Ceiling lampholders porcelain vs plastic

TimR · 2021-12-28T14:22:06+00:00

The rec room in our basement has those simple ceiling lampholders with a pull chain, just screw in a bulb. You can get the bigger decorative bulbs or just go with normal light bulbs. I needed to replace a couple this week. The big box store had plastic for a bit over $1 and porcelain for almost $6. I went with the porcelain to match what had already been there. But the Leviton I bought at the big box place really looks flimsy inside, not near as well made as the originals. And obviously they are fragile, as one of the boxes had the fixture cracked in pieces when I opened it. I had thought i was getting better quality, but now I'm not so sure, the plastic might be as good or better. Is there a source for better? I'm not sure it matters much on something like this, but if I can pay a little more and do the job once that's the way to go. The old ones had removable sockets and if I could have found one to match (Eagle brand) I would have kept the old base and just changed out the internals.

Dec 28, 2021 Last reply: 4 years ago 20 Replies

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Thankfully around here a lot of the suppliers know me because my Dad was one of their good customers. Others will deal with me on the strength of my business registration. I deal "cash only" - no account

- sometimes with my credit card. I don't get the BEST price but I do get a reasonable discount from list from most of them. The invoice will often say "cash contractor" or "wholesale desk" - accaisionally cash and the name of someone I know.

A/C and Natural Gas stuff is a bit harder because I don't have a refrigerant handling number or a gas-fitter's licence - but I can have my Hvac buddy call in the order for me if I'm stuck, or just call in a favor from a nephew etc.