<p>I’d like to put a ceiling fan outdoors on the balcony outside our master bedroom. But the balcony’s not wide enough for 52" blades, and it’s difficult to find reasonably-priced outdoor-compatible fans in a 44" or smaller size. Can you buy a 52" fan and trim 10" off the end of each blade with a saw? Or, is it likely that you could find shorter replacement blades whose holes would line up with the holes on the fan housing? If so, would the 52" fan operate OK?</p>
<p>I would worry about the balancing of the fan if you trim the blades that much. The motor is calibrated for one size circle and shortening it by such a great amount might make it vibrate a lot, spin way too fast, and look really odd! Did you visit the websites for Hunter, etc or look in remodeling magazines? I’ve seen many fans in small, 44" sizes( but they all have just 4 blades) at Home Depot and Lowes.In fact, I have one on the ceiling of my enclosed back porch. Also, is the balcony enclosed by windows to protect it from the elements? I would worry about putting a fan that is UL rated for home installation in a place where it could be exposed to rain and high winds- take a trip to the home center and talk to someone there ( ideally they should be over the age of 16 and have some experience in these matters!!). Good luck!</p>
<ol>
<li>Turn the fan on.</li>
<li>Hold a machete up to the fan blades (a chain saw will substitute).</li>
<li>Trim to desired length.</li>
</ol>
<p>Oh - you said ‘can’ - not ‘how’. You can buy replacement blades as a set from Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Just buy a set of 42" or so replacement blades and try it. It should be fairly balanced since all the blades will be the same length/weight/shape. Worst case it’d be a $15 experiment.</p>
<p>In this economy you have to make do with what you got. Keep the fan, but hire an architect, a designer, a contractor and a variance lawyer to enlarge the balcony in order to facilitate said fan.</p>
<p>And pls post pics.</p>
<p>A home center with an employee over 16 and with some experience in home remodeling…let me know when you find that!</p>
<p>Purchase of shorter blades is the preferred solution … but can the existing ones be shortened? Yes. Just be sure to balance the shortened blades carefully!</p>
<p>The manufacturer sells different length blades. Most will fit the same drill holes because it’s simpler for them to have one pattern. The blade holders pitch the blades at different angles - depending on the strength of the motor they’re designed for. </p>
<p>You may find it’s cheaper to get a fan that fits than to replace the blades. You won’t need a powerful one and the package of fan + blades is priced better than blades alone.</p>
<p>Will this one work? [41U11D</a> - Wailea Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan, Transitional Ceiling Fans by Casablanca Fan Co.](<a href=“http://www.ceilingfanuniverse.com/OutdoorCeiling/Wailea-Indoor-Outdoor-Ceiling-Fan_2512125.html]41U11D”>http://www.ceilingfanuniverse.com/OutdoorCeiling/Wailea-Indoor-Outdoor-Ceiling-Fan_2512125.html)</p>
<p>How about [any</a> of these](<a href=“http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/s_CEILING-FAN/ceiling-fans/Size_44-in@@@-Span-or-Smaller/Type_Ceiling-Fan-Without-Light-Kit/]any”>http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/s_CEILING-FAN/ceiling-fans/Size_44-in@@@-Span-or-Smaller/Type_Ceiling-Fan-Without-Light-Kit/)? I like the 46" Quorum Pinwheel Multi-Colored Ceiling Fan.</p>
<p>A set of replacement blades runs about $15 at Lowes/Home Depot so it’d be hard to buy a whole new fan for that amount of dough.</p>
<p>If they fit the fan and if they’re decent quality. Nice blades but nothing odd by a company like Casablanca can run $45 to $60 or even more if you want something special.</p>
<p>lol toblin</p>
<p>what ever happened? I have the same problem with my porch/availability of a 42" fan… did you cut or buy shorter blades? Did you fan motors explode and burn your house down? Or is it bounce free and more pleasent on your patio now?</p>
<p>archiemom, what a cool ceiling fan site - they’re so unique! Love those Quorum Angel fans 
Thanks for posting it!</p>
<p>This thread is over two years old…I’d love to know the OPs solution.</p>