Recommendation for Ceiling Fans & Drop Rod Lengths

Drop Rod Lengths

• A ceiling fan should rest about 7 1/2 to 9 feet from the ground to remain high enough to be out of the way yet low enough to actually make a difference in the room. For example, use a 12-inch drop rod if your ceilings are 9 feet high, or a 24-inch rod if your ceilings are 11 feet high. Much longer drop rods are needed for cathedral ceilings such as in a two-story family room.

Considerations for Sloped Ceilings

• Drop rods allow ceiling fans to be installed on sloped ceilings where the fan cannot be mounted as usual. Shorter rods work for sloped ceilings that aren't too high with a bracket that allows the rod to hang at an angle parallel to the ground. A ceiling fan hung from a sloped ceiling still needs at least 24 inches of clearance on both sides so it doesn't come into contact with the ceiling or walls while in use.

Large Rooms

• Larger rooms require larger, more powerful fans to adequately circulate air and cool the room. Rooms between 225 and 400 square feet require a 52-inch fan. Larger rooms of 18 feet or more would benefit from having two fans placed at even intervals on either side of the room. Typical placement of a ceiling fan in rooms 400 square feet or smaller is in the center of the room where people tend to gather.

Style

• Ceiling fans have come a long way since their inception in style and design. The blades can be made of different materials, shapes or colors. Some fans are made with a particular decor or theme in mind, such as blades with images of princesses or that look like grass to complement a tropical theme. Fans also come in different styles, such as sleek chrome in a modern style or ornate floral carvings to complement a Victorian style.