How To Hang A Ceiling Fan Without A Stud/Joist
I don’t know virtually you, just an off-heart fan sounds similar a nightmare. I get it, roughly open up plan spaces are compartmentalized, which would balance everything out, simply having to make it but because the ceiling joist isn’t in the “right” home? Not happening.
If you lot are like me too prefer centered ceiling fixtures, you lot might be in the same boat: wondering what to do when in that location is no joist at the midpoint of the room’sec ceiling. Thankfully, manufacturers accept come up across this job too created a groovy solution to it also.
A ceiling fan tin can easily be installed without anchoring it direct to a roof joist. This is done past using a ceiling fan distich, a device alongside a metal shaft in addition to a bracket. It is suspended betwixt 2 joists too the fan box is secured to the bracket. This tin too live done with or without attic access.
Difference Between Stud together with Joist
You volition notice that the championship mentions both studs together with joists. Many people, myself included, have been confused every bit to the divergence between the terms, using them interchangeably. The truth is, however, that these are two dissimilar things.
Both studs as well as joists are institute in framing as well as they are supporting beams. However, when we verbalize almost studs, we refer to the vertical beams in walls. Joists are the horizontal beams establish in ceiling structures.
No Attic Access: Use a Ceiling Fan Brace
What Is a Ceiling Fan Brace?
A ceiling fan twosome is an adapter for mounting a ceiling fan, comprised of a metallic shaft alongside an inner subway for extension as well as a bracket (too known as a saddle).
Different braces may have different ratings, just if you lot follow the manufacturer’s recommendation, they will live stiff plenty to back up the right fan.
Connected to the shaft is the mounting bracket. This is what the fan junction box is attached to. It has space for the home wires to be threaded through to achieve the junction box and fan motor.
How Does It Work?
The ceiling joists are the only office of the roof construction that tin can back up the weight of the ceiling fan. However, this is problematic when yous are trying to place a fan inward a room and the joists have a pre-prepare place that doesn’t cater to the fan placement.
This predicament is solved past the role of a ceiling fan couplet.
The metal shaft is designed to work the distance betwixt 2 ceiling joists, together with it is screwed inward home on either stop. The inner subway system twists in too out to adapt a range of distances between ii next joists.
Because the dyad is connected to two joists, it volition provide the necessary support for the duo to concur the weight of the ceiling fan. Generally, mounts are rated for upwardly to l lbs; beyond that, yous will take a special span for your fan.
A ceiling fan bracket is helpful in that it prevents your ceiling from caving nether the weight of the fan, and it besides helps preclude the fan from wobbling on an unstable/unbalanced anchor signal.
What Sizes Are Available?
Your joists necessitate to live relatively close together for the mounting arrangement to go. This is because of how expansion affects the weight-bearing of the twosome. Most braces tin can expand betwixt xvi″ in addition to 24″.
Few fans pass a weight of l lbs, which means that the mountain needs to be able to support this weight, non solely when static (standing nevertheless) merely likewise when inward movement.
The wider the duet is expanded, the lighter the fan y'all are installing needs to live. Most braces tin support a fan of more or less lxx lbs at sixteen”, simply solely or so 35 lbs at 24”.
Best Three Options
There are many unlike braces, merely I have included iii that many people role as well as seem to similar.
one. Hubbell Raco 936 Retro-Brace
The Hubbell Raco yoke (amazon link) is made from steel alloy in addition to tin can live used for mounting fans as well as light fixtures when ceiling access is limited. It’sec intended to live easily installed too comes amongst the necessary hardware (such equally screws as well as bolts) as well as instructions for the task.
Pros
- xvi-24” expansion.
- It can back up a fan of upward to seventy lbs at xvi” expansion.
- It comes amongst hardened screws to provide further support for the fan or fixture.
Cons
- It can exclusively back up 35 lbs at 24” expansion.
- It alone has iii bottom knockouts for wiring.
ii. Westinghouse Lighting 1400000 Saf-T-Brace
The Westinghouse Lighting 140000 brace (amazon link) is an slowly-to-install metal dyad that is designed to work equally a universal couple that can arrange all fan models. It comes packaged with all the hardware required to install the appliance as well as tin be used without attic access.
Pros
- xvi-24” expansion.
- It tin can back up upward to seventy lbs at xvi” expansion.
- It has vi conduit spaces inwards the bracket.
Cons
- It can back up less weight the further it is expanded.
three. Westinghouse Lighting 0110000 Saf-T-Brace
The Westinghouse Lighting 0110000 couple (amazon link) is a metal brace that is intended equally a universal mount and tin can live used for installations without attic access. It is designed to live slowly to install and contains the necessary hardware together with instructions for the installation.
Pros
- 16-24” expansion.
- It can back up a fan of up to lxx lbs at 16” expansion.
- It has six conduit knockouts.
Cons
- Weightbearing capability decreases with expansion length.
