The lighting medallion is the most common ceiling medallion application, and the one that has the most direct visual impact. The medallion frames the chandelier or the ceiling fan, and the room gains a focal point that the bare ceiling doesn't have.
For chandeliers, the medallion is sized to be approximately twice the chandelier's diameter. A 400 millimeter chandelier gets a 700 to 800 millimeter medallion. The medallion's design is coordinated with the chandelier's style — a classical chandelier with a classical medallion, a modern chandelier with a modern medallion. The medallion is installed before the chandelier is re-hung, with the chandelier's mounting hardware passing through the medallion's center.
For ceiling fans, the medallion is typically larger than for a chandelier of the same scale, because the ceiling fan is wider and the medallion needs to frame the entire fan. A 1.2 meter ceiling fan gets a 1.0 to 1.2 meter medallion. The medallion's design is usually simpler than for a chandelier, because the ceiling fan is a utility element and the medallion should support rather than compete with it.
For flush-mount and semi-flush lights, the medallion is smaller and simpler, because the light is closer to the ceiling and the medallion has less visual real estate. A 200 to 300 millimeter flush mount gets a 350 to 500 millimeter medallion. The medallion's design is usually a simple flat or stepped profile.
For pendants, the medallion is sized to frame the pendant's canopy, with the pendant hanging below the medallion. The medallion is typically 400 to 600 millimeters for a single pendant in a standard room, larger for a large pendant in a tall room. The medallion's design is coordinated with the pendant's style.
For sourcing, the right conversation with the factory is about the fixture type, the fixture dimensions, the ceiling material, and the design style. The factory needs the center hole size (so the fixture's mounting hardware fits through the medallion) and the outer diameter (so the medallion is the right scale for the room). Most factories offer a custom center hole size at no extra cost.
A practical install note: the medallion is installed around the existing fixture, with the fixture's wiring disconnected and the fixture removed temporarily. The medallion is glued to the ceiling with construction adhesive and secured with screws into the ceiling joist. The fixture is then re-hung, with the wiring reconnected and the fixture's canopy covering the medallion's center hole. The painter's topcoat goes on the next day.
A practical note on ceiling fan medallions. The ceiling fan medallion has to support the additional weight and vibration of the fan. The medallion should be secured to the ceiling joist with screws, not just adhesive, and the fan's mounting bracket should be attached directly to the joist (through the medallion or beside it). The fan's vibration can loosen an inadequately secured medallion over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a PU ceiling medallion?
A: A PU ceiling medallion is a decorative polyurethane molding that frames a chandelier, ceiling fan, or pendant light. It hides wiring holes and adds architectural depth to flat ceilings. PU medallions weigh roughly 1/4 of equivalent plaster pieces and ship primed and paint-ready.
Q: How do you install Lighting medallions?
A: First, isolate power to the light fixture at the breaker. Apply a continuous bead of polyurethane construction adhesive to the back of Lighting medallions, lift it into place around the existing fixture, and press firmly against the ceiling. For heavy medallions (≥30 inches), drive two finish nails through the medallion into a ceiling joist. Patch nail heads, spackle the seam, sand smooth, and paint.
Q: What size ceiling medallion should I use?
A: Match medallion diameter to room and fixture size. A 12–18 inch medallion suits standard 8 ft ceilings and small pendants. 20–30 inch medallions anchor chandeliers in dining rooms and entryways. Use an oval medallion (e.g. 20×30 inch) over rectangular tables. The medallion should be roughly twice the diameter of the chandelier canopy.
Q: Are PU ceiling medallions paintable?
A: Yes — every PU medallion we produce arrives with a factory primer that bonds to any interior latex, acrylic, or oil-based paint. Most decorators apply two finish coats. For a metallic or antique look, use a base coat of acrylic latex followed by a glaze and dry-brush highlight.