Best Hardware to Hang a Ceiling Fan

When you hang a ceiling fan, it needs to be right. Use the right support method to assure your fan will stay put, providing air movement and aesthetics too!
#ceilingfan #ceilingfansupport #fansupportbox
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Ceiling fans are hardworking devices that look good too! To assure they can safely stay on duty, they must be installed securely using the right support approach.
Because there is combined static weight and vibration when the fan is being operated, heavier-duty boxes and screws must be used than are typically used for installing outlet, switch, and junction boxes. Fans can weigh from under 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) up to 80 lbs (36 kg), depending on the model and accessories. Add the torsion that occurs when the fan is operated, and the fan better be more than adequately supported and attached to its mounting system!
An electrician friend of mine told me that he has actually encountered fans that were mounted to a “cut-in” box mounted in gypsum board! Only slightly better (but still totally inadequate!) is a single-gang octagon box nailed or screwed to the side of a joist, and the fan attached to that.
While these can work, the risk is too high for you, the fan, and everything else in the way when the fan lets loose and falls!
The right way to install the fan is with boxes that are rated for ceiling fan use and installed with fasteners also rated for the job. This is true both for new and remodel installations.
Even the screws you mount the fan to the box must be a heavier gauge. Most fasteners for light fixtures are #8, but you should use #10 fasteners for fans - and boxes rated for fans will have #10 mounting holes right in them.
Here are some links that you can visit to get more information or purchase these boxes and hardware:
www.homedepot....
www.lowes.com/...
There are essentially two types of fan installation boxes: joist direct mount boxes, and boxes affixed to hardware that allows for fan placement between ceiling joists.
Direct-mount boxes are affixed alongside a ceiling joist or are mounted on a ladder block between two joists. Be sure to use pan head screws, with flat undersides of the screw heads, to attach these types of boxes. Some types have heavy-duty mounting flanges on the sides, others you directly screw the box to the ladder block, and others have a half-box that goes alongside the joist, with the round portion of the box extending ½” (12 mm) down, the same as the thickness of commonly used sheetrock.
Hardware-mounted fan boxes are available for new and remodel construction. Both utilize a crossbar with brackets that “bite” into the joists on both sides. The box can be tightened anywhere along the bar so that you place the fan in other places than alongside the joists. When installed correctly, the box will be suspended ½” (12 mm) below the bottom edge of the joists so that is flush with the ceiling sheetrock.
SPECIAL VIEWER FEEDBACK NOTE: "Am I the only one that will reach in first and feel the sides of the joists to make sure I don't pinch and damage existing wire that might be running along the joist? This is not even mentioned in the instructions for the product." This was an insight supplied by @konradpetz7317. Indeed, it's a good practice to be sure you are not installing the hardware over the top of existing wire running along the ceiling joists. Thanks, Konrad.
The remodel type allows you to insert the bar and box through a 4” (10 cm) round hole, and twist the threaded bar to have the toothed ends embedded in the joists. The box is then wired as normal, and the fan is mounted using #10 screws.
It really pays to do this correctly, and it’s not that expensive for the safety and peace of mind you’ll get.
JUST DO IT YOURSELF!
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[@larrymoore6640]

A very educational video. I liked the fact that you showed and demonstrated each option.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for writing!

[@JoseHernandez.23]

Thanks to this video, I was able to install my Flush Ceiling Fan myself 😂😂 thanks for it.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Love it, great to hear!

[@ryancable1728]

This is the most informational video on this subject that i have seen so far. Great Job and thank you!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad it was helpful!

[@elizabethmartin3054]

Good evening from San Jose , California!! Great illustrations 😃👍🏼!!

[@billhandymanbill2775]

Excellent video. This is the exact way a professional electrician would do the fan box installation! Very detailed and step-by-step approach to make a secure physical connection that subjected to the weight and vibration of the fan.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@avikacreation7826]

Q

[@jfflores7498]

Thanks for Sharing, very Helpful and Big Help for DIY. Great Video

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad to be of help!

[@beerhistory]

Thanks! I just installed a retrofit box today according to your instructions.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Excellent!

[@koehlerjj]

Saved my butt with this. Thank you so much!!! The older I get the more I know I don't know (if that makes sense)

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad to be of help!

