How to Fit a Ceiling Rose
Ceilings are one of the main features of every room of the house, yet they’re often neglected when it comes to interior design and home decor.
One great way to make your ceiling a focal point of a room is to install a ceiling rose.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what a ceiling rose is, as well as explain how you can go about fitting one in your property.
What Is A Ceiling Rose?
Ceiling roses were once common in homes across the country, and can still be found in many traditional or period properties.
It is a decorative element that is located on the ceiling of a room- most typically a living room or lounge. Usually, the ceiling rose will be round or ornately shaped, and it is mounted on the ceiling and serves as a place to connect and support lighting features like chandeliers or pendant lights.
Often, they’re made from plastic, metal or plaster and come with a number of entry points in which electrical wiring can be inserted. This allows for the wires to be connected from the main power supply of the light fixture.
Sometimes, no lighting will be connected to a ceiling rose and it will be simply used as decoration and a way to enhance the aesthetics of a ceiling. They come in a whole host of designs and styles that incorporate intricate patterns, textures and motifs that can be tailored specifically to the unique character of the individual.
While mainly found in older properties, many people will decide to have a ceiling rose installed in their contemporary home to add a touch of elegance or a vintage feature to a room.
What Do You Need To Fit A Ceiling Rose?
When it comes to most effectively fitting a ceiling rose, it’s important you have the appropriate equipment in place.
We recommend the following:
- A ceiling rose of your choice (make sure it’s been moulded by a specialist provider)
- An electric drill
- Plaster screws
- A hole cutter or saw (only necessary if using as a light fitting)
- An adhesive
- A 11/2 inch trowel
- A stud finder
- Sandpaper
- A hand sander
- A ventilation mask
- A tack cloth
- A damp cloth or sponge
- Paint
- Caulk or similar sealant
- A pencil
- Two ladders
So, now you know what you need it’s time to look at how to fit a ceiling rose.
Read on to find out…
How To Fit A Ceiling Rose?
Now you have all of your equipment, it’s time to begin fitting a ceiling rose.
By following the steps below, you should have your new ceiling rose in place in no time.
Preparation
There is a certain amount of preparation you should undertake before fitting a ceiling rose.
If you’re intending that your ceiling rose will be more than just a decorative element, and is going to act as a light fitting, you must turn off the power at the mains. This is essential to ensure you don’t suffer from any dangerous electrical shocks during the process.
If a previous ceiling rose was in place, you must remove this before you go any further, so you’re just left with a plain wire hanging down from your ceiling.
In some instances, you may intend for the ceiling rose to support a light fitting that does not yet exist. In this scenario, you must hire a trained and qualified electrician to install the new fitting. You should not attempt this yourself.
Plus, any ceiling rose that is to be used as a light fitting must have an opening made in its centre. You can use your hole cutter, drill or saw to do this and the electrician you’ve hired can advise on the size of the opening.
Ceiling roses that are significantly heavy must be screwed into the joists. Before you start, you must locate these joists, alongside pipes and electrical wires, using your stud finder.
Sanding The Area
Now all the initial prep is out of the way, you can begin the installation process.
Assuming there was no ceiling rose in place to begin with and the ceiling is a flat surface, you should start by sanding the space where the ceiling rose will go. Use sandpaper or your hand sander to do this and use a mask to protect yourself from breathing in any debris.
Once you’re finished sanding, go over the area with a tack cloth.
Marking The Position
Next, set up your two ladders.
You will need someone to assist you here and both you and your helper should each stand on one of the ladders.
They should hold the ceiling rose in position while you mark where it’s going to go with a pencil.
Mark The Ceiling Joists
This is one of the most important parts of the process. Use a stud finder to locate where your ceiling joists are.
A stud finder is fairly easy to use and works in a similar way as a metal detector. Simply turn it on, and move the device across the ceiling until it flashes or beeps. When it does so, it means it has detected something metal, such as the nails in your ceiling joists.
Using your pencil, draw some small, perpendicular lines outside where the rose will sit in order to provide guidelines for yourself.
Apply The Adhesive
Now, it’s time to apply the adhesive that will be used to stick the ceiling rose to the ceiling’s surface.
First, mix the adhesive as outlined by the product’s user instructions.
Next, place the ceiling rose on a nearby surface and apply the adhesive to it. Use your 11/2 inch trowel to do this and be sure to leave a gap of 5cm around the perimeter so the adhesive can spread.
Place The Ceiling Rose
Now it’s time to get your ceiling rose into position.
Get on your ladder and lift the rose to the ceiling, making sure to thread any electrical wires through the hole in the centre. Then, push the ceiling rose onto the ceiling using your previously made markings as a guide.
Hold the ceiling rose into position for as long as the instructions told you to. Typically, this will be around three-five minutes.
Attach The Ceiling Rose
Once the adhesive has worked its magic and the ceiling rose has stuck, it’s time to secure it.
Grab your electric drill and screw in the plaster screws through the rose and into your ceiling joists. Do this in three or four places to ensure the rose is secure and holes should be countersunk to hide your screw heads.
Tidy Up
Next, it’s time to tidy up your handiwork.
Wipe away any excess adhesive by using a damp cloth or sponge. However, be sure not to use a coloured cloth in case the colour of the material runs onto the ceiling or the rose.
To enhance the aesthetic further, you may also consider painting over plaster screws to help them blend in with the ceiling rose, or consider caulking the edges of your new decoration. Make sure to use a sealant that matches the colour of the plaster of the ceiling rose.
Consider Professional Help
Once you’ve followed all of the above steps, then voila! You’ll have a great new ceiling rose in place.
However, fitting a ceiling rose can be tricky and even the most accomplished DIYers may struggle. If this is the case for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with professional decorators to assist.
This is even more important when rerouting or adapting electrics in any way may be required. In these instances, always contact a professional and qualified electrician.
