
What is a lampshade fitter?
A lampshade fitter is the wire portion of the shade that connects it to the body of the lamp. Fitters are not interchangeable, so it’s important that you choose a shade that has the proper fitter for your lamp. The most common types of lamp shade fitters are as follows: UNO fitters are commonly seen on smaller table lamps.
What type of fitter do I need for my lamp shade?
In addition to the size of the shade, you’ll also need to know what type of fitter your lamp uses to attach the shade to the lamp body. There are several types of lamp fitters. You can click on any image below to see a larger version. Spider and Washer with Harp – This is the most common type of fitting for table and floor lamp shades.
What size do fitter shades come in?
1 If the holder measures 2 1/4", you are looking for 2 1/4" FITTER shades. You can also find 2 1/4" fitter shades. 2 If the holder measures 3 1/4" or 4", you will find this size under the CEILING AND DISH GLASS category, as well as under the 3 1/4" or 4" categories. 3 6" and 8" sizes are shown under the CEILING AND DISH GLASS category.
What is the difference between fitter and fitter size?
The fitter is the outer diameter of the lip which is inserted into the fixture's shade holder. This will measure a little less than the fitter size so it can fit into the shade holder of the same measurement. The height of a glass shade is taken from the base of the fitter lip to the bottom of the shade.

What are the 3 types of lampshades?
Once you've picked the appropriate size of your lamp shade, you need to consider how it will attach to the base. The three most common types of lamp shade assemblies are: spider, uno and clip on.
What is washer fitter on a lampshade?
For table lamps, a washer fitter is the most common. It is shaped like a washer and attaches to the lamp harp. A finial is screwed on the harp to hold the shade in place. Other common fitters include UNO fitters for floor lamps and bulb-clip fitters for smaller shade applications. Washer Fitter.
How do you measure fitter for lamp shade?
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What are the two types of lamp shades?
Bell: This elegant skirt-shaped cone has a wide brim at the bottom of its curved sides. This shade is typically used for traditional and classic decor. Drum: A drum shade has a wide cylindrical shape with tall sides and wide rims of equal size, allowing light to flow upward and downward equally.
What are the different type of lampshade fittings?
There are three basic types of lamp shade fittings: spider fittings, uno fittings, and clip-on fittings: Spider Fittings: Spider fittings are the most common type of fitting for table and floor lamps and are used with harps.
Should a lamp shade cover the socket?
Picking a lampshade to go with a table or floor lamp has more to do with personal taste than it does hard fast rules, but there are a few great guidelines that can help make the choosing process easier. 1. A shade should ALWAYS cover the socket and non-decorative hardware.
Do all lampshades fit all lamps?
Fitters are not interchangeable, so be sure to use a shade with the correct fitter for your lamp. There are the three common fitters: Spider, Clip-On, and Uno. The spider lamp shade is the most common type of fitter for table and floor lamp shades.
How do you change a lamp shade fitting?
If the lightbulb is not accessible, follow these steps:Holding the lampshade in place with one hand, loosen the decorative nut with the other.If the nut is stiff or doesn't turn, try using a pair of pliers.Take down the lampshade.Place the new lampshade over the mounting hole.Tighten the decorative nut in place.
What is a neckless fitter?
A Neckless Style Glass Fitter is meant to hang a Glass Ball Shade with No-Neck. The neckless holder has an Inside plate and an Outside cover. The neckless ball shade hangs on the inside plate. A neckless glass ball shade should Only be used in a Vertical Orientation since Gravity is allowing the ball to rest in place.
What does spider mean in a lampshade?
A: spider refers to the cross bar configuration at the top of the shade, which requires a harp fixture rising from the base of the bulb to the top, upon which a screw-on finial holds the whole shade together.
What kind of lampshade gives the most light?
White shades are best at lighting an entire room, while darker ones tend to funnel the light and make a more dramatic statement. When it comes to fabric, follow the generally accepted truths that silk is more formal than linen, textured materials or parchment shades.
What are upside down lamp shades called?
Cylinders can be used one way to fit a table or floor lamp (bulb pointing up) and turned upside down to fit a pendant ceiling light (bulb pointing down).
How do you fit a lampshade to a table lamp?
The width of the lampshade (diameter at the bottom) should be roughly equal to the height of the lamp base. The height of the lampshade should be about two thirds the height of the lamp base. The lampshade should be the wider than the widest part of the lamp base.
What is lip fitter?
The fitter is the outer diameter of the lip which is inserted into the fixture's shade holder. This will measure a little less than the fitter size so it can fit into the shade holder of the same measurement. The height of a glass shade is taken from the base of the fitter lip to the bottom of the shade.
How does a clip on lamp shade work?
As the name suggests, clip-on lamp shades are designed to clip directly onto a standard or flame type light bulb. They consist of a wire assembly secured snugly around the light bulb. Clip-on shades come with an adapter that makes each lamp shade easy to remove. They are the most flexible type of assembly.
How do you measure a lamp harp?
Guidelines for determining size of Harp Lamp Shade neededHeight of Lamp Shade: approximately 2/3 rds height of lamp-base. ( height of lamp base: distance from bottom of lamp base to base of lamp socket)Bottom-diameter of Lamp Shade: approximately 1”-2” less than lamp-base height.
What is the fitter size?
The fitter is the outer diameter of the lip which is inserted into the fixture's shade holder. This will measure a little less than the fitter size so it can fit into the shade holder of the same measurement. The height of a glass shade is taken from the base of the fitter lip to the bottom of the shade. The width is measured across the widest ...
How to measure the height of a glass shade?
The height of a glass shade is taken from the base of the fitter lip to the bottom of the shade. The width is measured across the widest portion of the shade, which may be the top, middle or bottom, depending on the shade type.
How do I determine the correct size glass shade for my light fixture?
