Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will my shade arrive?
We know you don't like waiting, and we assume that you want to know EXACTLY when your lamp shades will arrive, especially if you're dealing with clients of your own. You've found the right place, because nowhere else but fenchelshades.com can you get the exact style of shade you wanted at a price that puts a smile on your face. Use these charts to determine when your shades will arrive based on your choice of standard or priority service handling.

Standard : Really Fast!

If you order on: Your shades will arrive on or before:
Sunday
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
in 10 days
Monday
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
in 10 days
Tuesday
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
in 10 days
Wednesday
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
in 12 days
Thursday
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
in 11 days
Friday
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
in 11 days
Saturday
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
in 10 days

 


Fast-Pass: Really, Really Fast! (Click here for more details)

If you order on: Your shades will arrive on or before:
Sunday
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
in 5 days
Monday
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
in 7 days
Tuesday
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
in 7 days
Wednesday
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
in 7 days
Thursday
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
in 7 days
Friday
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
in 7 days
Saturday
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
in 6 days

Note:
- A holiday could delay your shipment at least one day, so plan accordingly.
- In some cases, you may need your shades ever faster than is listed here, please call us. We can generally meet your requirements.


How do I determine the correct fitter to use?

Washer Flame Clip Bulb Clip Uno European Slotted Washer Chimney

A Washer fitter (also know as a Spider) is the most common fitter. Most large shades have washer fitters. If your lamp has a harp, then you will need a washer fitter. The harp consists of 2 metal posts (known as a HARP) connected to the base of the light socket. These posts run next to the bulb up through the washer fitter atop the bulb and is fastened by a finial which screws on to the top. Some washers are slotted, which means they have a cut-out slot which slips over the electrical cord of your lamp. This is common for lighting suspended from a ceiling electrical cable.  The inner-dimension of a washer fitter measures 1/2".

Another variation on the Washer fitter is the Reflector Bend fitter.  If your lamp shade rests upon a glass bowl with an 8" diameter, then you most likely require a Washer Fitter with a Reflector Bend.  A Reflector Bend is nothing more than spoke wires with a small teepee bend on each spoke.  This will prevent your shade from slipping off the glass bowl.  If you requrie the reflector bend, please be sure to note that information in the comments section when placing your order.  Your shade may not arrive with this option if it is not requested.  Also, if your glass bowl does not measure 8" in diameter, please contact us, as our standard reflector bend may not work correctly with your bowl.

A Flame Clip fitter is most commonly used on standard flame-style bulbs found on chandelier fixtures. The shade clips directly on to the bulb. "Standard" drop for a Flame Clip fitter is ½".  For custom shades with a 3" top, we will use a Flame Clip rather than a Bulb Clip unless you specify otherwise.

A Bulb Clip fitter clips directly on a standard light bulb. This is common for desktop lamps and smaller-sized shades. If the shade is large or heavy, consider a different fitter, because the bulb must carry the entire weight of a bulb clip shade. "Standard" drop for a Bulb Clip fitter is ½".  For top rings measuring 4" or more, we will use a Bulb Clip rather than a Flame Clip unless you specify otherwise.

An Uno fitter sits atop the light socket, and then the bulb is screwed into the socket, holding the shade in place. This is a typical fitter on some desk lamps and floor lamps. Some floor lamps require "THREADED" uno fitters.  If your shade requires an uno fitter which screws on to the base of your floor lamp socket, make sure to specify that you need a THREADED uno.  The inner dimension of an uno fitter is 1 1/4"

A EUROPEAN fitter is similar to an Uno fitter, except the inner dimension of the ring measures 1 5/8".  The European fitter generally resembles a large, flat washer, with the thickness of a penny.  The European fitter slips on to the socket, and then a plastic or metal cap gets screwed on to hold the fitter in place.  The European-style fitting is becoming more and more popular.  Imported lamps, and lamps purchased from IKEA or Pottery Barn almost always require European fitters.  Sometimes, this fitting is also known as an E26, E27 or Nord fitting.  Check the inner diameter.  If it's 1 5/8", order this fitter.  Our EUROPEAN fittings are generally painted WHITE.

