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May 16 / Ceiling Fans

Question of the day: I need a fan with a motor finish that is neither to light or dark. What does the antique bronze finish look like?

Up close this finish is a combination of gold and silver-grey blended together. From a little further away, this finish reads as a neutral greyish brown with yellow overtones. It has a very natural feel to it.

Follow these links to see our most popular fans in Antique Bronze Finish!

Tropical Fan Company:

http://www.tropicalfancompany.com/tropical_ceiling_fans_42_bombay_Az.aspx

http://www.tropicalfancompany.com/double-fan-56-natural-palm-blades.aspx

http://www.tropicalfancompany.com/outdoor_tropical_ceiling_fan_raindance100.aspx

California Fan Company:

http://californiafancompany.com/double_fan_natural_blades.aspx

http://californiafancompany.com/az-nautical-ceiling-fan-raindance-blue.aspx

http://californiafancompany.com/tropical_ceiling_fan_42_bombay_az.aspx

Some of our products in Antique Bronze Finish

Antique Bronze Finish Up Close

Apr 23 / Ceiling Fans

Question of the day: Every fan I put on my patio rusts. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

I suspect that you either have a pool or your house is near the ocean.  Chlorine and salt will interact with electricity to create electrolysis. Electrolysis causes corrosion. That is physics and it’s hard to fight mother nature. However, there are a few things that can be done. The first thing is to buy a wet rated fan and wash the corrosive elements off periodically.
Some finishes hold up better than others. Some fans are partially made of composite plastic. The plastic, of course will not corrode. Shiny steel is a delicate finish and white shows any little bit of rust. The best are multi layered finishes in darker color that camouflage corrosion. Many of our outdoor fans have a galvanized coating as one layer in the finish.
Another hedge against corrosion is a product called “Corrosion Block”. It is a marine product that inhibits corrosion. This can be applied to your fan when you put it up. If you use it every now and then your fan’s finish should hold up much better.

take precautions to stop this from happening to your fan

 

Corrosion Block, one of our best allies to keep your fan rust free.

Apr 16 / Ceiling Fans

Featured Fan of the Week: The Raindance

By far our most popular outdoor fan, the Raindance boasts a rating of over 8100 CFMs. If you know fans that’s a lot of air! Its durable motor is warranted for 30 years. As a wet rated fan, that can be 30 years directly in the rain. This fan can be hosed off to wash corrosive elements like salt or chlorine from the fan housing making this a great choice near the ocean or swimming pool. This fan can be combined with many blade and lighting choices to make your fan uniquely yours. For other wet rated fans check out our Trinidad, Atlantis and Centurion models.

  

  

There are many possible combinations for the Raindance Fan, whichever it may be, we are sure there’s something here for you!

www.tropicalfancompany.com

www.californiafancompany.com

Apr 13 / Ceiling Fans

Question of the day: What is a downrod coupler?

A downrod coupler is used when you need to add extensions to a downrod. It holds multiple downrods together securely.

We carry couplers for 1/2″ and 3/4″ downrods. See here if we have the one you are looking for.

2 downrods and a coupler

Downrods connected to make a longer extension.

Apr 12 / Ceiling Fans

More information about us…

Our loyal customers both local and worldwide will tell you that we are the only place to buy fans. They are fans of our fans. We sell Gulf Coast ceiling fans and they have been making quality fans since 1979. They are also fans of our excellent service. Our primary goal is to be sure that you have the best experience possible through the life of your fan. Whether you need just one fan or hundreds, we handle all the details from helping you choose just the right fan to getting it to you, wherever you are in the world. Our experts are just a phone call away to help if you have any questions. We would love to make you a fan of our fans, too.

Jun 21 / Ceiling Fans

to Switch, or not to Switch

In today’s market, there is a variety of switches to control a ceiling fan.  In the end it comes down to what you prefer, but in some cases some restriction may apply. Just to give you some pointers on what you should consider when choosing the appropriate switch that would best fit your needs.

- fan with light

- fan with no light

- one wall switch

- two wall switches

- your house’s wiring

If you have questions about this topic, send  us an email to sales@tropicalfancompany.com or call us at 1-877-921-3267

switches2
May 19 / Ceiling Fans

Downrod too long?…Cut it!

Sometimes downrods don’t come in the specific length you need.  The solution is really simple. Cut them with a hacksaw or band saw.  Please be sure to use the  appropriate safety equipment to prevent any accidents when using power tools. Simply cut a  side of the downrod that is not threaded to the desired length. Also make sure that the edge where the downrod was cut is filed to eliminate any sharp edges. Then align and drill through the rod for the set pin.  Once that is done, you have a custom length downrod.

cutdownrod

Cutting the Downrod

cutdownrod2

Sharp edges

May 18 / Ceiling Fans

Using a Flush-mount Kit

For safety reasons, ceiling fans blades need to be at least 7 feet from the floor. If your ceiling is less than 8 feet (and you are are not using a fan specifically for a low ceiling like a ceiling hugger type fan) you will probably need to close mount it.  Note that some fans cannot be close mounted due to various factors  especially if the fan has an uplight or palm fans that have a high blade pitch.

A close mount or flush mount kit attaches directly to the motor housing eliminating the use of a down rod.  This will bring the fan 2 to 4 inches closer to the ceiling. When deciding to use a flush-mount kit consider that it will cut from 20%  to 30% on airflow. In effect it is much like putting a newspaper behind a table fan. Obviously for this reason it is better to avoid using it.  I opted to close mount a fan because I wanted a particular light that would bring the fan down too low.  The light was more important to me than losing some efficiency of the fan. If you must close mount at least you can still use a fan and have enough clearance.