To determine the correct size glass shade, simply measure the inner diameter of the shade holder (fitter) on your fixture. Common diameters for shade holders are: 2¼", 3¼", 4", 6", 10" and 12". Select a shade with a corresponding fitter diameter. See the diagram at left.Browse all our glass light shades, or by size:
What is the most common type of fitting for table and floor lamp shades?
There are several types of lamp shade fitters. You can click on any image below to see a larger version. Spider and Washer with Harp – This is the most common type of fitting for table and floor lamp shades. It comes in two varieties.
Do you need a harp for a lamp shade?
No harp is needed as the wire fitting is permanently attached to the shade. The shade attaches directly to the lamp socket below the light bulb. Clip-On – This type comes in two sizes: (1) smaller for candle bulbs found on accent lamps and chandeliers and (2) larger for the standard Edison bulbs.
What is a Lamp Shade Fitter?
The term “fitter” refers to shade’s connection point, which attaches the shade to the lamp. There are three common fitter types: clip-on, spider, and uno.
What is a spider fitter?
Spider fitters are another alternative. These fitters screw onto an upside-down U-shaped piece called the harp. Usually made from metal, harps provide extra support for lamp shades. Harps typically attach below the lamp’s socket and arch over the bulb. The spider fitter then sits atop the harp and is often secured with a nut.
What is an Uno shade?
Uno lamp shades are the second most common style of lamp shades, surpassed in popularity only by those with spider fitters. If you have an old lamp that’s begging for restoration, you can often rely on these styles of fitters when you buy replacement shades. These accessories don’t require a harp for installation, which makes them especially useful on older lights. You can even install them to replace shades on pieces where the harp has gone missing. Uno fitters also simplify bulb replacement. Because these shades install between the bulb and the light socket, you don’t need to remove the shade to replace the bulb.
How do threaded shades work?
One slides in place and uses pressure from the bulb to stay connected. The other uses threads for support. Threaded uno shades screw onto the lamp’s socket, so they remain in place even when you remove the bulb. These threaded shades work especially well for downward-facing sockets.
What is clip on lamp shade?
Clip-on lamp shades use pressure to attach the shade to the lamp. These fitter types consist of two loops of springy metal which simply slide over the top of the bulb. The attachment is unsecured, and the shade can be easily removed (or nudged out of alignment).
Why do lamps need shades?
Lamps need shades to diffuse the light. These decorative lighting accessories contribute to a room’s overall style and eliminate glare. There are several common types of lamp shade fitters, and it’s important to recognize which type your lamp uses before you shop for new shades.
Do you need tools to install a Uno shade?
The installation process doesn’t require any tools at all . Once you unscrew the bulb, you can attach the shade in seconds. Uno fitters are commonly found on small and medium shades, and less frequently on large and over-sized shades. Just look for a socket-sized ring at the center of the shade to recognize unique uno lamp shades.
Spider Lampshade Fitter
Best for: a table or floor lamp with a harp, vintage, and antique lamps
Uno Lampshade Fitter
Unlike a spider fitter that sits on top of a lightbulb, an uno fitter sits underneath it. It is a frequently used lampshade fitter that is placed directly on the socket before a lightbulb is screwed in, so essentially it is the lightbulb that keeps it in place.
Clip-On Lampshade Fitter
A clip-on lampshade has a fitter that does exactly what its name suggests—it clips directly onto the lightbulb. It has teardrop-shaped metal prongs that clasp around the bulb that hold the shade in place.
Euro Fitter
A Euro fitter is perhaps more of a sub-category than its own lampshade fitter category, as it is very similar to an uno fitter. Just like an uno fitter, it is used for table and floor lamps that don't have a harp. The key difference, however, is that it is wider than a classic uno fitter and the ring that makes up its construction is thinner.
Choosing a Lampshade Fitter
Whether you are looking for a new lampshade for a table lamp, a floor lamp, or a wall sconce, finding out the type of fitter you need and getting the correct measurements is essential before making your purchase.
Lampshade Fitter Convertors
A lampshade fitter convertor sometimes referred to as an adapter, is a clever piece of hardware that allows you to use your chosen lampshade even if its fitter doesn't correspond with the hardware on the lamp base. For example, a metal ring adapter can be purchased to convert an uno fitter into a Euro fitter.
What is a spider fitter?
A spider fitter attaches a lampshade to a lamp base.
What is a lamp spider?
A lampshade spider consists of metal arms that attach to the inside top rim of the lampshade and join in the center to a hollow round metal disc that looks like a washer. Spider fittings are also called "washer fittings.".
Do you need a spider fitting for a lamp base?
If your lamp base has a harp and finial attached to it, or a saddle affixed to the socket of the lamp that the harp slides into, you will require a shade with a spider fitting.
What is a fitter?
1. What is a fitter? A fitter is the holder that the glass fits into.
Where is the shade on a torchiere lamp?
The shade is placed on the lamp around the bulb socket, and a ring threads around the socket. Shades on older torchiere lamps have a longish neck that measures 2 3/4" which fits around an oversize Mogul light bulb socket. Look under the TORCHIERES FOR OLDER LAMPS category for this style.
What does neckless fitter size mean?
What does neckless fitter size mean? This is the diameter of the hole measured inside edge to inside edge in the glass where the socket passes through.
What is hurricane glass shade?
Hurricane glass shades are commonly used on chandeliers and wall sconces. Measure the holder or cup will measure inside edge to inside edge. The glass itself is called a 1 5/8" fitter. Look under the 1 5/8" FITTER, CHANDELIER GLASS or HURRICANE categories for this style.
How high should a chimney be above a shade?
Chimney height is a matter of personal taste. If you are using another shade that sits around the chimney, you want the chimney to extend 2″-4″ above the top of the shade. 3.
