Why do some bathroom wall fixtures say "Wall mount only this side up"?

Question

The light fixture I bought is meant to hang with the lights hanging down, but I want to hang it with the lights up because it looks better that way. Does it say to hang it down because the 3 glass shades are too heavy to be pointing up? Should I just hang it up anyway instead of hanging down?

The fixture looks similar to this one:
http://www.lampsusa.com/productimages/Dolan/343-09_thumb.jpg

Answer 1

Hi The Answer is No,

Your name makes me think of my wife :)

As far as your fixture goes I would be comfortable hanging it up. The heat will vent up better then down so that isn't an issue. The shades won't fall up.

I would do it.

Norm

Answer 2

With all due respect, and without knowing the structure of the fixture, I suppose you might be able to modify it, but obviously the design is what it is.

In a physical sense the "hanging" is being handled by gravity, where as the weight, and shape of the glass shades might cause some imbalance otherwise.

Is the fixture the type where the wiring to each bulb socket is kind of like a Goose Neck? If so they might better support the weight in the down position. They may be attached with welds? If so that eliminates the option of flipping them 180.

Have you considered returning it and looking for one more appropriate to what you want? Obviously, and with respect to another who answered, Certainly it's your house and you CAN do what you want, however the manufacturer seems to have designed the fixture as is.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

It's a bathroom fixture. When standing in the bathroom, your face is below the fixture. Why would you want the light to be pointing at the ceiling? It would dim the brightness of the bulbs, create shadows making applying make-up frustrating, not to mention be a possible fire hazzard. If you really want the lights to point upward, take this fixture back to the store and purchase one that points up toward the ceiling.

Answer 4

A lot of fixtures don't specify this, so if this one does, you probably shouldn't hang it any other way. Other than that, I don't have a good answer for you. Perhaps you should call the phone number in the box before you decide though.

I CAN tell you this though, if you do not follow the instructions and there's a fire in your house caused by improper installation, your insurance company probably won't make a payout.

Answer 5

It was probably designed to have the glass shades hanging down. By putting that warning on it, they basically absolve themselves of responsibility if you don't do it that way.
Try it out to see if you think it will hold, but if you're not sure it's probably better to go with what it says.

Answer 6

the reason is during the UL heat test they only passed in one direction which more than likely is with the base of the light bulb down. in the other direction the heat would rise and go in to the socket and over heat it.

Answer 7

Just like most woman say to men......... Follow the instructions, there is reason they put them in there. Good Luck

Answer 8

go ahead and hang it the way you want to your house

Answer 9

the answer is no