Top Quality Outdoor Ceiling Fans for Harsh Environments

How to Choose the Right Outdoor Ceiling Fan:

Building Code Requirements: There are 2 types of outdoor ceiling fans: those that are UL Listed for Damp Locations and those UL Listed for Wet Locations. If you are installing a ceiling fan outdoors, building safety codes require that you install an outdoor ceiling fan with the correct UL listed approval rating depending on where the fan is installed.

What is the difference between Wet Rated and Damp Rated outdoor ceiling fans? Wet rated outdoor fans can be installed anywhere (indoors or outdoors) and Damp Rated fans can only be installed in dry locations or damp covered areas that are not exposed directly to rain. So, any outdoor location that is directly exposed to rain requires wet rated ceiling fan. This includes uncovered areas, partially covered areas or covered areas where rain (or water from sprinklers) can come in contact with the fan. All other outdoor areas that are covered or not exposed directly to rain can use a wet rated or damp rated fan. Fans that are not rated for damp or wet locations can only be installed indoors. Both wet and damp location fans can also be used indoors and are highly recommended indoors for climates that are very humid or areas in the home that are damp such as bathrooms or laundry rooms.

Examples of where to install a WET rated fan:

• A patio, porch or other outdoor living area with a lattice or screened covering...or no covering at all.
• A pergola or partially covered Gazebo.
• A narrow porch or lanai where the fan is close enough to the edge for rain to blow on it.
• Any indoor or outdoor location close to the ocean or in humid climates (read more below).

Examples of where to install a DAMP rated fan:

• A covered patio or wide porch where rain cannot reach the fan.
• Screened in porch or sunroom.
• A Gazebo that is completely covered and rain cannot reach the fan.
• Any covered area over a pool (indoor or outdoor).
• Bathrooms that have a tub or shower.
• Laundry rooms.
• Indoors in humid climates

Can you install an indoor ceiling fan outdoors? The answer is NO, you should never install an indoor ceiling fan outdoors, even if it is a screened in area. Ceiling fans that are not UL listed for outdoors are not designed to handle excess moisture and harsh elements such as UV radiation and fluctuations in temperature. Simply put, an indoor ceiling fan will not survive outdoors. Even more, they can short out and create a potential fire hazard. So it is critical that the correct type of ceiling fan be installed outdoors.

How are outdoor fans different than indoor fans?

In order for a ceiling fan to be rated for use outdoors it must be built to a different standard than fans made only for indoor use. Some of the differences include additional water resistant shielding around wires and other electrical components as well as the use of stainless steel screws and other hardware. The exposed parts of the fan must have a weather and UV resistant coating or paint. The blades are often made of ABS plastic in order to avoid warping and deterioration over time. Light fixtures used on outdoor fans must also have additional protection from moisture and wet rated light fixtures may need to be completely sealed and water tight. These additional features may add some additional cost to an outdoor ceiling fan, but in most cases, the added cost is minimal compared to the design limitations they create. In other words, some ceiling fans designed for use indoors simply cannot be made for use outdoors because it is not practical or possible to make them water resistant. Some popular ceiling fan styles can be made into outdoor fans with very little additional cost, so manufacturers may choose to make them as wet rated outdoor fans so that people can use them in any location whether it be indoors or outdoors. A great example is the Emerson Curva and Emerson Curva Sky, which are very popular for both indoor and outdoor use..

Outdoor Ceiling Fans for Salt Air Environments

Live near the beach? The most durable ceiling fans currently being made for installations in salt air environments are made from Marine Grade Stainless Steel or Cast Poly Resin. These 3 fans are specifically designed to handle the most harsh exterior applications with excessive exposure to moisture and salt air.

Matthews Donaire
316 Stainless Steel (bronze)

Matthews Donaire
316 Stainless Steel (brushed)

Minka Aire Concept Wet
316 Stainless Steel (bronze)

Minka Aire Concept Wet
316 Stainless Steel (brushed)

Minka Aire Concept
Cast Poly Resin

Minka Aire Concept II
Cast Poly Resin - Flush Mount

Although there is no specific UL listing for fans used in salt air environments, we offer the following advice for those who live near the ocean or a marine environment with salty air.

• Choose wet rated ceiling fans for both indoor and outdoor areas that are exposed to salt air.
  
  
• Fans made from Cast Poly Resin or Marine Grade Stainless Steel are the very best for salt air environments
  
  
• If the above fans are not for you, be sure to choose a fan that has a powder coat finish with a UV coating as opposed to a polished metal finish.
  
  
• Darker more rustic finishes will do best. Even if they do begin to show signs of rust over the years, it will only add more character to the finish.
  
  
• If you must choose a white or off-white fan, more expensive models (over $250) will usually have a special UV coating that helps prevent yellowing and flaking.
  
