squeezed into a given space.  Also the brighter LEDs that might be applicable often have the lowest lighting quality which is not recommended for use in homes.
4. Cost:  Led lighting is still expensive, and while the cost is rapidly coming down, it remains an expensive solution for the time being.

When will LED’s be available on ceiling fans

This question can’t be answered with any accuracy, but it is likely that within 20 years LED light will be the dominant lighting solution for home applications.  And over the coming years we can expect to see more LED options.  However until LEDs can be retrofitted to existing lighting fixtures then we are unlikely to see them properly penetrate the domestic lighting market.  When this happens moving to LED will be as simple as switching out a light bulb.

What are the other options

Option 1 is to use LED down lights and wall washers that are separate from your ceiling fans.

Option 2 is to use either a conventional halogen or compact florescent bulb in your ceiling fan light.  Halogen light remains the gold standard for quality, evenness and installation cost.  Also it is very compact making it well suited to lower ceilings.  Also halogen is the better option when immediate bright light is needed because florescents take a few minutes to warm up and reach full brightness.  Florescent lamps are popular when lighting quality is less of a concern and the larger bulbs can be accommodated with the ceiling fan without encroaching into a rooms head space.

Ceiling Fans and LED Lighting is a post from: Interior Design Tips

Australian architects and designers are increasingly aware of the importance of good air flow to keep spaces comfortable.  This is usually achieved through a combination of cross ventilation and ceiling fans.  But many people balk at ceiling fans when they have complex architectural feature because they aren’t confident that the two will integrate well.  You needn’t worry, with a little design nous you can ensure your ceiling fans will integrate well into an interesting architectural space.

Consistent Style

The first thing to consider is choosing a ceiling fan that is stylistically consistent with your architecture and interior design.  For example, if you have a modern minimalist space choose a modern ceiling fan that is and geometrically simple.  Or, if you are using wood features then look to match the blades in similar wood tones.

Fan Size

If there are beams and other ceiling features that need to be worked around it may be prudent to select a fan with shorter blades.  The standard blade diameter (sweep) in Australia is 130cm, and many manufactures will have small diameter options.  The better examples of these smaller fans work nearly as effectively as their larger counterparts while taking up a smaller space on the ceiling.  However, when using smaller blades ensure the fan continues to look balanced.  A large motor housing coupled to short blades can look stubby and out of proportion.

Location Location Location

If location is the first, second and third priority for real estate, it is equally important for hanging ceiling fans.  There are three key points to keep in mind:

1. Centre your fans:  If possible hang your fans directly above the centre of the space you are defining.  This may not necessarily be the middle of the room, especially in open plan layouts.  For example above the middle of a sitting area or over a dinning setting might be more appropriate than simply in the middle of the room.
2. Hanging height:  Aim to keep the blades of all fans on the same horizontal plane, even when there are split levels in the space.  This is particularly relevant for slightly sunken floors.
3. Geometric layout:  Where multiple fans are going to be used, lay them out across the ceiling as closely to a regular geometric pattern as possible.

Complementing Sight Lines

Ceiling fans should be hung outside the main sight lines.  For instance, where there is a large window that draws people’s attention then locate the fans high enough that they don’t break the view, and / or to the sides of the main viewing angles.  Alternatively sometimes there are architectural elements that the ceiling fan can be aligned with (e.g. structural beams, mezzanine floors, joins in large windows) to minimise their impact on the sight lines in the room.

Adding Lighting

Ceiling fans can be used as accent lighting to add more even illumination and / or highlight architectural features.  There are many quality ceiling fans with lights that can be used as both primary lighting for a space as well as accent lighting.  This is particularly relevant when there are lots of architectural features requiring multiple points of illumination to prevent shadowing.

Ceiling Fans and Architectural Features is a post from: Interior Design Tips

Contemporary architects and designers know to put ceiling fans in bedrooms and living spaces, and yet it remains fairly uncommon for architects and designers to specify ceiling fans for kitchens, bathrooms and indoor pools.  A bit of research suggests the explanation is that they mistakenly think a range hood in the kitchen and an extraction fan in the bathroom is a satisfactory alternative.  While both of these appliances have their place, neither provides a quiet cooling breeze in two of the rooms in your home most in need of good air circulation.  And for indoor pools the need for good air circulation is often overlooked entirely.

Humidity resistant fans

The key to having a ceiling fan in a kitchen, bathroom or indoor  pool room is making sure it is resistant to humidity and easily cleaned.  Most leading brands of ceiling fans offer models that are ‘Damp Rated’, or ceiling fans designed for outdoor use, and are built to endure being hung in a challenging environment.  So finding a suitable ceiling fan for your kitchen, bathroom or indoor pool room in the style you are after shouldn’t be a problem.

When choosing a model it is recommend you select a ceiling fan with simple clean lines.  This makes regular cleaning with a damp cloth easy and saves on dust getting stuck in intricate features.  Also opt for aluminium castings and quality plywood or plastic blades to resist unsightly rust or warping of the blades which causes wobble and noise.

Kitchen ceiling fans

Functionally the kitchen is one of the most useful places for a ceiling fan.  In most households someone spends a lot of time in the kitchen at the end of the day when it is hot, surrounded by appliances that add more heat.  A ceiling fan will serve to both provide a quiet cooling breeze for the cook, and also disperse the heat and smells from cooking.

Kitchens are actually fairly benign environments for ceiling fans.  Even without extraction hoods over stoves there is only a little more humidity and cooking fumes than in other living areas.  And so long as you select a ceiling fan that is easily cleaned your fan will continue to work well and look good for many years.

Bathroom ceiling fans

Most Australian bathrooms have an extraction fan.  These are good at drawing out humid air, but they are very noisy with the sound reverberating off hard tile walls.  They also often don’t do much of a job of moving air around to keep the bathroom cool and comfortable.

