When it comes to ceiling fans, flush mount and downrod ceiling fans are the two main types on the market. These two varieties have several differences, but perhaps the most important is that one type cannot be converted into the other. Ceiling fan manufacturers have made it clear that their products are only intended for one or the other. The problem is that many people who buy these fans don’t read the fine print until after they’ve installed them. When they find out they can’t put a downrod on a flush mount ceiling fan, they ask us if there’s anything we can do about it. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it! Keep reading to learn more about whether you can put a downrod on a flush mount ceiling fan.
Can You Put A Downrod On A Flush Mount Ceiling Fan?
A downrod is an essential part of a flush mount ceiling fan. This is to be sure that the fan will not wobble while it is in use. If you are going to install a flush mount ceiling fan, you need to make sure that you have the proper downrod for it. In order to do this, you will need to know how much space you will be using for your fan and what type of fan you are going to install.
What Is Downrod?
A downrod is a short pole that mounts below the ceiling and connects to the fan motor and blades. It is installed on the outlet side of the fan. It is basically another type of mounting hardware, which is used to support the ceiling fan in low-ceilinged areas. In most cases, a downrod is used when the ceiling is too low to accommodate the fan’s hanging hardware. However, its main purpose is to make a ceiling fan operate more efficiently. Downrods are often used with ceiling fans that have a high-velocity air rating (HAF) of more than 218 feet per minute (FPM). Downrods are also used to reduce noise by keeping the fan blades at a lower speed. They are mostly used in residential areas, where you may want to avoid disturbing other residents with an overly loud ceiling fan.
What’s The Difference Between Flush Mount And Downrod Fans?
- Flush-mount fans are installed without any downloads.
- Downrod fans are installed with a downrod that extends a few inches off the ceiling.
- Flush-mount fans have a flush mounting bracket and downrod that attaches to the bracket.
- Downrod fans have an extension rod that is at least 4 inches longer than the minimum clearance distance required for flush mount ceiling fans, which is 6 inches (1 1/2 feet).
- Downrod fans have a metal blade guard assembly that extends beyond the fan blades and is intended to protect people from injury if they should accidentally brush against it while entering or exiting the room where the fan is located.
- Downrod fans also have an optional light kit available for installation with or without downloads, which includes both light kits and light globes of various sizes as well as ceiling hooks for hanging light globes when not in use on your flush mount fan installation site, if you choose to do so.
- Downrod fans are generally easier to install because there is less flexibility needed from the installer in order to accomplish this task than there is with flush mount fans since you will be installing a downrod extension on a ceiling rather than attaching brackets directly onto your wall surface or onto a box spring mounted above your bed frame by using screws through holes in your box spring into wall studs attached directly to your wall surface or into studs attached directly onto your box spring mounted above your bed frame by using screws through holes in your box spring into wall studs attached directly onto your wall surface.
- Downrod fans are generally more sturdy and less likely to wobble when installed above the ceiling than flush mount fans due to the fact that you will be installing a downrod extension on a ceiling rather than attaching brackets directly onto your wall surface or onto a box spring mounted above your bed frame by using screws through holes in your box spring into wall studs attached directly onto your wall surface or into studs attached directly onto your box spring mounted above your bed frame by using screws through holes in your box spring into wall studs attached directly onto your wall surface or into studs attached directly to the ceiling.
- Downrod fans are easier to install because you will not have to account for any possible gaps between the fan and the ceiling when installing it, as is usually the case with flush mount fans, which can become an issue if you have a very low ceiling, since there may be gaps of more than 4 inches when mounting flush mount fans on ceilings that are less than 6 feet tall.
- Downrod fans are easier to install because they do not require any additional holes in the ceiling for mounting, but instead simply require that you attach them securely to their downrods so they do not wiggle lose during use and fall off of the fan during use, while flush mount fans require at least one additional hole in the ceiling for mounting so their brackets can be attached to the ceiling.
How To Install A Downrod On A Ceiling Fan?
- Use a Downrod Bracket
- Install a Downrod Bracket on the Ceiling
- Attach the Downrod to the Fan Motor
- Attach the Downrod to the Blade and Ceiling
- Secure the Downrod with Tape, Locks, or Screws
- Hang the Fan from the Downrod
- Attach the Downrod to the Ceiling with Mounting Hardware
- Use a Downrod Adapter to Mount a Downrod on a Flush Mount Ceiling Fan
- Attach the Downrod to a Fan Motor with Bolts and Nuts and Screws
- Install an Overload Protector at the Outlet of Your Fan 11. Use an Extension Cord for Power.
Summary
When it comes to ceiling fans, flush mount and downrod ceiling fans are the two main types on the market. These two varieties have several differences, but perhaps the most important is that one type cannot be converted into the other. The flush mount fans are mounted directly to the ceiling while downrod fans are mounted to a short pole. Ceiling fan manufacturers have made it clear that their products are only intended for one or the other. The problem is that many people who buy these fans don’t read the fine print until after they’ve installed them. When they find out they can’t put a downrod on a flush mount ceiling fan, they ask us if there’s anything we can do about it. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it!