  
• If you prefer a metallic finish, make sure you choose a high quality wet rated fan even if it is going into a damp location.
  
  
• Unless you choose Marine Grade Stainless Steel or Cast Poly Resin, you can expect some signs of rust over the years regardless of the quality.
  
  
• Avoid cheaper brands sold at home centers, they simply will not hold up in salt air even if they are wet rated.
  
  

Outdoor Ceiling Fans for High Wind Locations

High Wind Locations: Many of our visitors come to us looking for replacement blades or blade holders that were broken by high winds. In almost every case, it was a low quality ceiling fan that had weak blade holders or cheap blades. Unfortunately, replacement parts are not typically available for these types of fans and they end up having to buy a new fan. Although there are no ceiling fans specifically made for windy areas, we have several recommendations that will help you choose from fans that are most likely to survive heavy winds.

• Choose a ceiling fan that does not have blade arms, but rather one where the blades connect directly to the body of the fan. These are known as "Unibody Ceiling Fans" in the ceiling fan terminology. Broken blade arms are the #1 demise of a ceiling fan in high winds. The Minka Aire Concept I, Minka Aire Concept II and Minka Aire Traditional Concept 44 are examples of such fans
  
  
• If you have a flat ceiling that is 9 feet high or less, choose a flushmount fan with a Unibody design. Fans that hang on a downrod can sway violently in strong wind, which can cause the blades to hit the ceiling and break.
  
  
• If you must choose a fan that hangs on a downrod because you have a higher ceiling, buy a fan with ABS plastic blades that are convex in shape as these will be less likely to break in the event the fan sways too much. All of the Minka Aire Concept fans listed above have such blades.
  
  
• If you do not like the Unibody style fans because they are too contemporary for your application, be sure that the fan you buy has substantial blade holders like the Casablanca Heritage. The Heritage ceiling fans are also great for high ceilings because they have a very powerful motor and move lots of air.
  
  
• No, there are no ceiling fans that are designed with a "Quick Release" type of mounting hardware that makes them easy to remove when winds kick up.
  
  
• No, there are no ceiling fans that have blades designed for quick removal either.
  
  
• Yes, many people have expressed the desire for such fans...and we have suggested this to ceiling fan manufacturers.
  
  

Indoor Damp Locations: It is also recommended that damp or wet rated ceiling fans be used in any indoor location that is exposed to excess moisture such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or simply in climates where there is a lot of moisture in the air, particularly in areas close to the ocean or that have tropical climates. The Casablanca Wailea (#9 to the right) is our most popular choice for bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Wind Speed is Critical for Outdoor Fans

For open outdoor areas we recommend fans with at least 3.5 to 4 MPH wind speed (or more) and, in most cases, multiple smaller fans instead of individual larger fans. Wind speed is critical because ceiling fans cool you off by the breeze they create, they do not change the temperature of the air. The faster the air moves, the cooler you will feel. Wind Speed is not to be confused by the amount of airflow measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute) that is published by fan manufacturers. CFM only tells you how much air is moved, not how fast that air is moving. Most fans on our site have a performance graph that provides both the CFM and MPH (wind speed), so pay close attention to the MPH not the CFM. For example: large fans that have unusually high airflow ratings (above 10,000 CFM) move lots of air, but at a much slower speed than smaller fans. Also, don't expect to feel much breeze from even the best outdoor fan if you are not directly beneath it. Within just 2 feet away from any fan, the wind speed can be less than half as much, especially in open areas where the airflow is not confined. This is why we recommend multiple fans outdoors.

2) Keeping Bugs away requires Higher Wind Speed

Some studies have shown that pesky insects like mosquitoes and flies are less likely to remain air born in winds over 5 MPH. So if you are considering buying a fan to keep those bugs away, you need to consider a fan with the highest wind speed you can get. Most ceiling fans are not capable of producing that strong a breeze and those that can are generally smaller in diameter and focus the breeze in a very narrow area, so several fans may be required. Here's a link to outdoor fans that create the highest wind speed.

Comparing Outdoor Ceiling Fans

Read More

More About CFMs and Wind Speed: Our website is the only site online with graphs that compare the most important factors of ceiling fan performance. Be sure to familiarize yourself with our ceiling fan comparison graphs as you look through our site. For more information about comparing the performance of ceiling fans, read this page: Who Makes the Best Ceiling Fans? The Online Guide to Comparing Ceiling Fans.

Talk to a Ceiling Fan Expert! Because there is so much to consider when shopping for an outdoor ceiling fan, we recommend that you simply call and talk to one of our ceiling fan experts. We will be able to tell you the difference between each of the outdoor fans on our site and help you choose the best fan for your application.

Talk to a Ceiling Fan Expert
Call: 1-800-201-1193