Spin Control
Ceiling fans look sharp and produce a welcome cool breeze on hot summer days. But a recent study of 400 homes by the Florida Solar Energy Center found that ceiling fans actually increase energy bills if they aren't used properly. The study found ... [... more]
This Old House |
Fan Appreciation
Lighted ceiling fans offer a lot of bang for the buck. Their gentle, cooling breezes can transform a room that feels like a jail cell on a muggy tropical isle into paradise. What's more, they're easy to install. Replacing an overhead light ... [... more]
This Old House |
The Right Setting
No, it's not your imagination—it definitely is getting hotter. The eight warmest years on record occurred over the past decade. But staying cool this summer doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay a fortune to keep the air-conditioning running ... [... more]
This Old House |
REMOTE CONTROL
You might not think it to look at one, but there's a pretty dramatic story behind the electric ceiling fan. Invented in 1882, its early applications were commercial—in city meat markets for instance, to turn away airborne pests. But fans' ... [... more]
This Old House |
Hit the Ceiling
By now you're probably starting to realize just how much that cranked-up AC cost you this summer. Pretty disturbing, huh? To lower next year's bills—and keep your house cooled down during these final days of summer—how about installing a nice, ... [... more]
This Old House |
Choosing a Fan
Nimbus, The Modern Fan Company Tristar, Emerson Odyssey, Emerson Malibu Star, Casablanca Star, Casablanca Innova, Hunter Orion, The Modern Fan Co. Petal, Emerson The right ceiling fan will help cool down sizzling July afternoons and add a nice ... [... more]
This Old House |
Embossed Metal Ceilings
Metal ceilings were sold in 2-by-4-foot sections, but larger ones were also available. Originally they cost about 10 cents per square foot. Today, vintage tiles like these at Discovery Architectural Antiques in Texas sell for between $5 and $25 ... [... more]
This Old House |
Ceiling Medallion
You rarely notice one, but it has a big impact on every room. In fact, you look right at it when you do sit-ups or lie down for a nap. Give up? It's the ceiling. And stepping up to one of the seven improvements we'll cover here is one of the ... [... more]
This Old House |
Preserving Historic Plaster
Lime plasters have been used in construction for thousands of years everywhere from Japan to Europe. When the Charlestown house was built in 1865, plasterers used lime plaster. Lime plasters are ideal candidates for repairs, because they ... [... more]
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Sensational Ceiling
Ceilings, like Rodney Dangerfield, get no respect. They're the most visible single surface in a room, yet most simply are painted white when a room is remodeled? and are ignored until a leak creates a stain or turns the drywall to mush. Invest a ... [... more]
This Old House |
How to Install a Ceiling Fan: Overview
Somewhat easy. It takes a bit of work to install a fan-approved electrical box, but the ceiling-fan assembly and installation are very straightforward. The popularity of ceiling fans continues to grow as more and more homeowners discover ... [... more]
This Old House |
How to Hang a Tin Ceiling: Overview
Installing the plywood can be a struggle and the cornices require some fussing, but the pressed-metal panels go up surprisingly quickly. So you're soaking in the tub, you've got the candles going, you look up, and what do you see? Nothing. Well, ... [... more]
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