How to Install Your New Chandelier

Chandeliers offer a dazzling way of welcoming your guests inside your home. It serves as a mealtime companion while you and your guests feast on a sumptuous meal you have prepared. It adds impact to the ambience of a room. However, if you are deterred by the thought of installing your new chandelier, here are some basic steps to follow.

Switch off power

You must switch off the power to the circuit on which you intend to work.

Remove old chandelier, if any

Disconnect and remove the old chandelier, if any, from the junction box. You may need someone else to help you to support the weight of the old chandelier as you disconnect it. It is important that you should know how the old chandelier is connected before you take it off. You can also mark the wires with tape and a pencil of reference later on.

Replace junction box

Replace junction box only if it is not strong to hold the weight of your new chandelier. Once determined, you can proceed with the installation by threading your new hardware onto the mounting strap. Use the existing screw holes to secure it into the junction box. However, if there is no existing mounting strap, you will have to install one. You can buy it from a local hardware or use the one that came with the new chandelier.

Wire the chandelier

Wire the new chandelier the same way the old one came out. Simply connect the white wires with white ones and black wires with black ones. Start the wiring process by stringing wires through the last link on the chain, and then through the support nut, collar nut, escutcheon plate, and up through the lamp nipple, and finally into the junction box. Connect your wires by tying in to the home wiring using wire nuts (plastic connectors). You?ll tie in by splicing the black hot wire from the junction box with your wire nuts. Then you will splice the white neutral wires. Connect the ground wires to the green grounding screw in the junction box. Use the manufacturer?s instruction for the new chandelier to complete the rest of the installation.

Chandeliers are varied in styles, weights and designs. Styles may have ornate fixtures, a just simply a fixture which hangs from a chain or wire. Weights of chandeliers are important with regards with the junction box. This box contains all the wiring connections in the ceiling, so it must be strong to hold the weight of the new chandelier. Sizes of chandeliers should be about 12 inches narrower than the width of the table cover which it hangs. Total wattage of bulbs must be 200 to 400 to provide sufficient light.

To give you some tips, a room size of 10? by 10? or less, use a chandelier 17? xo 20? in diameter; a room size of 12? by 12?, use a chandelier 26? or 27? in diameter; a room size of 14? x 14?, use a chandelier of 24? to 36? in diameter.

You might need the following additional tools for efficient installation aside from those enumerated above, namely: stud, hickey, utility knife, circuit tester, pliers, insulated screwdrivers, multipurpose tools.

Ma. Roma Agsalud

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How To Install A New Chandelier

Many people will feel they will need to acquire the skills of an electrician to install their new chandelier, lantern or wall sconce. This is by far the safest way of doing the job and you should make the necessary enquiries to obtain the skills of a licensed and qualified electrician. However there are many people who are interested the field of do-it-yourself. If there is a light or electrical wiring at the point where you wish to install and you feel that the electrical installation and physical hanging of a chandelier is within your means then there are a few basic points to remember before proceeding. Be aware that if the light connection is on the outside of a house, for instance the installation of a new lantern, additional care needs to be taken over the waterproofing of the electrical system. This article does not propose to go into installing a new electrical light circuit. You may also like to contact an electrician just to ensure that you have a backup should you find the job beyond your means.

First and foremost is to be aware of the legal and safety requirements with electrical fittings. You may need to check with your Landlord and/or the local authorities that you have the right to modify your electrical circuits. It is particularly relevant if you have a listed building. You should read and familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's instructions of the new lighting fixture. Check that none of the parts mentioned are missing, nor that it excluded a necessary part such as the supporting chain. You need to ensure that you have everything, parts and tools, needed to complete the job. You should establish that the point of fixing or hanging (on the ceiling) is strong enough to hold the weight of the chandelier or wall sconce. It is worth familiarizing yourself with the method of replacing the light bulbs since this is something you will certainly have to do at some point in time. In fact it would generally be easier to install the chandelier and then add the light bulbs at the end.

It then goes without saying that you need to turn off the electricity supply. However since that may be inconvenient for the length of time it takes to install the lighting system, you may be able to establish from the safety trip fuse box (breaker box) exactly which electrical circuit you are using and the appropriate switch to turn it off. This is a fairly simple operation: you simply turn off one trip switch at a time and see if the light you are replacing goes on or off. Something that is indispensable when working with electrical circuits is one of those simple screwdrivers with a built-in light to enable electric currents to be detected. This allows an additional confirmation that the electrical wires are not alive.

With the wiring that you are working on now safely turned off, we proceed with dismantling the old fitting making careful note of the wiring and in particular the color of the wires; it will certainly be worth making a small diagram if the wires are complicated or you expect the job to take a long time. An alternative would be to use masking tape and labeling the wires.