[@kevinmchenry1584]

Very clear and very helpful video. Thank you for posting this, it's exactly what I was looking for.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad to be of help! DFJ

[@al52269]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. New subscriber here. The last one on your video is what I need to install my living room light fixture.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for the sub and glad you found this to be helpful! Best, DFJ

[@SlammedZero]

Fantastic video. Very clear and precise. Thanks!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johncollins7981]

All good and nicely done, Farmer Jay. One small note: On the adjustable 24 inch fan hanger, that would be equivalent to 60 cm, instead of "61 mm." 😁😉😎

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks!

[@GoodMemoriesToRemeber]

thank you sir for all your time making this great video

[@DirtFarmerJay]

My pleasure.

[@c-LAW]

Good tips. I went with the brace kit option. The previous ceiling fan electrical box / mount box was worse than a hack.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad you got the fan securely installed!

[@elizabethmartin3054]

Thank you Dirt Farmer Jay 😃👍🏼!!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You bet!

[@MrTomad51]

Good idea. Getting a new ceiling and will haven access to the joists before the Sheetrock goes up!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Yep, that's the easiest way to do it! Best, DFJ

[@ericpera2671]

Thank You for your help...

[@chengpak5663]

Are there a ceiling fan box brace that will work on metal joist with no attic access? Thank you.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

I'm not aware of such a product. All depend on side pressure and attachment to the joists with screws. I did a search and didn't find anything that is specifically designed for the set up you have. If you can reach somehow through the box hole to drive metal screws, that would solve the issue, but that's a tall order. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. DFJ

[@bunnycabbit]

If we have no access to the attic and we're using the last retrofit mount that you turn, how fo we know if we have turned it tight enough? Also, what's with the red markings on the threads? Are they minimum and maximum markings? As said before, I cannot reach the area of the attic where this mount is being installed and the previous homeowners did not install studs in normal fistances so i dont know if they installed the ceiling joists in normal distances. Do i turn it until it can not be turned anymore?

[@busared06]

Couldnt i use a new work joist brace in an old work situation if i have attic access?

[@ApexVideoChannel]

So im wondering your suggestions on using the "expanding" mount in the ceiling of a home that is plaster and lath. It seems this would mess with getting the box flush with the finished ceiling. Thanks in advance!!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

I agree that using the expanding mount would be problematic. This is because the historic method of lath and plaster was to cover the walls and ceiling with lath, leaving gaps between them that the plaster would "mush" through, dry, and grip. These "keys" gripped the backside of the lath near the edges, and the plaster is proud of the lath backs. That means that you'd be at risk of breaking off the back side of the keys and having a section let go. You might be able to install the mount in the midsection of the joists and use a box extension, but I don't know how secure the grips on the end of the mount would be and how prone they would be to spin. I hope this helps. Best, DFJ

[@gasbrakedip_]

Thank you

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You're welcome!

[@p51mustang31]

Great video! How would I adapt this with a decorative Faux (hollow) beam installed on the ridge of the ceiling? The faux beam is not structural so I can attach any mount to it, but I still want to have good access to the electrical box from below.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Wow, that's quite a challenge. Is there a box there now up underneath the faux beam that you are attempting to make use of? Give me a bit more. Best, DFJ

[@virgil3241]

These are great when you are doing it in a finished basement or wanting to add a fixture in a room that had no fixture. etc. But if you have attic access, woulnt adding a 2 x 4 between the trusses be a more solid option like in the first part of your video While some extra work to go up above, etc. I would assume that would even be more solid than the brace.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

I totally agree! A well attached cross block is incredibly strong.

[@virgil3241]

@@DirtFarmerJay I actually saw a setup where they put a 2x4 over the trusses and then another 2x4 vertical. Made it like an I beam of sorts. That way the top portion was drilled into the top of the trusses, not the sides. So made it even stronger. Overkill, maybe, but not much harder to do. I also subscribed

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Details like this greatly increase the quality of the construction. Thanks for subscribing!

[@slimwantedman6694]

Good morning from Southeast South Dakota

[@slimwantedman6694]

Very useful info. I wonder if there was a device to make this job easier on remodel. Looks to save alot of time. Thank you Sir

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Hello there!

[@abacusexpress]

When fully extended the weight carrying capacity is halved , read the instructions carefully and make sure fixture is the correct weight for it

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Right you are. Best, DFJ

[@skipperbentdk]

My instruction just said mount to beam in ceiling, used a finder to locate it. Should I be worried?

