Ceiling fans are a great addition to any home or office space in terms of adding style to a space in addition to keeping people cool on hot days. Ceiling fans normally come installed with blades which rotate. The rotation of these blades creates a current of air which ventilates and cools a hot room or space down.
Whether you’ll be installing a new ceiling fan yourself or getting a professional to get it installed, it’s important that you know the important components of a ceiling fan.
In this article, we’ll be explaining what the downrod mount of a ceiling fan is and the various sizes available to purchase. We will also detail any additional information you would need to know before you make a purchase.
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What Is A Downrod Mount Ceiling Fan?
The downrod mount of a ceiling fan is simply a metal pipe. It helps to join the motor housing to the mounting hardware. This helps to stabilize your ceiling fan and reduce the likelihood of the fan wobbling. (Click here to learn how to fix a wobbly fan).
It also helps the airflow to move around properly by making sure there is a reasonably safe space between the ceiling and the blades of the ceiling fan. This distance is usually a minimum of ten inches.
It also helps to make sure there’s a distance between the floor and the blades of the ceiling fan. The minimum space required in this case is seven feet.
Check out the short video below describing the different types of ceiling fan downrods including mounting types.
Now that we’ve established what a downrod mount ceiling fan is, let’s take a look at the different sizes available.
- INDUSTRIAL CEILING FAN: Trend-setting, industrial style. This modern fan flaunts warm rustic, dual-finish rough pine / chestnut blades, a bronze finish motor housing as well as Edison-style light bulbs.
- EDISON BULBS SPECIFICATIONS: Illuminate your space with three E26 / B10 LED bulbs included, clear glass, 25,000 hours lifespan, 2700k, 80 CRI, dimmable 100% to 20%. Lumens (450), Beam Angle (360).
- TRI-MOUNT COMPATIBLE: This fan boasts dynamic hanging abilities. This fan can be mounted with a downrod (standard), angled-mount (sloped) and flush-mount (4” downrod included with purchase).
- QUIET, REVERSIBLE MOTOR: Conveniently quiet, 3 speed - reversible motor. Can be run in the winter to aid in rotating warm air and cutting down on energy costs. Youll love this ceiling fan!
- REMOTE CONTROL INCLUDED: This fans includes 3-speed settings, Smart Sync for quick setup, Walk Away Light Delay and light dimmer. Controlling your ceiling fan has never been easier.
Calculating The Ceiling Slope Required For Your Downrod Mount Ceiling Fan
This is quite an important factor to consider. One reason is that if your ceiling fan is hanging too low, all tall people walking around in your house would be in some serious danger.
“Why,” you may be wondering. This is because they risk getting seriously injured.
On the other hand, if your ceiling fan is hanging too high then it would defeat the purpose of installing a ceiling fan. This is because the airflow would be poor. The ceiling fan additionally would need to put in more work which means it would use up more energy than required. This can be avoidable by simply ensuring that you hang your ceiling fan at the appropriate height.
Please note that for ceilings that are angled or sloped, you would need to speak to a fan specialist to identify what type of down rod length you would need. You can also click here to go through our exhaustive guide on installing ceiling fans on vaulted ceilings if you’re a handy person.
Downrod Mount Ceiling Fan Sizes
Downrods come in a wide variety of lengths and diameters and usually will depend on the kind of ceiling fan you decide to buy or currently use.
Regular ceiling fans normally include downrods which vary in length. Downrods usually range between two inches and ten inches and are appropriate for standard-sized rooms, with ceiling heights of between eight and nine feet.
It’s important to note that downrod mounts can also come in sizes as high as 77 inches although it usually depends on the ceiling fan manufacturer.
Downrod Mount Ceiling Fan Diameter
Downrod mounts are usually available in interior diameters of either half an inch or three-quarters of an inch. Although some manufacturers of ceiling fans offer these mounts in interior diameters of an inch.
When choosing a downrod, especially if it’s after you’ve already bought your ceiling fan, you will need to check that the interior diameter of your downrod is compatible with the ceiling fan you already have.
To avoid the hassle of incompatibility, it’s advisable that you select a downrod also manufactured by the same manufacturer of the ceiling fan you already have.
Threaded Downrods And Non-Threaded Downrods
When you’ve installed your ceiling fan in your house, these two types of downrod mounts are safe to be installed.
