Light fixtures in 2 story foyers?

[MagicalMom]

How on Earth do you change the bulbs? Our foyer is about 20 feet high. We can't lean a ladder against the wall because the light fixture is in the center of the foyer? I was just wondering what others do?

 

[Papa Deuce]

How on Earth do you change the bulbs? Our foyer is about 20 feet high. We can't lean a ladder against the wall because the light fixture is in the center of the foyer? I was just wondering what others do?

Ah, let me tell you about the favorite feature in my home.... Our chandalier is on an electric chain. I turn the key and it lowers the light. I turn it the other way and it goes back up. Great for cleaning the light, as well.

Back in 2001, it was probably about $600 installed. But hey, a ladder of the size we would have needed was $500, and what would I do with the ladder? I needed a 16' A-Frame.

 

[MagicalMom]

That is exactly what I need! I will have to look for something like that. I knew there must be a secret and didn 't want to go door to door asking my neighbors! LOL

 

[RNMOM]

They do make extendable rods with suction cup things on the end to change bulbs.

This is why many of us choose NOT to have two story foyers. I am so afraid of heights to begin with the thought of painting, cleaning windows, etc terrorizes me. I love my little ranch house.

 

[Barb D]

As Hermione Granger would say, "Wingardium Leviosa!" (ETA: You ARE MagicalMom, aren't you?)

If that doesn't work, you could try this:

http://www.budgetlighting.com/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=6092832.9280&p_id=2207&xm=on&ppinc=search2

 

[minniecarousel]

Yeah - my next house will not have a 2-story entryway. Our "chandelier" is encased in glass and it's a killer to clean. Our tallest ladder and my 6 foot tall DH handles it, but he's not fond of that ladder.

 

[asta]

Our home has a couple of two story light fixtures and we took the plunge and bought one of those Little Giant ladders. It is such a sturdy ladder that it feels safe to climb that high and it has come in handy for several other jobs like painting and cleaning windows. The only drawback is that it is heavy.

For a new home, I would pay for the fixtures that could be lowered with a switch.

 

[lvanleer]

We don't have a 2 story foyer however we do have recessed lighting above our staircase going downstairs....so it might as well be 2 story because you can't put a ladder on the steps to change the lightbulbs.....my DH works for an electrical supply company and bought one of those poles that extends to change the bulbs.

 

[teacherforhi]

I just have really tall ceilings and use the one of the poles. I have horrible balance issues so don't climb on ladders and, short of having my father over to change the lights, it's the only way I can manage to do it.

 

[Jockaroo]

Well, my solution is to never turn the blasted thing on.

Mine is a cheap glass encased chandelier type that not only is 2 stories tall, it hangs over the staircase. We have a very tall A-frame ladder, but no room to open it up near the fixture. I hate this thing with a passion. It is dirty and dusty and no way to get to the thing to even clean it. My dream is to replace it with a fixture with a movable chain and have bulbs that point downward so I could use one of those extension poles. I really like my house, but the original owners really cheaped out on the light fixtures.

 

[RadioNate]

one of ours can be changed from the "loft" area on the stairs. The other one we actually had removed this fall when the foyer was painted after Fay.

The painters changed the bulbs for me on our 2 story family room light when they had the scaffolding up. I put in CF bulbs so hopefully we won't need to change them for awhile.

 

[DrCavin]

Sell the house before anymore go out

 

[KimR]

We have someone come out and clean it and change the lightbulbs - usually the guy who does our windows takes care of the light fixture at the same time.

 

[rcraw45425]

I'll tell you what's worse, or as bad. Our whole foyer/stairwell is 2 story (or more, lol). I am depserate to find a way to fet the cobwebs down! Nothing works at all, short of borrowing a jet pack from the military