Where's a good place to buy a ceiling rose?

HellieCopter

Hello,

I'm looking for a simple plaster (or mock plaster) ceiling rose for my lounge. I have no idea where to look, other than B&Q. Seen a few I like online, but postage is shocking (obviously, due to the weight!)

Any pointers to good websites you've used? Or shops in the Greater Manchester area (I live in Prestwich).

Thanks very much....

Hel

Alias_Omega

If its a plain white one, usual 6" or 9",

then either wilkinsons, or some electrical wholesaler.

Dont forget about Part P regulations with carrying out electrical work in your house.

HellieCopter

I'm just replacing an old, horrid plaster rose with a more simple one, so no wiring work required, thanks though!

Wilkos...didn't think of there!

andrew-b

For just a standard plastic round rose with pendant and lampholder that you put a shade on then B&Q, Wickes or any electrical wholesaler such as QVS, CEF etc. I'd go for a decent make like MK or Crabtree rather than the cheapy one's.

If you mean a complete light fitting including shade etc which you attach direct to the ceiling then it comes down much more to personal choice. I'm awaiting delivery of new wall lights and flush ceiling light for the lounge as well as bathroom lighting all from www.lights4living.com who seem to have a good range of stock compared to others websites i found. Navigate to "ceiling pendants" in the menu on the left of that website. Most of the fittings i've ordered are all around £30 mark and are low-energy ones (lounge will now have 82W of lighting when all the lights are on rather than 360W so should save me a few quid in electric bills!)

I was going to buy from Lighting World who are local to me but they couldn't supply me with what i wanted before the end of october and were more expensive for the same products (they were helpful though so from a customer service point of view i can't really fault them - just couldn't match on price and availability).

With regards to Part P...replacing a light fitting doesn't come under it. However, i'll pre-empt another "which wire goes where in my ceiling rose" thread by advising you to make careful note of exactly which wire was connected upto where on the existing ceiling rose before you disconnect anything. Take a photo if you can first and label wires with sticky labels, or mark the insulation with coloured felt-tip etc - in particular you need to identify the switched live wire. Have a look here http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/diy/electrics/light_fitting/ceiling_rose_wiring.htm for relevant information on wiring a ceiling rose.

Hope that helps

Andy

Peartree

I had a problem sourcing ceiling roses recently. The other problem you've got is that when you call it a rose it can be misinterpreted as the bit of the light fitting that attaches to the ceiling - as you can see above. Online, I noticed the plaster/pretend plaster ones are often called 'ceiling centres' instead.

Like you, I found the postage a bit excessive online. B&Q told me they didn't sell them anymore and I'm pretty sure there weren't any in Wilkinsons - but I eventually found some in a very dusty corner of Focus. They ones I got are very simple - just concentric 'grooves' if that makes sense. They are made by Arthouse which is (I think) based in the North West. The 'sales line' on the box is 01706 239600 - it might be worth calling to see if they can give you suppliers local to you.

Debt_Free_Chick

If you want anything other than a bog-standard rose/centre, try "decorative mouldings" or "plaster mouldings" when you Google.

But also try a local independent building supplies company. Many are stockists for the more "fancy" mouldings e.g. in my area B J Mammone are stockists for Hodkin & Jones. You can order via the supplier and save on the postage, though you might have to wait a week for delivery.

Probably only of real interest to those restoring period properties, though. And beware very decorative coving .... not easy to DIY unless you are very precise and very patient!!

dander

Last time I was in the B&Q megacentre - or whatever they call the really big ones - I noticed they have a range of about 5 or 6 ceiling roses. I would guess they're a range they don't carry in the smaller stores.

daviel

There is a good page on plaster mouldings at Freepedia Period Home Style. It covers the history and period styles. Further down the page there are links to internet companies that supply a whole rang of plaster mouldings, including ceiling roses.

http://www.freepedia.co.uk/DIRHomesPlastercoving.php