How important are the blades when choosing a ceiling fan?

When choosing a ceiling fan for your home, one of the key aspects to take into account is the type of blade material. Sometimes, this aspect is relegated to the background, however, it is as important as the type of motor (DC and AC) or the size of the room.

For example, if your residence is located in areas of extreme humidity, it is not advisable to purchase a ceiling fan with wooden blades, as this is a porous material and humidity can have a detrimental effect on the blades. In these cases, it is advisable to purchase a ceiling fan with plastic blades.

There are cases similar to the above that occur with the rest of the materials that we must take into account so that our purchase is satisfactory and the ceiling fan lasts for many years.

This material is made from thin wood veneers glued together with the fibres crosswise to each other using synthetic resins under high pressure and heat. If we want to recognise this type of material in the blades of ceiling fans, it is very simple, as these are thin and flat blades.

This component is characterised by being durable and robust and quite attractive to look at. For example, the blades of the AVERIO PRO, TAHITÍ, GOMERA models are made of this material.

MDF is a lower quality material, “cheaper and offers less durability compared to plywood“, says Zorilla. In addition, an essential point for consumers is the energy consumption of ceiling fans, which is minimal, thanks to the fact that the plywood material is very light.

Ceiling fans made of real wood are among the most popular, thanks to the sophisticated and warm appearance they offer to rooms. Contrary to what it may seem at first, this material is characterised by its light weight. However, as we mentioned at the beginning, it is not recommended for use in areas with sudden changes in temperature or extreme humidity. Some of our ceiling fans with natural wood blades are MILANO, SINTRA or MANILA.

The wood used by Arteconfort ceiling fans is Paulownia, not only because it is characterised by a strong and large grain, but also because there is no danger of extinction of this species. Our wooden ceiling fans are certified under the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) seal. This means that the wood in our products comes from well-managed forests and plantations, in accordance with international sustainability standards.

There is a misconception about fans with more blades, as it is often said that they generate more air. This is not correct:  whether a ceiling fan produces more or less air depends on the shape of the blade and the pitch.

In other words, if I have a fan with curved blades, it will generate more airflow than a fan with flat blades. In the same way, the angle of inclination of the blades is a key factor in the performance of the fan, since the greater the angle, the more air the fan will move.

As explained in this article, other important aspects to consider when buying a ceiling fan are as follows:

• The size of the fan.
• The motor technology.
• The type of lighting.
• Whether the fan is to be used indoors or outdoors.
• The mode of ignition.
• Other special functions.

Don’t forget the importance of being environmentally responsible and if you have had a fan for many years and need to change it, don’t throw it away, but put it in the bin.