[@DirtFarmerJay]

The main idea is assure you have the box securely mounted, and that the hardware to mount the fan unit to the box is adequate. Best, DFJ

[@DonEnCrisis]

While using 24” rafters gap, there is an approximate fan weight that option can support?

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Right at 70 lbs. according to the specifications provided by the retailer.

[@rconger24]

6:47. The plot thickens! No attic access. Or old work between floors.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You've got a challenge! How much space exists between the backside of the ceiling and the underside of the roof or subfloor (if there is a floor above)?

[@iboadaisba08]

Does it work on metal studs as well? Or is there any other option for metal studs?

[@DirtFarmerJay]

If you have access from the attic space, yes. You can screw the mounting plates into the metal ceiling joists. If you don't have access, not really. The base plates for remodeling jobs have prongs on them that bite into the wood joists to hold them in place, and that won't work with steel. Best Regards, DFJ

[@iboadaisba08]

@DirtFarmerJay Thanks for sharing. You have been very helpful.

[@gary24752]

Are there isolator pads to limit how much vibration is transferred to the ceiling joists which is especially important when installing ceiling fans in plaster ceilings?

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Gary, I'm not aware of any, but that's a good question. I wouldn't be surprised if this is an item you could get from a supply house that specializes in renovation and restoration supplies for historic and older buildings. Best, DFJ

[@feyrband]

I've seen these for appliances but not fans. I think they are too thick and might not hold up to being drilled, but they are basically either cork or foam sandwiched between rubber, so you could diy something with sheet a sheet of cork or foam, rubber mat, etc.

[@justinbrewer3288]

You the man

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Aw garsh....

[@nmore69]

This is a perfectly described video . I picked up a ceiling fan brace but realized I should have gotten a remodel one .. thanks again

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You're welcome!

[@MitchellPaulson]

Next question: How to attach the dowrod kit to the retrofitted brace! Plz!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

The down rod kit should come with a mounting bracket that will match up with the mounting holes/screws in the new ceiling fan box. This allows the down rod to be suspended with the bracket attached with heavier screws to the junction/mounting box. The down rod is then threaded with the extended wiring harness, the suspension ball is affixed to the top of the down rod, and suspended in the bracket, and the wiring affixed to the wiring in the box. A trim ring is brought up the down rod to cover the mount, and then the remaining work is done on the lower end of the rod as the fan is set up. I hope this helps! Best, DFJ

[@konradpetz7317]

Am I the only that will reach in first and feel the sides of the joists to make sure I don't pinch and damage existing wire that might be running along the joist. This is not even mentioned in the instructions.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

That's a great insight. Thanks for mentioning it! I'll put it in the video description for that episode.

[@pattylytwyn3800]

what if the hole is already there and the box isn't a ceiling fan box?

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You need to make a determination if the box is adequately mounted and can take the weight of the fan and it's vibration. It is better if the box is removed and a heavy duty box with better fasteners is installed. How is the current one mounted? Best, DFJ

[@adelaferreira4575]

I did all that and still my fan fell down on me,the bracket that attached to the electric box failed and let the hanging ball off ,anyway …

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Yeow, sorry to hear that!

[@mo5746]

You either didn't tighten the box to bracket, or didn't screw the bracket into the joists

[@sciencewizard6959]

I have blown loose insulation on the ceiling, so I cant touch those joists like in the video, also it does not show screwing of the box on the brace, where is which it does not work and I had to stop and return the item

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for letting us know. Best, DFJ

[@edrhyan5352]

I must be missing all the videos of the demonstrator aligning the bracket bolts to the box holes and any tips to make it easier. They all skip this step.

[@guysmiley6152]

Great...but now do it with the wiring

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for the nudge!

[@fooey88]

Shop ghost @ 11:47? 😂

[@DirtFarmerJay]

LOL!

[@sharpshooter012345]

Ghost!? lol

[@frediefarmer]

👍🏽🇺🇸👍🏽

[@truthseekerKJV]

This video doesn't demonstrate an actual install. Kind of a waste of time really.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for stopping by.

[@elizabethmartin3054]

He’s only illustrating how to “prepare” to install a ceiling fan. Not a whole install of fan …there’s other videos available for that particular job