The Only Way To Refit Rawhide Lamp Shades Properly

Are we communicating? That might be the question that comes to mind when ordering western rawhide lamp shades or replacement lamp shades. It can be totally exasperating because various people size lampshades quite differently.

The whole matter is complicated by telephone conversations and world wide web ordering. If you understand how you can best measure a shade to get the proper fit and also communicate the correct size, you're going to prevent problems and receive the lamp shade you are expecting.

It doesn't matter if the shade is made of rawhide or not, there are different tips you should know about to correctly measure and order a shade and also the proper description that will help you insure that the person receiving your order is understanding you. We understand custom rawhide lamp shades for rustic western lamps and southwest home accessories. Because we deal with this this situation quite often we have some tips that anyone can use to insure the correct look for a lamp, even without seeing the lamp and shade and lamp together.

The proper way to measure:
1. You will need to have three key measurements, the bottom diameter, top diameter and height. The bottom diameter is the measurement across the bottom of the lamp shade. The top diameter is always measured across the top of the lamp shade. The height of a lamp shade must be measured straight up and down vertically, never up the slant.

This is where the problem usually starts. When relaying the measurements various individuals and companies will place the three dimensions in various order, it's not standard, so be careful that you are not mixing up the bottom and height measurements for example.

2. The height always has to be measured straight up and down, but some stores will measure along the slant. These two measurements can vary or be quite different and cause the finished shade to be incorrect if confused. Be sure to clarify how the height is measured. It's worth noting that most people who measure the slant rather than the shade height refer to it as the shade's length rather than height.

An important Measuring Height Tip:
The reason you must measure height up and down, vertically, is that the height measurement of your lamp from bulb socket base to top of harp is probably the minimum vertical height you will want to cover the electrical parts with the shade.

An important Tip On Height Adjustment:
One good thing about using a stock replacement shade, your lamp's finished height and look can easily adjusted. The wire harp that holds the shade over the bulb is interchangeable. That will be great news if a standard shade is say an inch to short. In stead of having to order a custom shade you are able to change the harp causing the shade to sit lower on the lamp to give you the proper look.

Shade Mounting Type:
The standard shade mount has a center bar across the top with a hole for the harp mount or a washer held in place by three supports that attach to the top rim of the shade. Both types allow the shade to be secured to the harp. Some small lamps and chandeliers don't use a harp but instead use a bulb clip to attach directly to the bulb. A bulb clip is simply two wire loops that are attached to the shade's center bar and grip the bulb.

A bulb clip adapter can be added to any regular shade to allow it to be placed over the bulb. Chandelier lamp shades usually have built-in bulb clips made for the small flame or candelabra style bulbs. Lamp shades used as hanging lamps can use an uno mount which has a center ring large enough for the bulb socket to pass through. These also are used on some table lamps. You can use a bulb clip on a replacement shade instead of an uno mount.

You find these tips useful on your next rawhide lamp shade or replacement lampshade project and you will be guaranteed to measure, order and receive the right size lamp shade the first time around for fabric or rawhide lamp shades.