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What Size Ceiling Fan For Patio

Transform Your Patio With An Outdoor Ceiling Fan

Huge 120 inch patio ceiling fan review

A patio or outdoor space is one of the most tranquil areas of a home. Its where you can sip your morning cup of coffee, host friends and family, or relax on a peaceful evening. There are several ways to enhance your favorite outdoor space, like adding cozy furniture and beautiful plants and flowers. But one of the best ways to make it uniquely yours, and keep it comfortably cool year-round, is by adding an outdoor ceiling fan.

Outdoor Ceiling Fan Buying Guide

Looking for an outdoor ceiling fan but not too sure where to start? Here at Universal Fans we have a wide range to select from and the expertise to help you make the best choice for your application. Whether it be a pool area, verandah or patio well find your ideal fan to keep you cool whilst entertaining in the summer months.

It may be a little overwhelming at first, but to make it a whole lot simpler weve outlined the key considerations when trying to figure out a perfect balance between what you need for your space feature wise and what you want in terms of aesthetics.

How To Measure A Ceiling Fan

If you are noticing that your existing ceiling fan isnt moving the air in your room to your expectations there is a chance it is due your ceiling fan blades and their size. A ceiling fans blade span is an important indicator of its CFM and the room size that it should be placed in.


Knowing how to measure your fan will help determine whether your fan is the correct size and CFM for your room. Alternately, if you are happy with the performance and proportional look of your existing ceiling fan and you just want to know the current measurements, it is helpful to know how to measure a ceiling fan.

As you can see in the graphic above, there are two separate ways to measure your fans existing blade span. If your fan has an odd number of blades, you will measure the distance from the center of the fan to the blade tip and then multiply the number by two. On the other hand, if you have an even number of blades, you will measure the distance between opposing blades, or blades that are symmetrically placed in front of one another on opposites sides of the motor housing.

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What Size Ceiling Fan Do You Need

For maximum efficiency, choose an appropriate ceiling fan size for each room. Installing a fan that’s too small for the space won’t circulate air effectively to make the room feel cool. Alternatively, if you install a fan that’s too large for the space, it could overpower the room, even on a lower setting. Use our ceiling fan size guide to determine what size ceiling fan you need for your room.

Vaulted Or Angled Ceilings

Quorum International Pinnacle Patio Outdoor Ceiling Fan ...

Some outdoor spaces have vaulted or angled ceilings. When you install a ceiling fan on an angled ceiling, its blades are closer to the ceiling than the fans center. This proximity depends on the slope of the roof and the height of the fans downrod.


Lets consider how air flows for a ceiling fan installed on an angled ceiling. In most cases, only one side of the fan is close to the ceiling, so the airflow gets obstructed there. However, the other sides of the fan have ample room to let air move. Therefore, an angled ceiling provides enough room for airflow even though one side of the fan is very close to the ceiling.

So how far away should a fan be from a vaulted or an angle ceiling? There is no minimum distance, the only thing to make sure is that the fan blades shouldnt touch the ceiling when running.

The length of the downrod required for a vaulted or angled ceiling is calculated by dividing the multiple of the fans blade span and the rise of the room by the full length of the room across the slope.

For example, if the room is 15 x 15 and the ceilings rise is 7.5 , then for a 60-inch fan, the minimum downrod length should be 7.5 x 5 /15 = 2.5 feet.

Whether indoor or outdoor, the fan should not be installed at the top point of a vaulted ceiling. Due to the vaulted shape, the hot air will be trapped at its apex. So fan installed at this point will be pushing down hot air instead of creating a cool breeze.


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What Are The Different Types Of Outdoor Ceiling Fans

You already know the importance of choosing the right type, here are our two cents about a few primary types of outdoor ceiling fans:

Standard Outdoor Ceiling Fans

A standard ceiling fan is just your average fan with a motor and blades. However, it may or may not hang from a rod thats a bit long. These are usually fine to go with for your outdoor settings, unless you need a hugger ceiling fan.

Hugger Ceiling Fans

A hugger ceiling fan is basically the same as your standard ceiling fan, its just that it hangs very close to the ceiling, providing you more headroom if your porchs roof isnt that high.

Ceiling Fans with Light Kits

To make things fancier, some ceiling fans come with a holder for light bulbs in the center. If you’re planning to revamp your existing outdoor sitting space, attiring it up with a ceiling fan of this sort is a great idea.;


How To Operate The Ceiling Fan

Newer models come with more options than the standard pull chain to turn them on and off. The most convenient option available is a remote control operated ceiling fan. This means you can turn your fan on or off from your couch or bed. In most cases, even if the fan does not come with a remote control option, you can add this feature yourself by buying a remote device that matches the brand and model of your fan.

