The Lowdown on Luxury Ceiling Fans
When shopping for ceiling fans, it will not take long for you to realize that they do not just have to be utilitarian. Ceiling fans can add a lot to the ambiance of your rooms by continuing your design aesthetic. Installing the right ceiling fans can tie everything together with form and function and can work in every area of your home when thoughtfully planned.
Though they are overhead, and not something that are regular topics of conversation, ceiling fans can add a lot of appeal to your home. At Urban Ambiance, ceiling fans are one of our favorite topics and areas of expertise.
Allow us to give you the lowdown on high-end ceiling fans -- which will make your shopping, purchasing, and installation that much easier.
The Various Types and Styles of Ceiling Fans
Thanks to their incredible versatility, any area in your home can benefit from ceiling fans -- provided the right ceiling fan is selected (more about that soon). Here is a brief overview of the different types and styles of ceiling fans you will find at Urban Ambiance:
- Blade Colors - select from various blade colors, such as:
- Beige
- Black
- Bronze
- Gray
- Matte White
- Wood Tones
- Blade Span - you will find ceiling fan blades from less than 23 inches long to blades spanning over 96 inches.
- Finish Tones - choose from a broad variety of finish tones, including:
- Black
- Bronze
- Charcoal
- Chrome
- Iron
- Nickel
- Steel
- Multiple Blades - we have ceiling fan fixtures utilizing from 2 to 12 blades.
You will find styles ranging from vintage and Old World to modern and contemporary themes, giving you a wide array of choices when it comes to selecting ceiling fans at Urban Ambiance.
Selecting the Right Ceiling Fan
When reviewing the various ceiling fans available, you want to balance the function and expression of each area you are improving. Consider these important factors during your selection process:
- Height - you want your ceiling fans low enough to do the job without them intruding too far into the living space.
- Size – an overly small fan in a large room will look lost and not generate enough breeze, whereas a huge fan in a small room can be overbearing, so use our sizing guide (below) to select appropriate fans for each area.
- Placement – It may not always make sense to install all ceiling fans in the center of the room -- place them where people congregate most often.
We also understand the need for flexibility in controlling your fan. Each of our fans has a remote control for ease of use, which can be mounted to the wall as a switch, or handheld-- allowing you to choose what works best for you.
Locations Where Ceiling Fans Can Add Value and Function
There are areas that are commonly thought of as perfect for ceiling fans. Master bedrooms and living rooms are typical candidates for ceiling fans, as their large space more easily accommodates such a fixture while being more likely to benefit from its operation. However, you may have additional areas, such as workrooms or game rooms, which can benefit from the moving air.
For homes with a kitchen and dinette combo areas, a ceiling fan over the eating area is often appropriate; this not only offers a cooling breeze on warm spring or summer days but, it's also a great way to waft lingering cooking odors towards the stove and exhaust system.
Try to view your entire home with fresh eyes, visualizing the presence of a ceiling fan as you enter each area or room; there are more places than you may have initially imagined!
Determining the Proper Ceiling Fan Size For Your Room
With ceiling fans, it is important to effectively circulate and cool the air in certain rooms or areas of the house; this boils down to selecting ceiling fans which will most effectively service the area under consideration. It’s simple to calculate the square footage of the space where you want to install a ceiling fan; with a tape measure and calculator, you'll be done in minutes. Simply measure the length and the width of the room and multiply those values together and you have determined the square footage (a room measuring 8 feet by 8 feet contains 64 square feet: 8 X 8 = 64).
Once you know your square footage, you can determine which blade span will work best for your space and how much air it can move (CFM, or cubic feet per minute) to best meet your needs:
- Under 144 Sq. Ft. - under 42-inch blade span, with a recommended CFM rating between 1,000 and 3,000; typically used in rooms such as:
- Bathroom
- Breakfast Nooks
- Porches
- Small Bedrooms
- Utility Rooms
- 144 to 225 Sq. Ft. - 44- to 50-inch blade span, with a recommended CFM rating between 1,600 and 4,500; typically used in rooms such as:
- Dens
- Dining Rooms
- Kitchens
- Medium-Size Bedrooms
- Patios
- 225 to 400 Sq. Ft. - 50-inch blade span or greater, with a recommended CFM rating between 2,300 and 6,500; typically used in rooms such as:
- Family Rooms
- Gazebos
- Master Bedrooms
- Small Garages
- TV Rooms
- Over 400 Sq. Ft. - 62-inch blade span or greater, with a recommended CFM rating between 5,500 and 13,500; typically used in rooms such as:
- Basem*nts
- Great Rooms
- Large Garages
- Open Floor Plans
Installing a Ceiling Fan
If you love home improvement projects, here is some good news for you: while it involves quite a few steps, a bit of time and patience, and the right tools, you can quickly become a proficient at installing your own ceiling fans. You will need the following tools to get the job done:
- 4-in-1 Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Level
- Needlenose Pliers
- Tape Measure
- Voltage Tester
- Wire Stripper and Cutter
- Wrenches
Rather than offer a condensed instruction set for proper ceiling fan installations, we recommend you follow one of the many guides you can find online; ceiling fan installation tutorial by Family Handyman to be particularly thorough and informative.
If you do not want to install yourself, it is never a bad idea to hire a professional. Most contractors can perform ceiling fan installations at reasonable costs and are a good option for those who want to improve their living spaces but are not into DIY projects.
Troubleshooting Ceiling Fan Installations
Not all ceiling fan installations go smoothly, but if you know the usual problems related to ceiling fan installations, you likely can troubleshoot them on your own. If, after completing your installation, your fan does not start up, your problem is likely one of the following:
- Loose Connections - check all wiring connection to ensure appropriate wires are securely connected.
- Pinched Wires - sometimes a wire can get pinched during installation and will cause the breaker to trip: a careful inspection of all wiring is needed.
- Wrong Wiring Connection - when replacing an existing light fixture, you may mistakenly cross the wires when connecting your new ceiling fan.
Of course, whenever inspecting or testing wiring, be safe! Always turn off current at the breaker box.
Ceiling Fan Care and Maintenance
Another great benefit of having ceiling fans is their ease of care and maintenance; follow these simple guidelines just once a year and you will find the care and maintenance of your ceiling fans is a breeze (sorry, couldn't resist the pun!):
- Cleaning - remove excess dust and dirt from fan blades with a brush, then wipe clean with a damp cloth, letting it dry naturally; while up there, vacuum dust from the fan motor.
- Lubricate the Fan - you will find an oil hole on the top side of the motor; using a light oil (like sewing machine oil), fill the hole to the top and wipe off the excess.
- Tighten Screws - due to its continuous movement, screws may loosen over time, so always check all screws to make sure they are still tight.
- Watch for Wobbles or Movement - if your ceiling fan either wobbles or appears to move sideways, it's likely out of balance; you can get a ceiling fan balancing kit (easy to find at Lowes or other home improvement centers) to help you realign your ceiling fan.
Do not forget to practice sensible safety procedures: this means you should have a sturdy and tall enough stepstool or ladder to safely perform your care and maintenance tasks.
So, there you have it: the lowdown on high-end ceiling fans.
Want to collaborate with our own creative team? We would love it too, so contact us and we can work together to figure out which ceiling fans will work best throughout your own home!
