Ceiling fans are available to buy in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. So sometimes it can be a bit difficult trying to find the right size of ceiling fan required for your home.
In this article, we’ll be explaining in detail how to measure a ceiling fan properly so as to get the right fan for your needs.
Table of Contents
How Do You Measure A Ceiling Fan?
Picking a ceiling fan for your needs goes beyond simply choosing a color and a design you fancy. You probably already know that if you ran a search on “how do you measure a ceiling fan.”
As a bonus, we will be discussing some other features to consider when choosing a ceiling fan besides size. We look at location (where you want the fan installed), color scheme, and other itsy bitsy details.
But since you’re here to learn how to measure a fan, let’s kick off with that:
Step 1
- First, you need to calculate the blade size based on the size of the room.
- Normally, a smaller room needs a smaller fan. So if this is the case, first calculate the square footage of the room the ceiling fan will be placed in.
- Now, calculate the size of the blade.
- For rooms that are less than 75 square feet in size, a blade size between 29 and 36 inches is required.
- For rooms sized between 76 and 144 square feet, a blade size between 36 and 44 inches is required.
- For rooms sized between 144 to 225 square feet, a blade size between 44 and 55 inches is required.
- For rooms sized between 225 to 400 square feet, a blade size between 50 and 72 inches is required.
- For room sizes bigger than 400 square feet, you most likely will need to buy more than one ceiling fan.
Step 2
Your ceiling fan will need to be hung according to the height of your ceiling. We’re very sure that the very last thing you’d want is for your guests to get injured on a ceiling fan that’s hanging too low.
When choosing a ceiling fan, keep at the back of your mind that you will have to hang it at least 7 feet above the floor. If this is not the case, the air circulation it provides will be quite poor.
If your ceiling happens to be less than 8 feet in height, you may need to invest in a low profile ceiling fan as an alternative to a down rod.
Step 3
You will now need to define the size of your downrod. Downrods are critical in ensuring there’s adequate air circulation in the room where a ceiling fan is installed.
If your room’s ceiling is higher than 9 feet, you will probably need to install a downrod.
- If your ceiling is 9 feet height, you will need a 6-inch rod.
- If your ceiling is 10 feet tall, you will need a rod of 12 inches.
- 11 feet ceilings will require a rod of 18 inches.
- 12 feet ceilings will require a rod of 24 inches.
- 13 feet ceilings will require a rod of 36 inches.
Other Factors To Consider When Measuring A Ceiling Fan
1. Obstacles
You’ll need to consider if your ceiling has an obstacle such as an installed fixture. If the ceiling itself is sloping when calculating the length of your downrod, you also need to factor this in.
Depending on if there are any obstacles present, you might need to add an extra inch or two to the length of your downrod to ensure it fits the room flawlessly.
2. Light Kit
If you’re planning on conserving space and including a light kit in your ceiling fan, then the depth of your ceiling will have to be more than you originally planned.
Generally speaking, if your ceiling fan will be installed with a light kit, then your ceiling has to be higher.
To ensure your ceiling fan installation is as smooth as possible, it is advisable to purchase a fan that is already installed with a light kit.
3. Support
Ceiling fans have varying weights so it’s essential that whether you’re buying a small ceiling fan or a large fan installed with a light kit that it can support a new fixture.
There’s no need for you to worry about this because new ceiling fans typically come with a manual which contains the listed recommended support.
Buying the right ceiling fan for any home is easy. You just need to make sure it’s the right size.
How To Choose The Right Ceiling Fan
Trends change constantly. So there are a wide variety of ceiling fan options available to buy in today’s modern-day market. The possibilities are as endless as the buyer’s imagination!
The myriad of options available when buying a ceiling fan can sometimes make it a bit difficult to know the right ceiling fan to choose from. This is one of the reasons this article was written, to help you narrow down your choices.
Before you walk into a showroom or open your laptop to browse the internet, first you need to ask yourself a few questions. This will ensure you filter through the various options and arrive at the best choice possible.
