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I am about to install a ceiling fan where there was only a simple light fixture before.

The existing electrical box will be removed, and I will install this box in its place. This has me attaching the box directly to a single joist in the ceiling.

enter image description here
Image from HardwareWorld.com

I am not planning to use a brace to suspend the box between two joists. This is a relatively modern house from the 70s and the ceiling appears to be in good condition. I am wondering do I need to reinforce the joists at all or is this sufficient to hang a ceiling fan of average weight?

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  • What is the size of these joists 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, etc? How much clearance do you have between the ceiling and whatever structure is above the joists?
    – Jim Stewart
    Jul 13, 2019 at 1:16
  • Why are you trying to whack-a-dack it instead of getting a fan box that's made to attach to a single joist?
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Jul 13, 2019 at 19:07

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Brace Yourself!

The problem is not the simple strength of the ceiling joists - we'll presume that even a single joist is strong enough to hold up a fan. The problem is that a box next to a joist will not be stable enough to support a fan if it is only supported on one side. A typical brace solves that problem.

An alternative is to place the box under a joist. However, unless this is an open ceiling, that will (a) have the box dropping below the finished ceiling and (b) not look very nice.

So unless you really like a wobbling fan, use a brace: enter image description here

You also get the nice advantage of more flexibility for placement of the fan, though if you are making use of an existing hole in the ceiling then that is a non-issue.

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That is a new-work box. It is intended to be installed before drywall goes up.

However, I see two big bolts that appear to attach the box proper to its included bracket. It appears they are separable, e.g. for the purpose of accessing the mounting screws. If you can find a way to install it exactly and fully as the instructions state, that would be fine. Obviously that would involve some intricate "dental" work in close quarters that would be impossible if the box didn't separate, but the separation of box and bracket may allow that.

Do not do it wack-a-dack merely because doing it correctly is too hard -- that's what people are warning you off from.

However if you can do it as the box is intended to mount, then the box is literally built to work that way.

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    The description on the box does state that it is for use in both new and old work.
    – castis
    Jul 15, 2019 at 2:09
  • @castis OK, that explains why it has bolts to allow the box to separate from the bracket.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Jul 15, 2019 at 18:31
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The description of this box does not state it can be installed through an existing hole in ceiling drywall. It may be for installation before the ceiling drywall is in place.

If for some reason you cannot use a "brace" between two studs, you could use a saddle box around this stud and hang the fan directly under the stud. The saddle box does not project past 1/2 inch drywall and is covered by the fan shroud. You cut away the drywall to match the circular outline of the box and you would have to patch the old hole.

The saddle box itself does not hold the fan. The fan support bracket is held by screws which go through the box and deep into the stud. You would then have to patch the ceiling.

The probable best solution is the brace between two studs. The box on the brace might not be able to be positioned as close to the joist as the original box so you might have to cut away some drywall on the side of the existing hole away from the joist. You could use this to patch the other side of the hole which may be covered by the shroud on the fan.

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    The description on the box does state that it is for use in both new and old work.
    – castis
    Jul 15, 2019 at 2:09
  • I can't see where it says that but I take your word for it. I can imagine the details of how it would be used in a retrofit: box separates from metal bracket which is screwed to the joist. Sheet metal tab on box is slipped under the drywall (and nailed or screwed through the drywall?), then box attached to the bracket. But how deep a joist is required for the box to fit flush with the drywall? And is this necessary? Why wouldn't it be better to use a brace? But OK go for it!
    – Jim Stewart
    Jul 15, 2019 at 2:49

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