Outdoor ceiling fans

[signcrafter]

Do they make special ceiling fans for outdoors or will any old fan work in a covered porch? I'm thinking about installing one in a covered porch so it will never get wet from rain or snow. But wondering about humidity and moisture? I've seen one outside that the blades were all hanging almost straight down because they were sagging that bad.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Use a normal fan.

 

[VWingman]

I've noticed a few outside fans both ways. I was wondering if it was real wood blades vs. mdf or something of the sort.

 

[bbmach]

I've seen two screened in porch fans with wilted blades from the humidity (both in Georgia - your humidity mileage will vary). I now use fans designed for outdoor use.

 

[aircommuter]

I got plastic blades for mine as th OE ones warped. If you will get wind you need to tie the blades.

 

[kbs2244]

You see them all over the Caribbean.
Regular fans
I have never seen any "wilted" blades, but maybe they oil paint them.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I have seen lots of fans with droopy blades in NC. If it were me I would get an outdoor fan.

 

[Commendatore]

Same, lots of cheap indoor fans wilting. Buy it twice if you like, but a regular fan won't last.

 

[Rrumbler]

I've seen the "wilt", but even on fans indoors; dunno what to think causes it. I have two outdoor rated fans on my patio, and five years on, they are still at attention like a sixteen year old boy. Even the wind, heat, or cold we get here does not seem to bother them.

 

[aar0s]

They do make outdoor fans, had a hunter on my front porch of my old house. Loved that thing, turned it on in May, off in October, always had a breese. Blades never sagged on it.

 

[signcrafter]

So humidity causes the blades to sag. What kind of blades do I need to be looking at so they won't sag?

 

[Wamerjamer]

So humidity causes the blades to sag. What kind of blades do I need to be looking at so they won't sag?

I have an outdoor one.I think the blades are plastic or something like that.

 

[gtae07]

I just (like 2 minutes ago) finished installing a new, true outdoor fan on our porch. The old one had little tiny MDF blades that were splitting and sagging; the new one has plastic blades and sealed/booted switch and pull chain openings.

Get a true outdoor unit to avoid the sagging problems.

 

[barnjunkie]

You can go to the HD website and the specifications will describe "damp" or "wet" location. It is important because it is tested for safety for these locations and the construction is slightly different to accommodate those locations.
You don't want a droopy fan blade with a slight electrocution/fire hazard.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I have seen lots of fans with droopy blades in NC. If it were me I would get an outdoor fan.

You can pay now and do it once and right....

I think you've already got your answer....if you look on the box it'll say INDOOR OR OUTDOOR use....there's a reason it says that.... think about that.

 

[therealjakeg]

Amazon has good metal ones that don't melt in the heat. $75 and it comes with a 4 speed controller. Works awesome and moves some air.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[OldSoldier]

If the fan itself is sheltered I think your only concern is getting plastic blades to resist the humidity. I had the droopy blade problem when I bought my house in 2013 and replaced the MDF blades with plastic ones and they still look great. I think they cost me about $20 a set. Perhaps you can open a box and check the composition of the blades beforehand.