You may also want to read online reviews for the models of fans that you are considering before buying anything. Even if you arent going to buy your fan online, you can still check out reviews left by customers. You can often find out a great deal about a product this way, both good and bad things. For example, you may find out that your top choice can be noisy. Hopefully, you will find a model you like that also has lots of great reviews.

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Choosing An Outdoor Patio Fan

There are several styles of outdoor patio fans, and the best one for you will depend on the layout of your space and how much breeze you want to create. Some options, such as ceiling fans, need to be hardwired into your homes electrical service, requiring more complicated installation. Others are plug-and-play models that are ready to go right out of the box.

You also should consider whether you want additional features such as misting, remote control or oscillation. And, of course, theres always the matter of finding a model that matches the style of your home outdoor decor.


What Else Can I Do To Choose The Right Outdoor Ceiling Fan

52″ FASCO Charleston and Craftmade CXL and Outdoor Patio Fan ceiling fans

Outdoor ceiling fans come in a lot of varieties since the outdoor space requires profound airflow, the most common types of outdoor ceiling fans have five blades. But the blades can vary and a ceiling fan with just three blades could do the job as well.

However, things like blade span, distance from the floor, pitch, speed, and even the size of a fan, these all are important factors that contribute towards building a richer, cooler airflow. Following are a few tips to help you narrow down your options in even further:

  • Choosing the right size goes both ways; you dont want to end up choosing a too-large fan for your small space or the noise and air will become uncomfortable.
  • Choosing a fan with a greater number of blades will create more air but it will be noisier. Thats particularly why mostly outdoor ceiling fans have more blades – the outdoor space accommodates the extra noise.
  • Bigger outdoor spaces should be accompanied by two or more ceiling fans.

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Motor Size And Blade Pitch

Not all fans are created equal, so you need to make sure you know what you are buying.

Look for the motor size and blade pitch on each model and compare. The motor is the most important piece of the fan, so if youre spending a lot of money, youll want to make sure youre getting a premium fan motor.


For blade pitch, the higher the pitch, the more air a fan will move.

Take into consideration the room size and the way the room will be used when looking at a fan. For example, with a small bedroom you might not require a larger fan.

What Size Ceiling Fan For Garage

The perfect space for work benches, storage, and other activities, your garage should offer a cool climate for any time that you may be spending within its walls. Whether you are going to the garage for a little bit of fun or to get some overdue work accomplished, you should be comfortable. Like other rooms which are exposed to moisture, you will want to make sure you look at ceiling fans with UL wet or damp listings. In our “Indoor vs. Outdoor Ceiling Fans Where to Use Guide it is recommended that ceiling fans being installed in carports and garages carry a UL damp listing.

When sizing your damp-rated ceiling fan for your garage, most standard garages will require a large ceiling fan with a blade span of 50 to 60 inches. For a large garage with square footage over 400, a great-sized fan with a blade span of over 62 inches is recommended. Make sure to check the table above before deciding on your new fans size.

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What Size Ceiling Fan For Living Room

A common place to entertain guests or to simply relax is often the living room or family room. When searching for the perfect ceiling fan for your living room, an emphasis is often placed on the style of the fan to ensure it makes a lasting impression and matches the current décor. While this is certainly a valid focus of the decision, its easy to focus on only the look of the fan and not account for the size of your fan or the CFM required to cool the room.

Living rooms, great rooms, and family rooms range vastly in size. To find the right size ceiling fan for your living room it is essential that you focus on the square footage of your room and follow the table above. By finding the appropriate blade span and CFM for your living room you will ensure that your room is cooled effectively.

Which Brands Offer The Best Large Models

Georgia Patio Ceiling Fan by Quorum International at ...

There is really no easy answer to that question. Many brands offer a variety of large, oversized ceiling fans. Most of the big name brand models are good, and some are even great in quality. However, hidden within some of the name brand companies selections are lower priced models that just do not get the job done.

A lower priced fan in this class will usually be $500 or less. Most, if not all in that price range are promotional models.

If I were to recommend name brands to consider for fans with large blade spans, my advice would be to stick with one of the models from TroposAir, Minka Aire, or Fanimation. All three companies offer some of the best quality big blade fans out there, and they tend to stay away from promo models, which could likely give the companies a bad name.

