Fittings

Lampshades come in all shapes and sizes with lots of different fittings.

Here I will explain a few of the fittings I use and the benefits of each so that you can choose the one that is the most suitable for your order.

Utility

Utility frames can be used with lampshade rings to make any style of lampshade, any size, for pendants or table lamps. 

They connect with any Irish, UK  (B22) or European (E27) lamp holders or pendant holders.

Duplex

Lampshades manufactured with duplex fittings are regarded as top quality products for the high end of the market.

They are used with shade carriers to connect to the lamp holder to the lampshade and control the height between.They can also be used with a spider fitting to be used as a pendant shade

Shade Carrier

The shade carrier is used to connect lampshades manufactured with Duplex rings to lamp holders and control the height. The height of the shade can then be adjusted relative to the lamp holder. 

They are great for table lamps in tight spaces and for large shades as they are easy to lift the shade onto.

If you order a duplex table/floor shade I will supply the appropriate shade carrier.

How to measure what size shade carrier you need?

Place the lamp shade on a flat surface. Take a tape measure or ruler and measure the distance between the duplex ring and the flat surface the lamp shade is sitting on. The shade carrier size you will need is this measurement minus 4/5 cm. This will leave the lamp shade sitting around 4cm below the bulb holder ensuring the bulb holder can’t be seen, leaving your lamp shade sitting perfectly on your base.

Spider

Lampshade spider will adapt a lampshade with a Duplex ring to a pendant fitting.
The spider will then fit onto any British (BC) or (E27) European lamp holder fittings.

Harp fitting

 This is the most common fitting for lamps made in the USA. It is suitable for making all types of circular or cone/tapered rigid lampshades that will fit lamps that use a harp or vertical rod system to hold the shade.  

I can make some style of shades which fit a 1/2 inch washer or I can provide an adaptor which will convert a E27 or B22 lamp holder to hold a harp finial.