What You Will Need For Installation
Below are approximately tools yous volition as well as may postulate depending on the state of affairs of your projection.
| Item/Tool | View on Amazon |
| Adjustable wrench | View |
| Drill (cordless) | View |
| Drywall cutter/keyhole saw | View |
| Dust mask | View |
| Headlamp | View |
| Ladder | View |
| Pliers | View |
| Safety spectacles | View |
| Screwdriver | View |
| Stud finder | View |
| Voltage tester | View |
| Wire cutter in addition to stripper | View |
Hanging a Ceiling Fan With a Brace
1. Turn off the Power
Before working alongside whatever wiring, you lot should shut off the ability at the breaker box. After shutting off the power, you lot should as well examination the wires with a electric current detector or voltage tester to ensure no wires are alive (which tin pass when in that location are faults) and it’second safety to begin.
You volition live connecting the fan to “home” wires that take (ideally) been work/laid/installed by a licensed professional.
You should continue the power off until you take completed the installation, every bit even if you lot are done alongside the wiring, you lot are withal working amongst the metal casings too components of the fan unit of measurement.
If yous go concerned or unsure almost the wiring or your electric organisation at whatever point, delight call a professional forthwith. Electricity is hazardous together with can significantly harm you lot together with your family.
ii. Measure How Big the Hole Must Be
The twain tin live installed without attic access, but it will take to get through a hole in your ceiling (around products may indicate the size). However, the junction box besides needs to agree through this hole.
Measuring the box will say y'all what size y'all necessitate to brand the opening. You tin either function the box itself or mensurate the size of the box. Then, one time you take established how big to brand the opening, you can mensurate out too grade the dimensions using a mensuration record or ruler (or the box!) too pencil.
A drywall saw is the best tool for the cutting procedure, only yous tin role an appropriate alternative if you lot have one. This volition probably live quite messy, with a lot of dust. I recommend laying downward a tarp under the operate area as well as wearing protective eyewear and a mask.
A vacuum would besides come up in handy. You can function it every bit local extraction if y'all tape the host to the summit of the ladder or have person agree it virtually the ceiling for you lot while the hole it existence cut.
three. Locate the Joists
You involve to know where your ceiling joists are sitting inward guild to secure the couple to them. You may take already done this to know that y'all ask a ceiling fan duet, simply you are going to require to repeat it for the placement of your fan.
A stud locator is the best tool hither (unless you accept the gift of 10-ray vision), which volition enjoin yous where the joists are through the ceiling boards. You volition involve to score where the joists are on either side of the spot you plan to install the ceiling fan.
You will and then ask to measure the distance between the joists to know how far y'all will call for to expand your distich.
4. Install the Ceiling Fan Brace
Insert the distich’sec beam through the hole inwards the ceiling by feeding one cease into the ceiling too so rotating it into place.
On either arm (or terminate) of the twosome, there are teeth that assistance lock the duet inward place when yous twist it into position. There are too piddling legs on each finish that will residual against the ceiling together with agree it inward home patch you screw the twosome into the joists.
You will take to tighten the duet immediately that it is inwards home amongst a wrench (or suitable pliers).
Note: make sure you lot aren’t placing the beam as well high upwards on the joists. The bracket rim must align alongside the ceiling.
The bracket tin can and so live attached to the metallic pole (generally amongst a U-bolt around the beam), screwing it into home. Slot the bolt through the beam earlier lifting the bracket onto it in addition to tightening the nut to secure everything. This is what the fan box attaches to. It might have a comprehend plate that levels out the ceiling too covers wires, only not ever.
It should live secure if your dyad too bracket are house too don’t wobble or shift upward as well as downwards when y'all endeavor and wiggle it all. Remember, it needs to hold the weight of the fan! If you lot have non tightened the connections enough, the system will feel unstable.
five. Attach Junction Box to Bracket
Now, you tin can attach the fan’sec junction box to the bracket of the mount. These brackets are mostly designed to adapt multiple fan models, then it is only almost connecting according to how the box fits.
You will postulate to screw the box into place as well as thread the relevant wires through the bracket for the fan motor.
This is the pace when yous attach the bare copper wire from the cable to the box’s grounding screw. You should solely involve to twist it around the screw.
six. Hang the Fan Motor
When you lot have a downrod, y'all will postulate to thread the wires through the pole to the fan motor that will attach at the opposite cease where the rod is attached to the junction box. If you take to cut any of the wires, live certain to exit it long plenty that 6” of length will protrude from the downrod.
You tin role wire strippers to take near 0.five” of insulation off the ends of the wires as well as thread it all through the rod, earlier tightening the rod onto the motor. You volition necessitate to place the setscrew (that yous will take removed earlier) onto the motor coupling, together with yous should complete off by tightening it will some pliers.
You should likewise check the manufacturer’sec instructions for if the cowl (this covers the hole in the ceiling) needs to be pose onto the fan earlier yous attach it to the mounting bracket. But mostly, you pull everything through the cowl too only residue it on the motor unit of measurement until later.
