Paddle or toggle light switches?

[engineer2]

Due to various remodelling projects, our house is a mix of paddle (Decora) and toggle switches. If I were to sell the place in a few years, would buyers even notice or care what types there are?
I was wondering if it is worthwhile to spend $150 to convert all the light switches to the more modern paddle type.

 

[The Cobbler]

decora seems to be the new norm , at least around here.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Just to sell, simple on/offs, I wouldn't. If anything, I'd standardize on toggles. You don't know what the next owner will want.

If you want some functionality that comes with a different style of switch, though, then standardizing on that would make sense. Linked dimmers and other smart controls tend to all be in the Decora format.

 

[nsula_country]

Toggles.

CT

 

[Toomanytools?]

I'm in the same boat, well not selling but changing from toggle to paddle about 40% complete. I like the paddle because they seem to be quieter, then older toggle, but when in a hurry slapping at the paddle I get on/off more than a positive switch with toggle.
That said I think a buyer will only notice if the house is mix matched and not care about one or the other. Paddles seem to be the new norm though.

 

[CJ7VFR]

If the light switches are all in the same room, then use the same type/style all around the room for a more uniform and thought out look. Also use the same color for all the switches.

Light switches in different rooms, or hallways, or kitchens or wherever don't all need to match every other room in type/style or color throughout the entire house. Just keep them the same in each room and it will look fine.

Most people won't even notice that they are different unless you have different types/styles and colors all in one room so that the difference is noticeable.

It is like paint. Most people don't use just one color of paint for every single wall and ceiling in their house. Each room has it's own look, and it's own color scheme. A house with every room and ceiling the exact same color looks like a jail or a hospital.

Jim

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have both types in my house, and in 35 years no one visiting has ever commented on the difference.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Agree with comments above. Our house was a higher-end mid-50's build in a rural area. All the (toggle) switches are being replaced with the same type to maintain the same look and feel to the house. We figure it is better to have a good looking 60 year old house than one that is a mix of styles.

 

[exranger06]

I'm in the middle of replacing all outlets and switches in my house and I'm purposely using Decora in certain rooms and toggles in others. All rooms that have Decora switches also have Decora outlets. The toggle rooms have regular outlets.

 

[02vito]

I recently competed wiring-from-scratch two buildings. I used all spec-grade quiet toggles, except for one place where I needed a rocker next to a GFCI because I couldn't find a GFCI/toggle two-gang cover plate in the style we needed.

If the your remaining toggles are loud old ones, you might replace them with rockers.

When we sold our home and shop two years ago, the realtors were more concerned with the switch and receptacle cover plates than the switches and receptacles, which are all high end spec-grade stuff. No one seemed to care that the place had premium wiring stuff.

An informed buyer or home inspector might notice the differing switch styles, and ask who is/was doing the work. Informed buyers are rightfully afraid of any homeowner wiring. This is no reflection on you, just a general observation.

 

[lilredex]

Good thing Teken didn't see this one. Wasn't he the guy that ran around indexing all the face plate screws?

Really do not think it will matter, most potential buyers will be concentrating on the kitchen, bathroom and maybe the garage if they ever look in here.

Here, a realtor will tell you to just clear the clutter. A fifty+ year old house will bring close to top dollar with no updates. A 1000 Sq. Ft. brick bungalow will bring in just under a million and sell in two or three days. Hot, hot market here.

I have both switch styles and do not really care, but Decoras win on numbers.

 

[rburke65]

Hey....my screws are clocked! Just go with regular goggles and stop trying to figure out the buyer.....impossible.

 

[sberry]

No one seemed to care that the place had premium wiring stuff.

Agree.

 

[Showkey]

Having lived with both..........paddles have a much better feel and touch.
Consistency is not a bad thing.


It’s is amazing what some people will notice when it comes to finishes and use in judgement of a quality build.

 

[MFolks]

Ya could have some(unsafe of course) the old knife switches seen in earlier horror films,thrown with dramatic effects(Lights flicker,thunder booms,a Woman screams,etc).

 

[CoogarXR]

My last house had push buttons and rotary switches! It was built in 1916. All of them still worked too.

 

[Bert_]

I rather toggles myself. I like the comm. grade ones with a bit of snap in my own house, but customers usually get the residential grade toggles unless they request different.

My last house had push buttons and rotary switches! It was built in 1916. All of them still worked too.

Love those, I generally save any I get from remodels. Someday I'll get a few reinstalled somewhere that they will see occasional use.

 

[CJ7VFR]

My house was built in 1955, and there are still a few of the old toggle switches that use mercury inside them to make and break the power going thru them.

I have a few three way versions still in the stairwells and single pole versions in the hallways.

These things are dead quiet, with no sound, or "click" noises what-so-ever when you turn them On or Off. They have been painted over so many times to match the color of the walls that I bet if I scraped them really careful I could tell exactly what colors were used on the walls from the day this place was built.

Jim

 

[exranger06]

My last house had push buttons and rotary switches! It was built in 1916. All of them still worked too.

Those push button switches are so cool! They remind me of Boardwalk Empire. I was at a wedding a few months ago in this old building that had those switches everywhere. They apparently weren't hooked up to anything anymore, as I found myself playing with them lol! Too bad my house is a contemporary and those switches would look totally out of place, otherwise I would probably install them everywhere. You can buy brand new replica push button switches that are UL listed and up to current code, and you can get dimmers in that style too.

 

[engineer2]

Great advice here as usual. You guys are right, a mixed bag screams random DIY. All depends on the buyer and their home inspector. In my area a home sale generally does not involve checking govt records for permitted/unpermitted work.

I think I will gradually change over to Decora, which is popular here in new-ish homes like mine. It'll give me a leg up on the other 20 homes for sale in our subdivision.

 

[matt_i]

I rather toggles myself. I like the comm. grade ones with a bit of snap in my own house, but customers usually get the residential grade toggles unless they request different.

Having destroyed a couple of paddles getting what I thought was the proper screw torque on the wiring, I said never-again on this cheap stuff.

I like the heavy spring feel of the toggles for my shop, and I can seem to hook them easier with a pile of stuff in my hand as opposed to trying to hit one with my elbow or backside.

 

[gtae07]

One thing to consider... if you think you might ever want to go with "smart" switches and get into all that home automation stuff, it looks like 95% of it is paddle switches. Honestly that's part of what's been holding me back on some of it--I'd feel compelled to change all of the switches in the house to match.

 

[bczygan]

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Toggles for me. My cousin did all high end decora and touch sensitive switches at his house. I've probably replaced 1/8 of them after about 10 years. My toggles are over 20 years old. I index my screws, too. Never met a "good" electrician that didn't.

Tommy

 

[engineer2]

I've replace as many toggles as I have paddles over the years.
They are making them cheaper these days compared to 20-30 years ago.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I like the old toggles. Something about the strong snap and audible click feels like high quality. Maybe it's the soft quiet switches feel cheap.

 

[99LeCouch]

I like the Decora style paddle switches. Easy to elbow on and off, and screwless face plates can be used.

 

[HenryAZ]

I like toggles, too, but our new house was equipped with paddles throughout. The main thing I don't like about either is the plastic faceplates. I replaced them all with oversized metal from Taymac (available at Home Depot). For odd sizes, like 4 switches, or combos, you can order boxes of 10 from Taymac and have them delivered to Home Depot. Doing a whole house, you might use half of those 10 before you're done. The more standard configurations are stocked.