I need anyone and everyone’s comments on installing a ceiling fan (weight 45 lbs.) into a residential bedroom.
The concern is that the room has a tray ceiling and it won’t be stable enough, and cause the fan to wobble.
In the attic, when looking down at the tray ceiling, the top-of-the-ceiling-studs are simply toenailed into the angled-side-studs.
Should I re-enforce the top-of-the-ceiling studs with plywood sheathing? And/or additional 2×4 stud bracing?
Thanks in advance.
Replies
Don't know how you could expect us to tell anything from that brief description. We'd have to know a heck of a lot of details - Framing member sizes, lengths, loading requirements, number and size of nails, local codes, etc.
You need someone to come over and actually look at it.
If there is a tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
Sorry about that - I'll try to post a picture of the problem.
If this is what I'm thinking it is there is likely to be few structurally induced wobble problems. 45 pounds in construction is negligible assuming the ceiling is built right to begin with. Defective, misapplied, cheap and unbalanced fans are far more likely to cause wobbling than any structural problem.
I have installed fans in acoustic ceilings, with rated for the use assemblies, that provide very little pitch and roll resistance and when good quality fans were used there was no appreciable wobble. The weight of the fan and box were supported by a cable. Small arms extending to the grid kept the box from twisting but otherwise gave little support.
My general rule for such small jobs is to look the framing over. If it looks good I put a foot on the proposed site. I add weight. Assuming the fasteners are good the framing will generally deflect long before it fails. If it holds about half of my weight without complaint, around 100 lbs, I mount the box. We are talking about 40 to 60 lbs not a hot tub. Use a fan rated box.
If you want to be doubly sure you can install 9 wire from framing above your ceiling and tighten it with a turnbuckle. Just tight. No need to prove your manhood. I have only gone this far once. I was rehanging a fan that fell, a local handyman hung a plastic box with two roofing nails in tension, and the HO was adamant about not having it happen again. Seems it interrupted their love life falling within inches of them. I did pull ups on the box with my helper, about 400 lbs with tool belts, as she looked on just to reassure her. She seemed overjoyed at the overbuilt and none too cheap installation.
One thing that will tend to cause wobble is mounting the fan too close to walls or sloped ceilings. 18" is a minimum with 24" or better being the ideal. Spend the money and buy a brand name fan and avoid the low end of all lines.
Here's an Idea Jerry...hire an electrician that knows what he's doin!
Where's AJ when ya need him? Jeff "That's like hypnotizing chickens........."