Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Ceiling joists too far apart

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Caitchri
08-24-08, 12:05 PM
I am installing a chandelier. I removed the old light (flourescent can) and tried putting in an expandable bar to hold the electrical box for the new light fixture. Only problem, the joists are more than 2 feet apart and the expandable bar only expands to 24 inches. What are my options?

chewylu103
08-24-08, 12:21 PM
can you get to the joists? are they exposed like in an attic or something, you might just have to buy some wood and build it out so that it will accomodate the expandable box you bought. otherwise call a plasterer cause you will have to open up your ceiling. and do it that way
chandler
08-24-08, 12:27 PM
If you can get a 2x4 up in the hole, lay it flat against one of the joists. That will close the gap up by 1 1/2". Need more, do the same to the other joist. The expanding box braces work off pressure anyway, so applying sufficient pressure should keep it all stable.

John Nelson
08-24-08, 01:49 PM
I'm not sure I would trust the pressure to keep two 2x4s together all by itself. However, if you can put a few screws through the two 2x4s, I would feel a lot better about that. Although the braces work off pressure, they have barbs that dig into the joists, and these barbs add significant strength over pressure alone.