Now you lot ask to slot the motor together with all its add together-ons into the bracket together with rotate it until it clicks into place.
vii. Connect the Wiring
Now you volition call for to connect the wiring for the different aspects of the fan. Depending on where you lot alive, yous may involve this done past a licensed professional. Or, yous may postulate to accept a professional sign-off on the electric work for compliance purposes.
However, you lot can make the wiring yourself if you are confident inward your skills. Note: it’second of import to continue the grounding wires separate from the others past putting them on contrary sides.
The following is the basic wiring lead for a remote-controlled fan. If yours doesn’t have this role, it should live uncomplicated enough to meet which steps to skip or arrange.
Fan as well as Receiver
Connect the bracket, ceiling, together with downrod grounding wires together amongst a wire nut. Now, you lot are playing a color-matching game betwixt the fan wires in addition to the receiver “to motor” wires, which you lot will connect amongst wire nuts.
Connect the following wires alongside wire nuts:
- Black fan + dark receiver “to motor”.
- White fan + white receiver “to motor”.
- Blue fan + blueish receiver “to motor”.
Receiver too Supply
Now you lot are matching ceiling in addition to receiver wires. Connect the following wires alongside wire nuts:
- Black ceiling + black receiver “air conditioning inward”.
- White ceiling + white receiver ‘air-conditioning inward”.
Push these upwardly into the outlet box, only take tending to go on the grounded and ungrounded wires sort too non let whatsoever of the connections become caught or pinched.
Wall Controller
Lastly, you lot involve to wire the wall control if y'all have it. Open the switch plate and draw the wires free and so you tin work with them.
Connect:
- Black wires in the bracket.
- Wall switch grounding wires + 2 greenish outlet box wires.
You can force these connections into the outlet box. The wall command must live screwed into place inwards the bracket, in addition to so yous tin supersede the switch plate.
There tin as well be variations to the wiring organization if it has whatever extra features. For example, if it has a calorie-free included.
viii. Secure the Cowl
Once you lot accept connected the wires, make certain they are pushed into the box. Now it is fourth dimension to secure the cowl or canopy to the ceiling. This is a decorative complete for the fan that covers the wiring in addition to opening at the ceiling as well as makes it all await corking.
You volition ask to screw this into place over the fan motor. You will postulate to slide it upward to the bracket and align the screw holes on the two pieces. Then it is a simple affair of fastening the screws.
But be aware and check the manufacturer’sec instructions; close to models take yous to jibe the cowl to the unit of measurement earlier attaching it to the mounting bracket.
nine. Attach the Blades
The final thing to make for assembling your fan is attach the fan blades. Ensure that the fan’sec switch is in the off position, just to live prophylactic then that the blades won’t commencement turning with your fingers nearby if there is an electric glitch.
To attach the blades, you require to connect the blades to the blade irons (or brackets) every bit this is the part that is screwed onto the fan motor. Screw the paddles on, only don’t tighten the screws fully until all blades are in home. Check that everything is secure.
You tin also double-cheque the wall, flooring, and ceiling clearances. I take written an article on ceiling fan clearances, which provides the unlike clearance ranges in addition to assistance with choice ceiling heights.
You tin attach the light fixture and bulbs at this bespeak if they are part of the fan unit of measurement.
ten. Turn on the Power and Check the Fan Works
After securing everything inwards home, the concluding footstep is to plow the ability dorsum on too test whether the fan is operational. Ensure that the fan’second switch is “off” and that all hands, heads, too tools are clear of the fan before restoring the power.
Once the power render for the fan is on, you tin check if the fan industrial plant. Try switching the fan through all its modes too functions. The blades should be rotating smoothly, there should live no wobbling or shifting, in addition to there should be no loud clicking, scraping, or clunking sounds.
Alternative When There is Attic Access
The pair organization is nevertheless a functional solution, but when you lot take attic access, you lot take the pick to alter the procedure past adding close to structures in to assistance amongst the installment.
You tin all the same but install the mounting pair betwixt two joists, simply you lot can do this from the attic side. Or y'all can alter the above steps slightly.
With attic access, you have the power to secure a wooden block betwixt ii joists inwards the vicinity of the fan’sec placement. Then, y'all tin straight screw the fan’second junction box onto this block, which would act inward the same function equally a duet (if yous make certain it is stiff plenty!). This would supplant steps 4 and 5 of the to a higher place procedure, just the residuum remains the same.
Sources
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-install-a-ceiling-fan-distich/
https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/169014/is-a-ceiling-fan-box-span-required
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ceilings/21016468/how-to-install-a-ceiling-fan
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-a-ceiling-fan-bracket.htm
https://www.bhg.com/domicile-improvement/electric/installing-ceiling-fan-box/
https://www.delmarfans.com/train/basics/how-to-install-a-ceiling-fan/
https://www.bestreviews.direct/ceiling-fan-mounting-bracket
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