Everything You Need to Know About Low-Profile Ceiling Fans
Sometimes, ceiling fans are not long enough to meet your needs. If they are too far off the ground, they could run at full power and still fail to substantially decrease the room's temperature. In these situations, you must find one that attaches to the ceiling but still hangs far enough down that.
Other times, you may have the opposite problem. Instead of suffering from a high ceiling, your room's ceiling might not be high enough for the average fans. That is where low-profile ceiling fans come in. We will share everything you should know about this type of fan here.
What are Low-Profile Ceiling Fans?
Many fans jut out from under the ceiling. The part responsible for this is the long stick known as the downrod. It serves as the bridge between the fan and its base, and it can add several inches to the overall length. Many people take the presence of this piece for granted simply because many fans come with it as part of their design.
However, not all of them are quite like this. Some fans feature much shorter downrods. Others even completely exclude the downrod altogether from their design. Instead of requiring a protruding pole to connect them, the latter type attaches directly to the base. They are known as flush mount ceiling fans, or "huggers" for how they hug the surface.
All these types — the ones with short downrods and the ones with no downrods — are collectively known as low-profile ceiling fans. The term does not refer to aesthetic appearance or lack of ornamentation, but the amount of space between the fan and the ceiling. Otherwise, they function as any other contraption of their kind would and encourage airflow within a living space.
Why Would Anyone Want One?
Unfortunately, airflow is a disadvantage for low-profile ceiling fans. Their closeness to the surface means less room for air to be whipped around up there and bounce off the ceiling. The result is less airflow compared to other fans of a similar size, strength, and blade length. That, in turn, means it is a little less effective at cooling a room.
The strengths may more than makeup for that weakness. Consider this: ceiling fans should be installed to hang at least seven feet over the floor. That is a general rule of thumb, but it may be enshrined in the building codes that govern your residence. If the distance between a room's ceiling and the floor is 7.5 or 8 feet, the average ceiling fan will not suffice. The downrod would make it too long to meet that standard.
Low-profile ceiling fans are the solution to that problem, cutting down on the downrod's size or removing its necessity. When you get one, you can install a serviceable device that lowers the room's temperature without hanging too low.
Tips for Shopping and Installation
If you have been looking to outfit small rooms with a means of increasing airflow, low-profile ceiling fans may do the trick. Now you just have to find one — and not just any will suffice. Here is our professional advice on finding the fan that meets the needs of your living space.
Know the Types of Fans
We can never be too sure when giving advice, so we just want to make it clear to everyone reading this. No, you cannot simply decide not to install a downrod on a regular fan. The way it attaches to both the fan and the base is too integral to just opt out of using it. You must shop specifically for a low-profile ceiling fan.
With that said, one type of low-profile fan does give you the option. Dual mount fans feature flexible designs that allow them to work with the included downrod or without it. Again, though, make sure to look at the packaging first and see what type of fan it is before buying anything.
Remember the Walls
Although we have mentioned it frequently in this article, height is not the only measurement to keep in mind when looking for a ceiling fan. You must also make sure that once installed; every part of the fan is at least 18 inches from the walls or any nearby objects.
Visualize the space beforehand: is there anything that touches or almost touches the ceiling? Bookshelves, cabinets, and other kinds of furniture could receive damage from fast-spinning blades. So can people, for that matter. This advice goes for any kind of fan, of course, but it is especially important with fans that are relatively close to the ground.
Get the Right One for Your Ceiling
Does one end of the room have a higher ceiling, or is it flat and level all the way across? The answer affects your options more than you may think. Not all low-profile fans are created equal. As you work to limit the space between fan and ceiling, you must also make sure the blades do not knock against the ceiling.
Flush mount fans require a level surface for attachment. If your ceiling slopes at all, you need a downrod long enough that the blade tips are far from the lower part of the ceiling. You may use a low-profile fan with a short downrod for either type, but that depends on the height of the room.
Check the Base Before Attaching
The ceiling fan installation process will be almost the same for low-profile ceiling fans as for other types. You just have to skip the steps involving the attachment of the downrod for flush mount devices. What does not change is the need to be careful. If anything, that need is only heightened.
After removing the old fan and installing the new base, make sure it is not even the tiniest bit lose. Try to jiggle it and tighten it at the slightest hint of movement. Add spacers between the base and the ceiling if needed. Only after triple-checking for stability can you go ahead and connect the fan.
Fans for Low Ceilings at Trading Post Fan Company
Low-profile ceiling fans are the ideal solution for providing airflow to rooms that cannot have conventional fans. For that reason, we offer over 1000 high-quality examples of this category here at Trading Post Fan Company. Browse our sprawling inventory today and find the perfect fans for your home.