If this is your first time searching for a candle cover things can get a little confusing. If at any time in this process you are totally confused please contact us for help! If you are unfamiliar with trade terms you may never have heard of candle covers or candle sleeves! These terms are used in the lighting industry to describe the decorative cover or sleeve that slides over and hides the socket on a chandelier or sconce. This cover mimics the look of a candle and from that comes the name 'candle cover' or 'candle sleeve'. In the U.K. these are known as 'candle tubes'.
First let's address the socket size found on your lighting fixture. 'Candelabra' and 'medium base' are the common socket sizes that are found on most lighting fixtures designed for the U.S. market. In some rare cases we find a European size socket. Some of our products are designed to fit specifically over these sockets so it is important to choose the correct size. Unless you are using a very large candle (for example 3" or 4" diameter) you will be choosing one of the above sizes. Here is how to decide:
The smaller size candelabra have a socket size of 3/4". This is the most commonly used socket on chandeliers and sconces in the U.S. To fit this socket our candle cover will have an interior of 13/16".
The larger size Medium Base or Edison has a socket size of approximately 1-1/8". The candle cover designed to fit this socket has an interior of 1-3/16".
In rare situations you may have a socket that measures just under 1" or approximately 15/16". The candle cover designed to fit this socket has an interior of exactly 1". Please note that this size is available only in real beeswax.
If you need help determining the correct size or height please visit our Measurement & Installation page for detailed directions. Please feel free to contact us at any time for help.
The next question to consider is if you prefer to use real beeswax, synthetic resin, or simple cardboard for your project. How do you choose? In some cases the application will determine the best choice. For example, resin is very durable and washable. If purchasing for an outdoor fixture this would be the only choice since both cardboard or beeswax would deteriorate in an outdoor environment. Since beeswax are hand made to order they are our personal favorite. Our rule of thumb when making this decision is "beeswax wherever possible but resin or cardboard if necessary". Here is an overview of each type to help with the decision process.
All of our beeswax candle covers are hand dipped on location in the U.S.and drips are then added by hand. None of our finished beeswax candles are the product of a mold so no two will look exactly alike. These are truly one of a kind. This is a 100% hand-made product. We also offer our beeswax candles with no drips for those who want a clean, contemporary look. The smaller candelabra and medium base are the most common sizes. However, you may decide that you would prefer a larger size to provide a more substantial look. For this reason we offer beeswax candles up to 4" diameter and up to 10" tall.
Please note that our beeswax candle covers are limited to incandescent bulbs (the old fashioned bulb that we grew up with!) of 25 watt maximum unless otherwise noted. We do not recommend the use of beeswax covers with shades or in an enclosed fixture since the heat buildup will increase the risk of melting. If you need to use a higher wattage bulb, are using shades, or are purchasing for an enclosed fixture, we recommend that you select a candle from our extensive resin collection. You may safely use LED bulbs of any wattage with our beeswax covers.
For our customers who need to use higher wattage bulbs we carry a durable yet extremely realistic line of resin candle sleeves. These durable socket covers for chandeliers and sconces are washable and heat resistant. Depending on the application many of these candles can safely withstand up to 60 watts. For outdoor use we recommend choosing a product from our resin line. Our resin candles are available in a large variety of sizes and styles.
In our business we have noticed that most resin candle covers have a shiny plastic appearance that does not adequately replicate a real candle. As a result we spend time searching the market for the most realistic looking products and we believe we have found them! We think you will agree that these candles have the most authentic simulated wax look that you can find.
We hope that this overview has helped answer some of your questions. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or need advice. We will be happy to consult and spend as much time as you need.