Truth: Sherry was unusually enthusiastic about adding two new ceiling fans to keep our newly opened sunroom cool and to create a gentle breeze that helps keep mosquitoes away while we relax outside. I, on the other hand, wasn’t thrilled about the idea of installing them.
We actually have plenty of experience removing fans from previous homes — we’ve stripped them out of rooms with lower ceilings and felt much happier without them — so adding to our total fan count felt like a step in the opposite direction. Historically, most of our rooms had 7.5 to 8-foot ceilings, and at 6 feet tall I always felt like the fans were oversized, low-hanging pinwheels that threatened to give me a haircut. Still, we kept a few where they were useful: a sunroom and den in our first house, and a sunroom and guest room in the second. We weren’t in the habit of increasing the total-house-fan number, but this sunroom project changed that.
This is the first time we’ve purposely increased the count, going from one fan to two thanks to new wiring that was installed after we removed the old ceiling. Two fans make more sense for this space: they cool the room more evenly and create enough air movement to deter mosquitoes. With the ceiling freshly lofted, we also hoped the fans wouldn’t feel low or heavy. Still, I expected the installation to be difficult and the results underwhelming.
We searched everywhere—secondhand sources like Craigslist and thrift stores were hard to match in pairs, so we ended up buying new fans from Home Depot, which had the best selection for our needs. Each fan was $119, and we also purchased a 10-inch downrod for each fan because of the lofted ceiling. We chose dark fans rather than white to add contrast against the light ceiling and to coordinate with the dark floors we plan to install.
Practical considerations were important: the fans needed to be rated for outdoor use and compatible with an angled ceiling. We also confirmed with the store that the model would accept a light kit and support remote controls, in case we want to add those later. For now we plan to install sconces on the sunroom columns for softer eye-level lighting.
Before starting the install, we made sure the power was off at both the breaker and the light switch. Sherry double-checked with a live current tester—outdoor wiring can be unpredictable, and it’s always better to be safe.
I want to be clear that the brand we chose had nothing to do with sponsorship; I’m simply impressed when a product includes good instructions. The fan manual was thoughtful and user-friendly, even including a simple fold-and-check corner to confirm the ceiling angle would work with the fan. That small detail made me feel like the install might not be as painful as I feared.
Another smart touch: the hardware was separated into labeled bags for each step, with matching symbols in the manual. It reduced guesswork and kept the process organized. If you’re installing a fan, follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely since steps and parts can vary, but this is the general sequence we followed.
First we assembled and installed the mounting bracket to the fixture box. This bracket secures the fan to the ceiling box, which must be properly braced for the fan’s weight. Our electricians had already installed the necessary bracing, so we simply secured the bracket to the prepared box.
The next step was adding the downrod. We swapped the short rod supplied with the fan for the longer one we purchased, transferring a couple of screws and components so the fan would hang at the proper height. Home Depot’s display helped us choose the correct downrod length—our ceiling measured a little over 9 feet, so we picked a 12-inch rod.
Threading the fan’s extra wiring up through the downrod was straightforward, then we attached the rod to the fan and trimmed excess wire. Despite my anticipation of heavy lifting, the ball-and-socket mounting system supported the fan instantly when seated in the bracket, freeing my hands to make the electrical connections. The manual clearly indicated which wire colors matched, which made tying everything together quick and confidence-inspiring.
While I secured the canopy, Sherry prepared the blades, adding rubber washers and fastening them to the five metal arms. Once the blades were attached and the base cap installed, the fan looked and felt complete. The base cap also houses the wiring for an optional future light kit, so everything was tucked away neatly.
We repeated the process for the second fan. The first took longer because we were consulting the instructions and taking photos, but together both fans were installed in about 90 minutes with no missteps and minimal arm strain.
To our surprise, we absolutely love how they look and feel. The fans help finish the room visually and will be great for circulation once we have new floors in. The dark fans provide the contrast the bright, sunny space needed, giving the light blue ceiling and white trim a handsome “pow.”
In short, the project went smoother than I expected. From a partially finished room to a more complete space with two functional, attractive ceiling fans, it’s one of those satisfying DIY moments that shows real progress. Now if only we’d finished this a month earlier when the cooling would’ve been immediately useful—at least next summer will be comfortable.
New truth: I’m genuinely excited to have these fans installed in the sunroom.