I recently tackled installing a ceiling fan in one of my rental properties here in Houston, and that’s when I discovered the RACO RETRO-BRACE 936 1.5-in. Deep Ceiling Fan Box for Old Work 2.5-in. Knockouts, Old Work Electrical Box, Adjustable Brace, and Mounting Bracket for Ceiling Light Fixtures & Chandelier Fans. This electrical box from RACO solved a problem I didn’t expect to encounter, and at $20.75, it turned out to be one of the better investments I’ve made for home improvement projects.
The house I was working on was built in the 1970s, which meant old work conditions and outdated electrical infrastructure. The existing ceiling didn’t have a proper box for mounting a new fan, and I wasn’t about to cut into drywall and start major renovations. That’s where the RACO RETRO-BRACE 936 1.5-in. Deep Ceiling Fan Box for Old Work 2.5-in. Knockouts, Old Work Electrical Box, Adjustable Brace, and Mounting Bracket for Ceiling Light Fixtures & Chandelier Fans came into play. This box is specifically designed for retrofit situations where you’re working with existing drywall and can’t access the framing from above.
Why the RACO RETRO-BRACE 936 1.5-in. Deep Ceiling Fan Box for Old Work 2.5-in. Knockouts, Old Work Electrical Box, Adjustable Brace, and Mounting Bracket for Ceiling Light Fixtures & Chandelier Fans Stands Out
After using this product, I can tell you that RACO knew what they were doing when they engineered it. The adjustable brace extends from the box and grips the drywall from above, creating a solid mount without requiring access to the joist or structural framing. The 1.5-inch depth works perfectly for shallow ceiling cavities, and the 2.5-inch knockouts gave me flexibility with my wiring setup. Installation was straightforward once I understood the mechanism, and the mounting bracket held the fan securely without any wobbling or movement. The quality of the materials felt professional grade, not like some cheap contractor-grade box I’ve seen at other retailers. I’ve included this among my recommended products for anyone dealing with retrofit installations or older homes.
The RACO RETRO-BRACE 936 1.5-in. Deep Ceiling Fan Box for Old Work 2.5-in. Knockouts, Old Work Electrical Box, Adjustable Brace, and Mounting Bracket for Ceiling Light Fixtures & Chandelier Fans performed flawlessly during installation and has held up during months of fan operation. There’s no flex in the box, and the electrical connections remain secure. I’ve installed three ceiling fans using different methods over the years, and this RACO box is by far the cleanest solution for situations where you can’t modify the ceiling structure. The instructions could have been clearer, but once you understand how the brace mechanism works, everything clicks into place.
Would I Buy the RACO RETRO-BRACE 936 1.5-in. Deep Ceiling Fan Box for Old Work 2.5-in. Knockouts, Old Work Electrical Box, Adjustable Brace, and Mounting Bracket for Ceiling Light Fixtures & Chandelier Fans Again
Absolutely, I would buy this product again without hesitation. As someone who manages multiple properties and handles my own repairs, I appreciate tools and materials that work as intended without headaches or compromises. The RACO RETRO-BRACE 936 1.5-in. Deep Ceiling Fan Box for Old Work 2.5-in. Knockouts, Old Work Electrical Box, Adjustable Brace, and Mounting Bracket for Ceiling Light Fixtures & Chandelier Fans delivers on its promise and does the job right the first time. I have two more properties with older construction, and I’m planning to use this same product for those installations. It’s reliable, durable, and worth the investment for anyone dealing with retrofit electrical work.
If you’re facing the challenge of installing a ceiling fan or light fixture in an older home or building with existing drywall and no accessible framing, get the RACO RETRO-BRACE 936 1.5-in. Deep Ceiling Fan Box for Old Work 2.5-in. Knockouts, Old Work Electrical Box, Adjustable Brace, and Mounting Bracket for Ceiling Light Fixtures & Chandelier Fans and save yourself the frustration of trying to make other solutions work.