They are normally secured using set screws and hitch pins. These tools help to keep the downrod stable and stop it from swaying about.
Calculating The Length Of Downrod Mount For Your Ceiling Fan
The method that is commonly used to determine which downrod length is ideal for your ceiling is as follows:
- Determine the height of your ceiling. Take away the height of your ceiling fan by subtraction. Note that several fans are usually between twelve and eighteen inches and will depend on the type of fan.
- Next, take away the height you want to hang the fan from. It should be about eight feet.
- An example – if the height of your ceiling is 12 feet and the ceiling fan has a height of 12 inches, you will require a downrod that is, 24 inches. This is needed to mount your ceiling fan at least eight or nine feet directly above your floor.
To make life easier for you, we’ve included a chart for you to refer to below:
| Ceiling Height | Pole Length |
| 8’ | 6” |
| 9’ | 12” |
| 10’ | 18” |
| 11’ | 24” |
| 12’ | 36” |
| 13’ | 48” |
| 14’ | 60” |
Flush-Mount Ceiling Fans For Low Ceilings
If the ceiling is less than 8 inches (normally considered to be a low ceiling), it’s advisable that you purchase a flush mount fan. This type of fan is normally attached to the ceiling directly and is usually referred to as a hugger fan.
Due to the fact that these fans do not come with a downrod mount and are quite close to the ceiling, they tend to offer the most distance of safety between the ceiling fan and the floor.
On the flip side, they don’t usually give off the most ideal flow of air because there’s usually inadequate space between the ceiling and the fan blades.
If your ceiling is standard and is a minimum of 8 inches high, it’s advisable that you purchase a ceiling fan with a short downrod rather than a flush-mount ceiling fan.
Generally speaking, a lot of ceiling fans are readily installed on a ceiling which is eight inches in height. This helps to position the fan a distance of at least seven inches overhead of the floor. It’s also an added bonus because it facilitates a better flow of air.
If your ceiling is high and its height is more than eight inches, it’s advisable that your ceiling fan is hung at least eight or nine feet overhead of the floor. This is so that it has a visual appeal while also providing excellent airflow.
We’ve included a chart below which also highlights the floor height your downrod at which your ceiling fan should be mounted for optimum airflow.
| Ceiling Height | Downrod Length | Height Above The Floor |
| Less than 8 feet | Flush mount | 7 feet |
| 8 feet | 3 inches | 7 feet |
| 9 feet | 6 inches | 7.5 feet |
| 10 feet | 12 inches | 8 feet |
| 11 feet | 18 inches | 8.5 feet |
| 12 feet | 24 inches | 9 feet |
| 13 feet | 36 inches | 9 feet |
| 14 feet | 48 inches | 9 feet |
| 15 feet | 60 inches | 9 feet |
| Higher than 15 feet | Talk to a specialist in ceiling fans to get a proper recommendation for the ceiling fan space. | Talk to a specialist in ceiling fans to get a proper recommendation for the ceiling fan space. |
Are Downrod Mount For Ceiling Fans General?
It’s usually not recommended that downrod mounts for ceiling fans be considered general. Put another way, it’s not advisable that you use a different type of downrod with a different type of ceiling fan. Notwithstanding it is actually possible to purchase a working match.
It’s advisable that owners buy a downrod mount for a ceiling fan meant for the exact ceiling fan model we wish to mount.
The first step you need to take is to determine the model and the brand of your ceiling fan so you can know what type of downrod your fan needs.
Some fan models have a particular type of downrod yet most downrods are a match on the condition that it’s made by the same manufacturer.
As soon as you’re able to determine the length needed, in addition to your fan manufacturer, the next step would be identifying the internal diameter. You will also need to determine if you’ll be buying a threaded or non-threaded downrod, including the finish and the color.
Finish And Color Of Downrod Mount Ceiling Fans
Like we’ve mentioned earlier, it’s advisable that you select a downrod that was also manufactured by your ceiling fan manufacturer. This is to make sure that the motor housing and the finish of your downrod match.
Some manufacturers of ceiling fans may not make available downrods in different types of finish. They may, on the other hand, make available a finish that is similar to make sure there’s some coordination.
A lot of ceiling fan brands make available for selection, downrod sleeves, located above the housing of the motor. This helps to add eye-catching decorative detail.