With the above preparations completed, the actual process of installing the new lighting system should go smoothly. Once the chandelier is installed, you will need to do a test of the circuit. If you followed my advice about leaving the light bulbs out until the end, now is the time to put one in place and test it by turning the electrical circuit back on. If problems occur that you feel you are unable to solve, then contact a qualified electrician for advice or to complete the job.

Julian Pollock is a practising accountant and a trained therapist as well as a successful web site publisher. Among his publications are numerous articles on chandeliers, candelabra and lanterns (chandelier-mall.com).

Choosing Your Chandelier

From days of yore chandeliers have always been highly regarded for their elegance and beauty. They set the scene. They are a display of opulence and give an atmosphere of grandeur, status and wealth. The size and complexity of the chandelier, particularly the dazzling crystal chandelier with its sparkling prisms that cascade the room with rainbows, proclaimed the eminent owner's degree of luxury lifestyle. They would be and still are today often found in the entrance halls, foyers and atriums of celebrated public establishments, theatres and the like.

Nowadays the demand for chandeliers, and particularly for different varieties of chandeliers, has increased beyond imagination; such that they have become far more commonplace in the last few decades. The huge increase in the differing styles of chandelier may seem bewildering to someone who wants to buy a one but without a clear idea of exactly which sort. Here are some guidelines to help clarify exactly what will be suitable for you.

The first important point to consider is exactly where the chandelier will hang. Will it be in the entrance hall, living room, dining room, or wherever? Then you will need to decide upon its exact location within that room so as to be able to judge the right size. You will need to know the minimum and maximum height and width dimensions. Obviously you need a chandelier that fulfils your intention for buying it. If the room it is to go in has a high ceiling, you will automatically need a larger size chandelier. If it is to go in a cozy alcove, you will want to make sure that no one is going to bang their head when they walk under it. Generally chandeliers hang from a chain that is attached to the ceiling, so you have a degree of flexibility as to its height from the floor. The type of lighting is another concern. If you use normal electric bulbs, you will need to be able to replace them occasionally. If you have chosen a candle chandelier (originally all chandeliers had candles for lights), then you need to consider that they will need replacing continually.

If you're ceiling is not so high, you would obviously do better to choose an appropriately diminutive model and then you also have options of complementing the chandelier with additional lighting such as standard or table lamps, wall sconces and the like. The Italian and Murano chandeliers are particularly elegant as well as being compact. You would do well to consider having dimmer switches for your lights. This enables you to create different ambiances as well as controlling the energy consumption - an important consideration in our forever changing world.

Julian Pollock is a practising accountant and a trained therapist as well as a successful web site publisher. among his publications is a website on chandeliers, candelabra and lanterns (chandelier-mall.com).

Enjoy The Classic Elegance Of A Candle Chandelier

What do you think of when you hear the word chandelier? Chandeliers tend to bring images of grandeur, wealth, and royalty. And candle chandeliers take us back to another era where century old homes and fireplaces were the norm. Why not enjoy the classic elegance of a candle chandelier in your home?

Perhaps you've been lucky enough to have inherited one of the beautiful old chandeliers. If so you're a very lucky person and you need to be sure to take good care of your special gift.

However, if you are like most of us there is no inheritance so you'll need to go on the hunt to find your own perfect piece. Now that can be a lot of fun too! With so many antique shops to peruse and so many online websites selling antiques so you're sure to find the perfect fixture with a little time.

Now that said, you should be prepared to pay a fair bit for an antique piece. You might get lucky and find a really great deal but overall antique fixtures are going to cost you more than modern fixtures. But after all they are an investment.

If an antique piece is out of your budget, not to worry. There are many excellent reproduction pieces that can be purchased for a very affordable price. And they only one that's going to know your secret is you.

Don't forget antique means ornate often with intricate carvings. There's a feel about them that gives them their charm and elegance. Crystal, brass, antler, wrought iron are all great antique choices. Antique candelabras are never shiny. They must always look worn. So even if you are choosing an antique reproduction make sure it has the look of an old fixture.

Oh yes, and you can quickly create the antique look using an antiquing glaze. Just apply and then rub off with a soft cloth while the glaze is still wet. You'll have instant "old."

But an antique candle chandelier won't give the ambiance of old world charm by itself. The rest of the room must also carry the theme. So that means your furniture and other d??cor needs to also look and feel antique. Then your room will come together nicely.

Candle chandeliers are by far the most elegant and classic of all types whether they are crystal, wrought iron, antler, or brass the candles create a warm and inviting atmosphere that can be ever so romantic too! Candles are a form of lighting that bulbs just can't compete with! As the shadows flicker across the room it's a spectacular scene!

That's why they make such great mood setting pieces and the d??cor they are added to must be carefully chosen. Because candles have a softness to them a room that's filled with crisp lines and cuts is not a good choice. A small room is all not a great choice for the full effect of the candles.

