Traditional ceiling fans are a great way to decorate your home and add to the overall level of style. This is especially true if you live in a period residence and are trying to get the look just right.
There are so many different styles in the range of traditional ceiling fans you will be spoiled for choice. They come in a range of materials including wood or bronze. They also have different blade span ratings, power usage efficiency and some have built in lights.
Casablanca ceiling fans or Hampton Bay ceiling fans?
Some people like the Casablanca ceiling fans perhaps because it inspires memories of their favorite film. Fans add to the décor of the room but they also help to create a more comfortable atmosphere as they move the air around. Hot air rises in a room so having a ceiling fan will make your air conditioning system more efficient if you have one, and may remove the need for it if you don’t. As with an interior decorating your personal style plus budget will play a part in your decision.
When buying your ceiling fan you will need to make a couple of decisions.
Location: You need to pick the correct traditional ceiling fan for the location. You obviously would buy an outdoors ceiling fan if you are planning to use it on your porch. But if you are planning on hanging a fan in your kitchen or bathroom you need to ensure it is suitable for this purpose. There is a lot of water in these rooms and that can lead to mold and warping if the fans are not suitable for these areas. Check with the manufacturer. Some Hampton Bay ceiling fans look fantastic in your kitchen where they not only help the air movement but also are quite effective at dispersing cooking smells.
How many?: Most people will fit the fan to the central point in the ceiling but if you have a very large room you may need two fans. Only using one fan in a spacious room can render it very ineffective and you will not benefit from air movement.
Ceiling space: You need to measure your ceiling before you buy Hampton Bay ceiling fans or any other make. You want to create a feature piece but you do not want it to overtake the room not to mention fail to work as it doesn’t have sufficient space to operate. Some of the Quorum ceiling fans can hang quite low which is great if you have high ceilings but rather awkward if you don’t. You measure the fan from the tip of one blade to the tip of the one opposite.
Power supply: Traditional ceiling fans will need a power source so you must check that the electrical circuit in your home can handle the extra load. You may have to speak to an electrician to have the electrics upgraded particularly if you live in an older property. Most people also want a central light fitting in the room so you may want to consider buying authentic ceiling fans with lights. This will remove the need for two separate power supplies.
Energy costs: Check the power usage efficiency before you buy. Check their blade span rating for more information. Some fans are more energy efficient than others so not only do you reduce your impact on global warming but you can also save dollars on your fuel bills.
Technology: Although you want to install traditional ceiling fans this doesn’t mean you cannot benefit from the latest technology. You can now buy remote controlled units that allow you to adjust the height, speed and direction of the fan as well as the level of light.
If you are thinking of buying an outdoor ceiling fan you may have become a little confused as there are so many to choose from. You may prefer a traditional ceiling fan to the more contemporary look. You may have an area in your home that is part indoor and part outdoor and perhaps are wondering if there is an indoor outdoor fan available on the market. You have to compare the different outdoor ceiling fans available to avoid making a mistake. This is not an inexpensive item so you want it to last for a long time.
An Outdoor ceiling fan with Lights
It makes sense to buy outdoor ceiling fans with lights as then you do not need to worry about having to provide two different electrical sockets in the ceiling. You must check the circuit to see if it can handle the load associated with a combined fan. Hampton Bay outdoor ceiling fans have a fantastic range to choose from as do Lowes or Hunter. If you want budget outdoor ceiling fans, Home Depot often have them on sale.
What is the difference between outdoor ceiling fans and indoor ceiling fans?
The main difference is suitability for use and size. Most outdoor ceiling fans are suitable for use indoors as well but few indoor ones can be used in your porch or garden. In fact when buying an outdoor ceiling fan, you need to check whether it is damp rated or wet rated.
Damp rated outdoor ceiling fans cannot be placed in open areas. As the name suggests they can only become damp not wet so they cannot be situated anywhere where they are likely to get wet. If you have a covered area such as a porch with awning they may be suitable but you need to be sure the rain won’t reach them. Electricity and water do not mix well but that may not be the only problem. Some of the materials in the fan may discolor or warp so it is best not to risk it.
If you think there is a chance the ceiling fan will get wet, go for wet rated ones. These are so well insulated that you can clean them with a garden hose. So they are perfect for those areas of your outdoor space that have little to no protection from the elements.
Choose an outdoor ceiling fan that is in portion to the size of the space available. It is too large, it will make the space look small. It could also make it uncomfortable as it may move the air around too quickly. You are looking to create a cooling effect not a forceful gale.
You can choose different finishes so you may want to match the style to the type of furniture you are using. For example if you have cast iron chairs on your porch you may want a cast iron ceiling fan. If you have white patio chairs perhaps a white wooden ceiling fan would be best.
Choosing a well known brand will make your life easier. If you choose outdoor Hugger ceiling fans or one of the Hunter outdoor range you will know that if you need parts they will be easy to find. Also choosing to buy Casablanca or Hampton Bay or other well known brands means that you know you are buying quality products that should last. Buying a cheap ceiling fan may end up costing you a lot of money as they may have to be replaced.
Your outdoor ceiling fan must be properly maintained if you expect it to last. This means that you should check and tighten screws and bolts on a regular basis and not just when the fan starts making funny noises!