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Best Ceiling Fans For Your Space

Ceiling fans;circulate air to keep any area of your home comfortable and to help you save on your energy bill. They can also add an extra touch of style to your home decor. Whether you’re replacing an old fan, updating an existing room or building a new home, this guide will help you find the best ceiling fans for your style, ceiling height, size of your space and your budget.;

When choosing a new ceiling fan, it’s important to think about where you plan to hang it. Will the ceiling fan installation take place in a living room or are you searching for the best outdoor ceiling fan to cool off things on your patio?;

Wet/damp ratings indicate whether a ceiling fan is recommended for indoor or outdoor purposes. If you plan to hang a ceiling fan inside a damp area, such as the bathroom or outdoors, you will need to find one that meets UL’s wet/damp rating. A damp rating means the fan can be used in areas with excessive moisture, but covered, such as on a covered patio or in a bathroom. A wet rating means the fan can withstand direct rain, snow or excessive moisture as in an open gazebo.;

Tip: While an outdoor fan can be used indoors, an indoor ceiling fan should only be hung inside your home.;

Because the ceiling fan’s main purpose is to circulate air and regulate the temperature in a room, it’s important that your fan size matches your room size.;

For any room larger than this, consider using two fans to move air around the room.

Learn The Recommended Size For Every Space In Your Home

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Once you install a ceiling fan, you will never want to go back. These simple devices that attach to your ceiling double-task by keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter by reversing the fan direction. As long as electricity is in place, ceiling fans install relatively easily. But the best part is the energy savings. You’ll be able to trim back expensive heating and cooling bills with ceiling fans installed in key areas of your home. Consider that a mid-sized 44-inch ceiling fan draws just 45 watts for an estimated annual energy cost of between $10 to $15.

Ceiling Fan Sizes Per Room
Room
Up to 50 square feet Below 29 inches
50 to 75 square feet 29 to 36 inches
Medium bathroom, bedroom, home office 75 to 175 square feet 42 to 48 inches
175 to 350 square feet 52 to 56 inches
Large living room, room with high ceiling Over 350 square feet 60 inches or greater

To work efficiently, ceiling fans need to be correctly sized for each area of operation. This means matching the diameter of the fan blade span with the room and determining fan drop height to match with ceiling height.

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Q: How Should I Select The Size Of My Fan

Youll want to first consider the space in question. The larger the space, the larger your fan should be.

  • Spaces up to 75 square feet: 29-36 fans
  • Spaces up to 75-144 square feet: 36 to 42 fans
  • Spaces up to 144-225 square feet: 44-inch fans
  • Spaces up to 225 400 square feet: 50 54 fans

Also remember that when youre mounting your fan, that you consider the clearance area. Youll want the fan to be at least 12 inches from the ceiling, too.

Thats why so many of the manufacturers include a downrod. Also remember to keep all blades at least 24 inches from any walls.

How Much Am I Able To Spend

52″ Craftmade Outdor Patio Fan and CXL ceiling fans

If looking for a damp rated fan you will see that we have a range of budget options that you may wish to take a look it, some well under $200. However, outdoor fans especially when needing one with an IP rating can be dearer in comparison to a standard indoor ceiling fan. This is due to the use of weather resistant materials and the enclosure protecting the motor. But in this instance, think of it as an investment towards a long-lasting ceiling fan that will be able to withstand environmental conditions for a considerable amount of time.

If you need any assistance or have any questions regarding our range feel free to give us a call on 03 9095 6933 or if youre located in Melbourne, visit our showroom today where we have a wide range of these fans on display!

INFORMATION

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Blade And Housing Finishes

Ceiling fan colors and housing finishes set the tone of your space. For example, white ceiling fans complement most ceilings and instill a classic finishing touch in any room. Black ceiling fans make a bold statement, bringing an edgy and sophisticated look to spaces. Brass finishes and brushed nickel complement other hardware in your room. Finishing touches like ceiling fan glass shades and fan caps and finials also help refine the look of a fan and tie the overall design scheme together.

Step 4.

Choosing The Right Ceiling Fan

Getting a ceiling fan with an attached light may be something you want to consider. Combination fans, which also have light, are becoming more popular because they are an efficient use of space. With these type of fans, you can choose both the style of fan and the type of lighting you prefer. This also gives you the bonus of getting two appliances in one.

Some models offer up lighting, which gives a room a pleasing, romantic quality. Of course, if you are already satisfied with the lighting in the room, and only want a ceiling fan for cooling purposes, then you can choose a simpler model that doesnt come with lighting. Therefore, choosing a fan can be challenging these days unless you have done your homework well. Below are some key points to take into account when shopping for a ceiling fan.

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