They look great in a ballroom, bedroom, even over an antique tub. They can be worked into a dining room providing the d??cor is appropriate. And they look great in a room that has a soft inviting atmosphere.

Candle chandeliers do require more maintenance than electric chandeliers but they are worth every minute of it. Besides the regular cleaning and polishing you will also need to remove any wax drippings taking care to ensure they do not build up in the carvings. You'll want to clean drip cups regularly and if there are glass shades they'll need a regular cleaning as well as they will become blackened.

A candle chandelier portrays a timeless beauty that's second to none and it's a great addition to the right room so be sure to give it the consideration it deserves!

Daren has been lighting store for 10 years now and has become experienced with installing lighting in various areas. He has decided to create http://www.lightingus.com to answer many of the questions he has come across many times. Visit his website to learn more about custom lighting

How To Choose A Chandelier Based On Style

Chandelier Style Guide

If you are building your dream home or renovating an existing one and want to add a chandelier, this guide will offer information on the different styles to help you make the right decision for your home. In today?s marketplace, you have a myriad of options when it comes to chandeliers. In fact, with so many options available it is very easy for the consumer to get confused or frustrated in the process.

Assuming you are not sure which style of chandelier you want, here are some of the many styles on the market today.

Mission Chandeliers

Mission chandeliers have a clean straight edge and simplistic appeal. Mission style chandeliers are made with stained glass, mica or other light diffusing material to produce a warm glow.

Wrought Iron Chandeliers

Not all wrought iron chandeliers are created equal. Some are powder coated to appear like they are the? real thing?. These are much less expensive than their genuine wrought iron counterparts.

Tiffany Chandeliers

Tiffany chandeliers come in multiple shapes, sizes and prices. They can be made with stained glass in a variety of colors.

Rustic Chandeliers

Rustic chandeliers are made with a more traditional lodge appeal. They incorporate metal and various colors of mica for the shade. Rustic chandeliers can also be made in copper, bronze and steel.

Antler Chandeliers

For those who prefer antler chandeliers, there are two choices: faux or authentic. Authentic antler chandeliers require the task of locating shed antlers and incorporating their varying shapes into the design. This results in a much more expensive price than the faux chandeliers, which can easily be manufactured and replicated with the same design.

Custom Chandeliers

Many chandelier manufacturers are able to create pieces to suit each individual. Chain lengths can be adjusted to hang from every type of ceiling. Chandeliers can even be constructed from your unique design. Always ask your dealer about this if you need something that isn?t on the shelf. A good example would be if you need more or less light in an area. You can request that the manufacturer build the chandelier to accommodate the wattage that you need. Another example is that chandeliers can be built from your unique design with images or text laser cut in. Custom chandeliers will be more expensive depending upon the amount of work required.

Chandeliers that are thoughtfully chosen can make a drastic difference in your home. With options from pre-made to custom, you are certain to find a chandelier to compliment your home d?cor.

Visit http://www.BlueRidgeLighting.com for a complete selection of home lighting, chandeliers, pendant lights and table lamps

Art Glass Chandeliers - Something Unique

A museum in the Hakone region of Japan, (a few hours from Tokyo) houses some of the most interesting Venetian crystal ornamentation and lighting. The Venetian Glass Museum or the Hakone Glass Forest, as it’s called, is a great way to see crystal and Murano glass in all its splendor, because, unlike a typical museum, a portion of the displays begin outside where entryway trees are festooned in Murano crystal; some clear, others in beautiful rich colors. These crystal filled trees line the museum’s courtyard.

The museum itself contains some very exquisite Murano glass chandeliers dating back to the 18th century. Period piece rooms are filled with ornate crystal chandeliers – a different kind of visual experience for the Murano glass lover, a Venetian style of production that dates back hundreds of years.

Murano glass dates back to the 13th century when glassmakers in Venice were banned to the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon. Some of this was based on safety to ensure the hot fires needed to make glass would not burn down Venice but another reason was to keep the knowledge of the craft secret and specific to the area. Glassmakers of Murano (at the time) were actually forbidden to share their trade secrets with foreigners nor were they allowed to leave the island, an offense punishable by death. Venetian glassmakers were the leaders in glassmaking throughout the middle ages, right up until the 19th and 20th century when they were finally upstaged by the Bohemian and English glassmakers.

Murano glass is still renowned throughout the world. Glassmakers on Murano work much the same way they did hundreds of years ago but now it’s possible to find much more affordable Murano reproductions.

Nicole Martins, is a senior editor at Chandeliers and Home Lighting. If you would like to read more about Italian chandeliers with Murano glass visit this site at: http://www.chandeliers-and-home-lighting.com