Replacing Your Fixture’s Glass Shade

Do you have a broken or outdated glass shade you are looking to replace? Changing the glass shades on your fixtures may seem fairly straight-forward, however, there are a few important details to consider; shade dimensions and holder type.
 
How do I determine the size of my glass shade?
There are three measurements you should gather to find the correct glass shade for your fixture: fitter size, width and height.
 
First, measure the fitter size. What’s the fitter, you may ask? It is the lip which is inserted into the fixture’s shade holder to keep it in place. To get this dimension, measure the inner diameter of the shade holder. This number will be slightly smaller than the fitter size so it can sit inside the shade holder. The most common diameters for shade holders are 2 1/4", 3 1/4", 4", 6", 10" and 12".
 
Next, measure the width across the widest part of the shade, which may be the top, middle or bottom – depending on the shade type and style.
 
Last, measure the height from the base of the fitter lip to the bottom of the shade.

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​What type of holder do I have?
Now that you’ve determined the dimensions of your glass shade, you’ll have to figure out if your shade holder is a fixture, also known as lip type, or straight type.

​Fixture-type holders are often used in hanging fixtures and use small screws that hold the lampshade in place. In most fixtures, the holders are “face down”. If the screws are not properly tightened, the shades will fall out of the holder to the floor. These types of holders almost always have a “lip” type fitter.

​​The other type of holder would be the straight type. These holders do not require screws as they are typically in an upright position where the fitter sits inside of the shade’s holder.

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Fixture (Lip) Fitter example: Westinghouse ​6325400

Straight-Type Fitter example: Westinghouse ​63438b

​​Next time your glass shade breaks or you want to upgrade your look, remember these important factors and you’ll find a great replacement with ease! While you’re at it, consider upgrading your entire fixture to an energy efficient LED option.
 
Still finding it a bit tricky to find a replacement glass shade? Call our Customer Service department at 877.231.2852 today and speak to one of our knowledgeable representatives! You can also email us here or leave a comment below.