A Slotted Washer fitter is similar to a regular washer, except they have a cut-out slot which slips over the electrical cord of your lamp. This is common for pendant lighting suspended from a ceiling electrical cable.  The inner-dimension of a slotted washer fitter measures 1/2".

A Chimney fitter, also referred to as a hurricane fitter is not very common anymore, but is necessary if you have a lamp requiring a chimney. Generally, antique lamps--especially oil lamps (hurricane lamps) require the chimney fitter. The chimney fits directly over the glass opening at the top of these kinds of lamps.  The inner diameter of a standard chimney fitter is 2 3/8".


What is a bottom diffuser?
On some lamp shades--generally on pendant lamp shades--our customers request a bottom diffuser.  The purpose of the bottom diffuser is to "hide" the socket and light bulb of the fixture when viewed from below.  A bottom diffuser is often the same or slightly smaller in size than the bottom dimension of your lamp shade.  Also, unless specified otherwise, the diffuser will be made of white styrene.  If you request a blue lamp shade with a diffuser, the diffuser will be white.  It is possible to order a blue lamp shade with a different color diffuser by specifying the color of the diffuser in the comments section during the checkout process.

What is whipstitch?
Whipstitch is nothing more than a dark brown, real-leather lace that usually applied to skin-colored shades to give them a rustic, lodge decor look.  Lamp shades were originally made by stretching real animal hide over round rings, and were then bound with leather lace.  Generally, if you ask for a shade to have the whipstitch option, we will not apply fabric trim to the top or bottom of the shade.  Also, if you have special requirements on whipstitch, such as, "Only apply whipstitch to the bottom of the shade" please make a note in the comments section when placing your order.


Wrapping shades in protective wrap
Many of our retail customers and lamp re-sellers request that shades be wrapped in protective film to keep them clean and protect them from scuffs and scratches.  For each shade, you may specify whether you want the shade wrapped in a protective wrap.  If you do not choose this option, your shades will not be wrapped.


How can I become a Wholesaler or Resellers for FenchelShades.com?
We work directly with many Interior Decorators, Retail Stores, Lamp Manufacturers, Hotel Chains and Procurement Companies.  If you think you qualify, you may apply to become a reseller of our products.  Please fill out our Reseller Application to get started.

Custom Covering (COM)
What if you don't have the fabric or covering I am looking for?

We will cover any of our shades in just about any material you choose. We call this Custom Coverings by Fenchel. Some of our clients call this COM material shades (Customer's Own Material).  All you need to do is send us your covering material and desired trim. Your shades will be covered by one of our own experienced lampshade specialists. You'll get professional results at a price that keeps you smiling. These shades can be ordered in our Custom Lamp Shades.  When asked which Material Style you want on your shades, choose option COM : Customer-provided fabric and trim

To determine how much fabric we need from you, follow these guidelines:
Round shades: Multiply the bottom diameter (in inches) by 4.  That is the minimum length of fabric (in inches) needed.  If the bottom diameter of your shade is 10 inches, we need at least 40 linear inches of fabric.  There are 36 inches in a yard, so that would be about 1 1/4 yards of fabric.
Square or Rectangle shades: Add all the 4 lengths of each side on the bottom dimension and add an extra 6 inches.  If the bottom measurement of your shade is a rectangle measuring 8" x 14", we will require (8 + 14 + 8 + 14) = 44 inches + an extra 6 inches = 50 linear inches of fabric.

To determine how much trim we need from you, follow these guidelines:
Round shades: Please specify in the order comments whether you want trim at the top of your shade, bottom of your shade, or both the top and bottom of the shade.  Multiply the top diameter by 4 to determine how much trim we need for the top.  Do the same for the bottom.
Square or Rectangle shades: Add all the 4 lengths of each side together and add an extra 6 inches.  Do this for both the top and bottom of the shade if you want your trim applied to both top and bottom.

Alternatively, you may have heard of the Hollywood Lights brand of self-adhesive products. We own the brand and the patent. These products are especially popular in the interior decorating industry. The shades are coated with an adhesive, so that you can cover them with the fabric of your choice. You can cover the shades with the same fabric as your drapes or table runners to achieve a perfectly coordinated interior.

To get your shade in self-adhesive format, simply select the fabric/covering Self-Adhesive : Hollywood Lights option.