Benefits of Outdoor Ceiling Fans

Outdoor ceiling fans are the perfect addition to your covered porch or gazebo. They add style and keep you cool and comfortable, but there's a lot more to it than that. Outdoor ceiling fans are available in a wide range of sizes and styles, and they come with various types of controls that may affect your buying decisions.

Outdoor ceiling fans pack plenty of style, and they'll keep you cool while you sip tea in the afternoon, while you entertain in the evening, and any time in between. They also help chase away unwanted guests - the kinds with wings and stingers - because they force air to circulate and create tough flying conditions.

How to Choose the Right Outdoor Ceiling Fan

Choosing the right outdoor ceiling fan has a lot to do with your personal style, but it also involves function and ease-of-use. Check out the different outdoor ceiling fan styles and you’re sure to find one that fits both the needs and theme of your space.

You can buy outdoor ceiling fans with light kits to cool and illuminate your space, or you can pick standard hanging fans, or hugger fans. There are even outdoor fans with separate controllers included.

Outdoor Ceiling Fan Size

Calculate the size you need for your space based on the square footage. Spaces that are:

Smaller than 75 square feet require fans with a blade span of 29 to 36 inches.
Between 76 and 144 square feet need fans with a blade span of 36 to 44 inches.
Between 145 and 225 square feet need fans with a blade span of 44 to 54 inches.
Between 225 and 400 square feet need fans with a blade span of 50 to 72 inches.
Spaces larger than 400 square feet will require more than one fan.

Number of Blades

Outdoor ceiling fans come with up to six blades, with more blades providing more air circulation. Choose the number of blades appropriate for your space. You'll blow right off the porch if you use a large, six-blade fan in a 100-square-foot space. On the other hand, you won't feel the breeze coming from a three-blade fan in a 300-square-foot space. So it’s a good idea to be sure you measure the size and the conditions of your space appropriately.

Outdoor Fan Controls

Most outdoor ceiling fans come with one of three types of controls: Pull chains, wall controls, and remote controls. Pull chains require you to stand beneath the fan to adjust the speed and to turn it on and off. Wall controls can mount right beside a light switch and allow you to make adjustments as necessary. Remote-controlled fans let you stay right on the porch swing to speed up - or power-down - the fan's circulation.

UL Listed Ceiling Fans

When you buy an outdoor ceiling fan, you have to choose one with the right UL listing. Most ceiling fans sold in the United States have been tested by Underwriters Laboratories - the organization that assigns ratings based on a fan's ability to withstand outdoor conditions - and they're categorized in one of three ways:

UL Listed for Dry Locations. Ceiling fans that are marked "UL Listed" are only for dry locations. That means indoor areas that aren't usually subject to damp conditions.
UL Listed for Damp Locations. Damp locations need fixtures marked "Suitable for Damp Locations" because that means the electrical components can only tolerate condensation of moisture. You can only use these in covered, protected locations that won't come into contact with water - even during storms.
UL Listed for Wet Locations. These types of ceiling fans are marked "Suitable for Wet Locations." You can use these fans indoors or outdoors, and they're acceptable for locations where water may come into contact with the electrical components of the fan. Even most covered porches require outdoor ceiling fans that are wet location-ready.

Find the Right Outdoor Ceiling Fan for Your Porch, Gazebo or Patio Now

Scroll through Build.com's extensive selection of outdoor ceiling fans to find one that's perfect for your living space. We carry fans from the world's most reputable manufacturers in a variety of styles, sizes, and finishes so you can get exactly what you need today. If you have any questions, or would like assistance with an order, let us know! Our knowledgeable project experts are available 7 days a week, via chat, or by phone, at (800) 375-3403.

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