1. What Style Do You Require?
In the last couple of years, fans much larger in size have become even more popular. In the past, styles were only available up to 52-inch blades while today fan blades are available in 60 inches and above.
2. Determine The Best Color Scheme Which Will Work For Your Home
Most ceiling fans are designed to last for a long time which means you may not need to replace the fan unit for a very long time.
It is therefore very important that you choose the right color scheme for your ceiling fan. Ensure that it fits into the existing color scheme in the interior of your house.
Except of course if you want a ceiling fan that deliberately contrasts your existing color scheme! This may be purely for aesthetic purposes or that may be exactly what you’re going for. If this is the case, then by all means, go ahead and buy one like that.
For homeowners who need a large-sized fan but want it to blend into the environment, buy a fan that matches the color of your ceiling.
3. Determine The Size Of Fan Needed
Generally speaking, a big room will need a large sized fan however when you’re faced with a lot of options, it can get pretty confusing fast. Thankfully, you now know just how to size your fan accurately for your needs.
Typical Rooms Ceiling Fans Are Installed
1. Bedroom
There’s the clear benefit of the ceiling fan working to provide soothing air circulation to keep your bedroom cool.
To determine the size of ceiling fan needed for your bedroom, there are two common options available. Regular sized bedrooms between 144 and 225 square feet require a medium ceiling fan sized between 44 and 40 inches (blade span).
2. Living Room
This is another great room to install a ceiling fan because it’s a place often used to relax and entertain friends and family.
This is the one room of the house where the style of the ceiling fan is a critical factor. The rightly styled fan not only adds some style and décor to your house, it can also make a vivid impression in the minds of your guests.
Most living rooms tend to vary greatly in size from the palatial and grand to the simple and modest. Once again, the square footage of your living room will help you to determine the right size of ceiling fan for it.
3. Office
When it comes to installing a fan in your office, it can be a bit tricky. Most business owners don’t want official papers flying off their desks while the fan blows, naturally.
Another cause of concern is whether an office is the best place to install a ceiling fan. This is because of the uncertainty of whether or not the right ceiling fan can be installed to fit into a traditional office space.
The ideal office ceiling fan will not only fit into your office in terms of style and size, it will also provide gentle circulation while being as discrete as possible.
4. Bathroom
This is the one room in the house where a lot of people begin their day so it’s a very important room indeed. It’s where you shower, put on and remove your makeup, prepare for bed, etc. Adequate airflow is, therefore, super important.
You will need a fan that provides both function and form while adding a touch of class to the space. The best part about having a ceiling fan installed in this room is you get to cool down immediately after a very hot shower.
Bathrooms come in a variety of designs and sizes, from large baths to half baths to spa styled and much more. You will need to measure the square footage of this space carefully to ensure you purchase the right size of ceiling fan.
Besides size, for bathroom fans, you will also need to consider the damp and wet ratings of the fan as well as the moisture tolerance. As you know the bathroom is typically a very humid space.
Benefits Of Buying Ceiling Fans
There are a variety of reasons homeowners tend to install ceiling fans in their homes. These reasons range from air circulation improvement to making a striking design statement.
Over the years, fans have been used in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. These spaces include homes, offices, restaurants, etc. They are used mostly to reduce stuffiness and as a source of circulating fresh air around the space.
Fans help to provide constant circulation to make the air in the room more breathable.
For the green folks, fans are eco-conscious so this is an added bonus. They also keep you cool during hot, summer months.
Fans that are set to rotate clockwise during blistering summer heats are effective. The fan movement creates a downward flow of cool air which not only circulates the air but cools it down as well.
(To learn more about which way a fan should turn for the best air circulation, click here to read Which Way Should A Ceiling Fan Turn?)
Fashion-conscious homeowners are not left out as ceiling fans are available to buy in a variety of fashionable styles. They also come in unique designs and colors.
Conclusion
Whatever your tastes, rest assured that you will find a fan that suits your preferences perfectly. Whether you want your fan to be the center of attention in any room or to be inconspicuous and simply practical, you will definitely find the right one to buy.
