# Where to find older style fixtures and other homebuilding stuff? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 27, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-older-style-fixtures-and-other-homebuilding-stuff/583433 "2011-05-27T15:24:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-older-style-fixtures-and-other-homebuilding-stuff/583433/1 "2011-05-27T15:24:30Z")
I am at the end of my rope. We are renovating our bathroom, and the switch for the light/fan/heater has been particulary annoying. It is 3 switches, all in one fixture. When we were redoing the walls, we broke (by accident) the switch plate. Lowes, Ace, and both of the local hardware stores do not have a switch plate that will work with this dang thing. My other option is to rewire for 3 seperate switches in a more modern switchplate. Which I will do, but I’d rather not if I don’t have to. So far, my attempts to google haven’t had any luck. I’ll try to post a picture later, if needed. Help, oh teeming millions! ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-older-style-fixtures-and-other-homebuilding-stuff/583433/2 "2011-05-27T15:36:01Z")
there are places that sell old fixtures and materials removed from buildings. a blank faceplate can be cut out to accommodate unusual openings. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-older-style-fixtures-and-other-homebuilding-stuff/583433/3 "2011-05-27T15:46:42Z")
Like [this](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=three+switch+faceplate&hl=en&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS372&prmd=ivns&biw=1659&bih=861&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=3000355057983904744&sa=X&ei=Q8ffTeD_D4TSsAOSupi5Bw&ved=0CG0Q8wIwBQ#)? ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-older-style-fixtures-and-other-homebuilding-stuff/583433/4 "2011-05-27T16:45:47Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > Like [this](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=three+switch+faceplate&hl=en&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS372&prmd=ivns&biw=1659&bih=861&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=3000355057983904744&sa=X&ei=Q8ffTeD_D4TSsAOSupi5Bw&ved=0CG0Q8wIwBQ#)? Nope. It’s like 3 switches, all close together arranged vertically. I’ll be replacing it when one like you have here, if I can’t find a cover. It’s all one piece too, not 3 seperate switches. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-older-style-fixtures-and-other-homebuilding-stuff/583433/5 "2011-05-27T16:48:59Z")
[Van Dyke’s Restorers](http://www.vandykes.com/) or [House of Antique Hardware](http://houseofantiquehardware.com/)are good. I’m seeing only two vertical switches there, though. ---
**Author:** ![peri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/67e7ee/32.png) [@peri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peri)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-older-style-fixtures-and-other-homebuilding-stuff/583433/6 "2011-05-28T21:20:49Z")
Is [this](http://www.kyledesigns.com/product/SPC_THREE_DESPARD/Three-Hole-Despard-Switch-Plate-Covers.html) what you’re looking for? If not you’ll probably find something that works on the site. Or you could put in a new switch assembly that will fit the [existing box](http://www.elliottelectric.com/Products/Detail.aspx?v=BRO&c=66W). Most of the major fan manufacturers seem to have these. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-find-older-style-fixtures-and-other-homebuilding-stuff/583433/7 "2011-05-29T23:06:11Z")
If you strike out with finding a Despard plate, Leviton makes a triple switch in a single-gang Decora device.