Most leading manufacturers of ceiling fans will have models designed for smaller spaces and are well suited to bathrooms.  A ceiling fan in a bathroom may replace or be used in conjunction with an extraction fan.  It is fine to mount a ceiling fan close to or in front of the vent of an extraction fan so using both devices in a smaller room is perfectly manageable.

Ceiling fans for indoor swimming pools

A common complaint about indoor swimming pools is how stuffy the room can become, particular in homes where there is often not the space for high ceilings.  A good solution is ceiling fans.  You don’t need many, just enough to gently move the air to balance the humidity and produce a more even temperature distribution around the room.

Another useful benefit of ceiling fans for indoor swimming pools is that by moving the air the propensity for condensation to cloud windows is reduced.  It can also reduce the need for noisy and costly ducted air movement systems.

Kitchen, Bathroom & Swimming Pool Ceiling Fans is a post from: Interior Design Tips

As the first winter weather starts to hit Australia people generally stop thinking about their ceiling fans. Rather than reaching for the fan dial to cool your home down at the end of the day you reach for a jumper.  But before your fans completely leave your consciousness for another year there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Winter mode and warm air circulation

All quality ceiling fans have a winter mode.  This reverses the direction of rotation of the blades drawing air up to the fan and pushing in out across the ceiling.  This recirculates warm air that pools on the ceiling (hot air rises), making your space a more even temperature and reducing heating costs.

Drawing the air up to the fan also results in you barely noticing the air movement, so there is none of that cooling breeze that is so welcome during the hot summer months.

Another benefit of using ceiling fans in winter is that gently moving the air around the room helps to reduce window condensation.  This in turn increases the humidity, which is often uncomfortably low in nicely heated spaces in the winter months.

The majority of fans have a small switch on the motor housing of the fan.  Often it is inset on the better models so that the appearance of the fan isn’t compromised.  To switch it just use your finger or if inset use a pen or small screw driver.

Cleaning and maintenance

Following is a simple checklist of maintenance tips that are good to perform at the end of summer.

Dusting:  Clean the blades and motor housing of dust.  Typically the leading edge of the blades will gather dust which needs to be regularly removed.  If it isn’t removed it can gather moisture during winter which over time will penetrate the blades causing them to prematurely age.

Loose attachment:  Check that the fan remains firmly attached to the ceiling.  If properly installed the fan shouldn’t become loose, but it is usually a simple thing to check how well the mounting bracket is attached to the ceiling by trying to wobble the ceiling canopy (bit that attaches to the ceiling).  If you are worried that the fan has come loose or that there are loose electrical attachments ring an electrician.  Ceiling fans in Australia use a potentially lethal 240 volt electricity source that should only be modified by a trained professional.

Light diffuser:  If your fan has a light take off the light diffuser and give it a good rinse in warm water to keep in clean and remove any bugs from inside the glass.  Do not wash it in the dishwasher.

Replace batteries:  From time to time it will be necessary to replace the batteries on your remote control transmitter.

Nearly all modern ceiling fans have sealed bearings which do not need lubrication.  It is nearly never a good idea to open up the workings of a ceiling fan.

Once you have finished cleaning and checking your fan then ensure it is still hanging true, with the down rod vertically aligned, otherwise the fan may wobble.

Ceiling Fans In Winter is a post from: Interior Design Tips

Modern Australian architecture often has low ceilings, even in the most glamorous homes, which can make the addition of ceiling fans a problem.  The standard solution is to select a ceiling fan designed for low ceilings.  Another option for the design savvy is to recess your ceiling fan into the ceiling.  Locally raising the ceiling where the ceiling fan is located maximises head clearance and reduces the visual intrusion into the room.  This has become popular for hiding lighting and window covers and is gaining popularity for ceiling fans too.

Ceiling fan recess dimension

There are two key aspects to the dimensions of the recess for a ceiling fan, the depth and the diameter.  This is not a perfect science and every installation is individual based on room size, layout, climate, and so forth, but the following rules of thumb may be useful.

Depth:  Generally you are best to keep the underside of the blades at the same height as the ceiling, with the motor housing coming down slightly into the room.  If you want to avoid the motor housing being seen then it is best to select a ceiling fan with the blades mounted onto the bottom of the fan.  The depth of the recess should be the depth of the fan to the blades when mounted on a short down rod, usually about 250mm to 300mm.

Diameter:  The diameter (or sides if the recess is a square or rectangle) should be at least twice the diameter of the ceiling fan’s blades.  This is important to allow the fan to draw air in above the fan to create a convection of air from the ceiling, to the top of the fan, then down into the room.  If there is too little room for air to get in above the fan blades then the volume of air the fan moves will be reduced.  There will be a loss of air movement over a standard installation, however so long as the above two rules are observed you should still get a nice cooling breeze in the room.

Keep in mind that fans with shorter blades are available from most leading brands that can be used for this application.

The danger of a sound box

Be aware that a plaster board recess can become a sound box which magnifies noises from your ceiling fan.  Ceiling fans like all other moving and electrical objects do produce some noise.  Be mindful to choose a top quality ceiling fan backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.  If you are a light sleeper easily bothered by noise then recessing a ceiling fan above your bed may not be a good solution.  However in living spaces where there is more ambient noise this is unlikely to be an issue.

Is it worth it?

If you would consider recessing your lighting or window coverings then consider the same for your ceiling fans.  By their nature ceiling fans are one of the more prominent fixtures in your home and if you are looking to maintain simple clean lines then recessing your ceiling fans is a good idea.  It is also likely to be cheaper than opting to use air conditioning instead of ceiling fans and considerably more environmentally friendly.

Recessing A Ceiling Fan is a post from: Interior Design Tips