Candle Covers

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In our chandelier world (which is such a pretty place) a candle cover is the piece that slides over the socket. Sometimes it is wax, glass or cardboard, but usually it is plastic.

Candle covers don’t last forever. Here are some common complaints:

Burnt Edges – Frequently on a candle cover, the edges closest to the bulb will darken due to heat from your light bulbs. To prevent this from happening, make sure that the cardboard insulator on a socket rises above the candle cover by about 1/8″ inch. Now, new covers are not that expensive, but if you don’t want to purchase new, simply unscrew the bulb, remove the cover and turn it upside down, and place it back on the socket. Easy peasy… but it only works once if your covers continue to burn.

Discoloration – Like many plastics and cardboards, the material used in candle covers may discolor in the sun or simply change color over time.

Deterioration – Heat and time will also lead to the breakdown of these covers. You may see the covers shrink to the point that they are extremely tight on the socket. Or, they crumble at the slightest touch, particularly around the edge closest to the bulb.

To replace these covers, simply unscrew your bulb and lift up. If yours are very old, they may be very tight on the socket.

Determining the size you need for replacements…

Measure the diameter. Odds are you have either a candelabra socket or an Edison base socket. Covers that fit a candelabra base socket are usually listed at 13/16th of an inch for inside dimension. Covers that fit an Edison (same as Medium) base are usually listed as 1 3/16th of an inch for inside dimension.
Measure the length. This will vary more greatly. Covers are most frequently available in 3″, 3.5″, 4″, 4.5″ and 6″. If you are lucky, you may find a vendor that will cut them to length if yours are unusual. (We do!).

We are fans of thick walled, plain white plastic covers, but there are many other styles available: cardboard, beeswax, poly wax, plastic that looks like wax, black, ivory, velvet. Keep in mind that many materials do have a wattage limit.

If you need help with your covers, send us an email. Some of our more common sizes are listed on the site: Our Candle Covers.

-Nancy