I want to hang n fan in a covered pavilion which has a gazebo like roof, held up by rafters. I've purchased a ceiling fan box/support that is designed to fit between joists, but there are no joists. I was wondering if I could use 2 stacked 2×4's attached perpendicular to the rafters (with lag bolts) and then connect the fan box between the two by fours.
This photo shows the roof rafters and the drawing indicates the idea. The other photos show a mock-up of what it would look like (ignore the clamp, it is just holding the mock-up together — in the application the 2×4's would be attached to the rafter with bolts).
Basically, the 2×4's create a 'joist' for the fan box to attach to. (The plates on the end of the fan box are aligned so that they can only be attached on the ends, and not flat against the joists).
Will this work? Or is there another way to do it?
Best Answer
A lot of this comes down to aesthetics and practicality, so you will probably get lots of right answers. Here's my take:
I would run your short piece of 2x4 level at the peak alongside 2 of the rafters. You will then be able to use a saddle fan box to mount your fan. This box slides over the 2x4, and is only fastened using a set screw. You then use wood screws to actually fasten the fan bracket to the 2x4 behind the box, not the box itself.