Abbey
Chandeliers - FAQ
There
are so many different types of crystal chandeliers. Which
one should I choose?
Chandeliers are rather like clothes.
You should buy one you feel comfortable with and you actually like.
Of course, you should pay some attention to the character of the
house, it would be wrong to put a very modern design in a period
room or vice versa. If you're still unsure many reputable dealers
will let you try one in your home and change it if you've made
a mistake. Some, a sadly dwindling number, will even visit your
home and bring a selection so you can see them in situation
How
much should I spend?
There's no right answer to this question, again it's a bit like buying clothes, or a car. Buy one you like and the best you can afford at the time. A good quality chandelier should last for many years, even generations. Good quality crystal lasts virtually for ever, individual crystals can be replaced, or have new pins fitted and the metalwork can be replated.
What size of chandelier should I choose?
One basic rule of thumb is to add together the room dimensions. For instance
if you had a room 14' by 16' you would add the two numbers together and
buy a chandelier of this size in inches, in this instance 30". You do need
to take into account the ceiling height, most modern houses have much lower
ceilings and you may need a slightly smaller one. If you have a high ceiling
you can choose a larger chandelier, If your ceiling is very high you should
certainly err on the side of large rather than small. There's nothing worse
than seeing a generously proportioned room with a too small chandelier
in it.
What
size chandelier should I hang over my dining table?
In
this case take the size of the table into account. Choose one
equal to half the width of the table. For example if you table
was 48" wide you should select one with a diameter of 24".
If the dining table is a permanent feature you can hang it
lower than usual, the ideal height is 30-32" above the top
of the table.
What
light bulbs should I use in my chandelier?
There's
no doubt that clear bulbs will make your crystals sparkle much
more than white ones. If you find clear bulbs too dazzling
you could consider installing a dimmer switch. Another option
is to use twisted clear candle lamps, which are not quite so
dazzling as the plain clear ones.
Why does some crystal sparkle and reflect colour more
than others?
This
is due to the lead oxide (PBO) content. The best crystal has
30% PBO and will exhibit all the colours of the spectrum. Crystal
with less than 30% PBO will reflect fewer colours.
What
should I use to clean my chandelier?
A
very mild detergent and water. Do not use chemicals or cleaning
agents as these will react with the metal pins causing them
to become brittle and tarnished. If you remove any crystals
make sure you know where they go. If in doubt draw a diagram
of the chandelier before you start. I have on more than one
occasion been called to a customers house to be greeted with
a heap of crystals and a bewildered customer. This is a good
reason for choosing a professional cleaning company in the
first place.
Is
it safe to put crystal prisms in the dishwasher?
Absolutely
not! The very high temperatures can cause the crystal prisms
to lose their brilliance and become cloudy.
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