How to Install a Ceiling Fan

By: Joseph Truini, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. FAN-RATED 1/2-INCH-DEEP PANCAKE BOX

2. MEDALLION
made of rigid foam, not plaster, which may crack

3. FAN BLADES

4. FAN MOTOR

5. LIGHT-FIXTURE HOUSING

6. LAMP SHADES

7. DOWN ROD, CANOPY, AND CEILING PLATE
all included in fan kit

8. REMOTE-CONTROL TRANSMITTER WITH 9V BATTERY

9. TWIST-ON WIRE CONNECTORS

10. CAULK OR SPACKLING COMPOUND
for filling nail holes in medallion

11. 6D FINISH NAILS
for attaching medallion to ceiling

12. LATEX PAINT OR ACRYLIC SPRAY PAINT
to paint medallion; optional

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Wire strippers
- Nailsets
- Hammer
- Drill
- Drywall saw
- Screwdriver
- Caulk gun
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Product Gallery
Product selections for this project
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Removing a light fixture before installing a ceiling fan

Photo: Shaffer Smith Photography

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9

1. Remove the existing light fixture

Make sure electricity to circuit is turned off and carefully remove the glass shade or globe from the old light fixture.

Unscrew the retaining nut or screws that hold the fixture to the ceiling.

Lower the fixture and disconnect the wires by twisting off the plastic connectors from the ends of the wires.