In older homes, overhead lighting was not often used because the fixtures available at that time where either very large or too expensive for the average homeowner. Most people used lamps to light their homes and this tradition carried into homes built well into the late 1950s and early 1960s. Many modern homeowners, however, want the extra light that is available at the flick of a switch or, in this case, the pull of a cord. Installing a fan box is the proper way to support any standard ceiling fixture while providing a proper junction box for electrical wires.
Installing a Fan Box
The first step in installing a fan box is to find the location that is as close to center of a room as possible. Measure the area you are lighting or installing a fan in and find the center of this location. Mark this location on the ceiling with a pencil. After you have performed this operation, take a 3-inch nail and a hammer up on the ladder with you and pound the nail into the ceiling on your mark. If the nail goes in very easy, you will be using an adjustable bar support fan box. If the nail is hard to pound, it is in a ceiling joist and you will have to use a joist fan box.
Installing a Support Fan Box
Gain access to the area you are installing the fan box by going into the attic if there is attic space above the area you are installing your fan box, or by cutting a square hole in the ceiling with a utility knife and a drywall saw. If you have to cut a hole in ceiling for access, cut the whole from ceiling joist to ceiling joist for easy patching. Position the fan box where it belongs in orientation to your original markings. Then take one end of the support hanger and nail it into one of the ceiling joists.
Pull the other end to the other ceiling joist and nail it into the opposite ceiling joist. The support arm will telescope out enough to reach the ceiling joist and still be strong enough to support a fan or lighting fixture. If you are in the attic, use your drywall saw to cut out the area around the fan box as tightly as you can. Seal around the boxes with can foam and cover with insulation once the wiring is performed by a licensed electrician.
Installing a Joist Fan box
Trace the shape of the fan box onto the area where you will be nailing it to the joist. Cut out the drywall using a utility knife and a drywall saw. Then simply push the joist hanger fan box into place on the joist and nail or screw the box to the bottom of the joist. The box is easy to identify as it has a middle notch to allow for the joist. One thing that should be performed prior to installing the joist fan box is to have the wire ran into the box prior to securing it to the joist as it can otherwise be difficult.
Providing a room with overhead lighting can dramatically change the look and feel of a space and give it a new personality that will add to its charm and overall perceived value.
Adam Yeomans - Adam Yeomans has been writing Internet content for just over a year for the purpose of informing people on how to properly complete home ...
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