How to Hang Stained Glass Lighting

Make sure the hanging mechanism can support the weight of the stained glass lamp.

Take special care when hanging stained glass lighting because of the delicate nature and heavier weight of stained glass. It is helpful when hanging a larger stained glass lamp to have an assistant help hold it in place while you are working with the wires and ceiling attachment. Stained glass lamps are hung either with a chain from a hook or from an electrical box installed to support the weight of the glass.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder and stepladder
• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Heavy-duty hook
• Stud finder (optional)
• Wire tester (if needed)
• Lightbulbs

Instructions

1. Turn off the power to the ceiling electrical box at the circuit breaker.

2. Unscrew and remove the existing light fixture. Untwist the old lamp's wires from the ceiling electrical box wires and unscrew the ground wire from the crossbar. Do not let the wires touch.

3. Check the ceiling electrical box installation to make sure it will be able to hold the weight of the stained glass lamp. The box should either be firmly connected to the ceiling joists or have a mounting bar that expands between the ceiling joists or studs to grip them firmly. If the stained glass lamp is hung from a chain, locate a stud in the area in which you would like the lamp to hang and screw a heavy-duty lamp hook into it. A drill can be used to start the screw hole if needed.

4. Twist the lamp's neutral wire (usually white) to the neutral wire in the ceiling electrical box, then twist the hot wire (usually black or red) to the wire for the lamp and screw on the wire caps. Attach the copper ground wire to the grounding screw on the crossbar for the ceiling electrical box.

5. Screw the decorative canopy into place and attach the stained glass lamp to the ceiling electrical box, either with screws or with a mounting post and decorative finial. If the lamp is hung from a chain, attach the chain to the hook, twisting the electrical wire through the chain to the electrical box.

6. Install the lightbulbs and restore power to the ceiling electrical box at the circuit breaker. Turn the light switch on to test the power.

Tips & Warnings

• Wiring in houses built before 1985 may not be rated for installation of lamps rated over 90 degrees Celsius. Call an electrician for assistance if you're in doubt about ratings.

• A lamp that weighs over 50 pounds requires its own support structure independent of the ceiling electrical box.

• Use the wire tester if necessary to make sure there is no power to the wires in the ceiling electrical box after the circuit breaker has been turned off.

References

• The Family Handyman: How to Hang a Ceiling Light Fixture
• Aubuchon Hardware: How to Install a Light Fixture
• Stained Glass Lamps Guide: Installing a Stained Glass Lamp above Pool Table