If a fan will be permanently mounted over a dining table or bed it is acceptable for it to be a bit lower since nobody will be directly under it. In fact, it may have a better perspective at a lower position when over a dining table.

closemountkit
Apr 4 / Ceiling Fans

Palm and Bamboo Blades

Ceiling fans with palm leaves and natural bamboo blades are very popular so we would like to take a moment to address a few pros and cons of choosing this type of fan. They work well with almost any decor. They are a focal point and provide a relaxing and inviting tone as well as a gentle breeze in any room.

Our palm and bamboo blades are made from real palm fronds or woven bamboo. Palm blades are more fragile than the bamboo blades so take care not to poke them.  Natural palm blades do not develop that annoying line of dust on the edge of the blades because they are a natural unfinished fiber so they do not build up static that causes that problem.  Blades come in various sizes. Palm blades are generally 18″ or 22″ making the sweep of a palm fan either 48″ or 55″. Palm and bamboo blades come in various designs and shapes but similar sizes. Some examples are on our website at http://www.tropicalfancompany.com/palm_leaf_ceiling_fans.aspx  .

palms1

Although these blades are not as efficient as traditional blades, in my opinion they make up for it in grace and beauty. They generally use a high degree of pitch but that does not make them move more air because the shape of the blade is not very aerodynamic. The pitch and the blade shape make this inappropriate for close mounting.  Note: 5 blades on a palm fan is less efficient than 4 blade versions. Too many blades create a cavitation effect and that causes the airflow to pass over the blades instead of grabbing the air. They come in sets of 5, so if you have a 4 blade fan you will have a spare in case  one gets damaged. They are only used on motors designed for these type of blades. Tropical Fan Company (http://www.tropicalfancompany.com/palm_leaf_ceiling_fans.aspx) and Gulf Coast Fans use 4 blades and the Palm Bay model can use 3 or 4.

Natural palm and bamboo blades  should be only used indoors. They are prone to mildew and weathering from humidity outside. To achieve the same effect outdoors choose a plastic blade such as on the Bombay series at Tropical Fan Company (http://www.tropicalfancompany.com/bombay-52-inch-tropical-ceiling-fan.aspx. or http://www.tropicalfancompany.com/bombay-42-inch-tropical-ceiling-fan.aspx).

palms3

In review: With palm fans, four blades are more efficient than five. Use them indoors only. They provide a natural touch that is relaxing and inviting.

If you have any questions call us at 1-877-921-3267, and we’ll be able to answer any questions you may have.

palms2
Mar 16 / Ceiling Fans

Before You Buy

When you are buying a ceiling  fan the first thing to consider is what the the main function of the fan will be. What is more important? Airflow? Lighting? Design? For example, if airflow is the main consideration, you will want a more powerful motor. A need for a lot of air in a big room requires a totally different fan then a small sewing room that needs a bright light and only a little air circulation.

The space should determine the size of the fan and what length the blades should be. The room needs to be balanced both aesthetically and efficiently. Larger rooms may need longer blades or multiple fans. To hang the fan at an ideal height you need to know the height of the ceiling where it will be mounted. A low ceiling may require a low profile fan,  close mount kit or a ceiling hugger. It can also impact your light choice if a  light is needed The actual height that is best can vary according to the room’s perspective and personal preference but the blades need to be at least 7″ high. To find the size or “sweep” of a fan, take a measurement from the center of the fan to the tip of a blade and then double it.  You want the fan to compliment the room, not overwhelm it or look too small. Larger blades cover a larger area. Smaller blades focus air flow.

Design is important because a ceiling fan moves and catches your eye. It’s movement also makes a room seem more inviting. As a focal point a ceiling fan can be a dramatic feature.  It can enhance a design or be inconspicuous. Easy custom choices in the fan designs can combine multiple  styles by including elements of each  together to pull the entire room together. At Tropical Fan Company you can create a tropical fan that is also modern or perhaps an antique style fan with arbor bamboo or leaf blades. The possibilities are practically endless and our customers surprise us with interesting combinations constantly. For design assistance call us at 1-877-921-3267 or send a picture to sales@tropicalfancompany.com.

Try it out first!  It is a good idea to know what to expect before it is installed. Nothing is worse than installing a fan only to discover that it doesn’t move much air. In our showroom you can turn on each model with different blades to compare. We are proud that our fans perform so well because we use large, good quality motors.

Although there may be many elements in your decision to purchase a ceiling fan, it all comes down to what you want.  The trick is to get a fan that has it all to suit you perfectly. At Tropical Fan Company, our experts will help you customize your fans to fulfill all your desires (at least as far as ceiling fans go).

Also consider what parts are available for repair should the need arise.  Some fans are hard to get replacement blades or blade arms for. However, we carry spare parts for our ceiling fan models. We have customers that come in after several years asking us for different blades or lights to update  their fan, and we can offer a different several choices for them to totally change the style without changing the original fan. If you need design assistance, please do not hesitate to  email us at sales@tropicalfancompany.com or call us 1-877-921-3267, we will more than happy to help you.

The find the size or “sweep” of a fan Measure the length from the center of the fan to the tips of the blades and double it.

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In Review: Determine the primary function of the fan. Consider the size of the room. Choose a larger motor for more air flow.