General Lighting | Recessed Lighting
Choosing the appropriate recessed light fixture can be challenging and if your shopping for recessed lighting online, it could be quite confusing if you can’t find what you are looking for! Here in our Recessed Lighting Guide section, we have recessed lighting tips, recessed lighting design guides, and helpful information to help you purchase the appropriate recessed light fixture for your lighting needs. Its always best to have a game plan before you install recessed lighting. And doing a little bit of research will help make sure the recessed light you are choosing for your home is appropriate. This will definitely save you a lot of time, money and help prevent the headache of returning product that doesn’t work for your application.
- creates a light source that illuminates at least 90% downward
- can be used as general and task lighting techniques for the kitchen, bathroom, foyer, hallways and closets/storage
- The higher the fixture is installed, the more efficient the light beam source.
Are you installing recessed lighting in a remodel home or in a new home?
If your project involves installing lights to an exposed ceiling with no installation, then make sure to look for recessed housings that are rated for New Construction. Recessed housings rated for Remodel are used for replacement of old fixtures in an existing ceiling. Recessed housings are constructed for particular use so please make note that the job/project you are working on matches the type of housing that is appropiate for your application needs.
Time to Select Your Housing Application
Recessed housings are designed for specific use as well as performance outputs. In addition to options such as incandescent or energy-efficient, recessed housing are categorized throughout the industry as Non-IC, IC and AirTight.
What is your Lighting Design?
What will be the type of light needed in the room? Are you looking for a spot of light to highlight an object or are you looking to increase overall light levels? Select the light source that provides the light you desire. If the fixture will be on for long periods of time and used for general lighting, you may want to consider the benefits of energy-saving fluorescent lamps.
In the recessed lighting arena, there are 4 main attributes that can be VERY IMPORTANT to you when selecting a recessed housing unit.
New Construction
- Recessed housing new construction is a fixture that is installed to an exposed ceiling construction.
- An exposed ceiling will have no insulation and no dry wall, the ceiling is completely bare other than the wood, metal construction of beams.
- Either side of the unit will have 12-13 inch bar hangers/arms/supports that will be nailed to rafters/beams/a support.
- The unit will also contain a protective thermal housing over the light. This protective housing will prevent heat from dissipating out and will protect the light from wetness or dampness.
Remodel
- The recessed housing unit slips into an existing hole in the ceiling and contains clips around the housing. These clips will hold the fixture in place into your existing ceiling.
- A remodel - recessed housing unit will only contain the light, its wires and junction box. There will be clips on either side of the housing unit versus bar hangers.
IC Rated = Use for Insulated Ceiling
Unit contains a protective thermal shield so the recessed can will not heat up your insulation if it's directly touching the housing.
Non IC Rated = Not Used for Insulated Ceilings
Utilized where insulation is a minimum of 3 inches away from the housing unit.
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The diameter of a recessed trim is the measurement taken from the trim’s opening. There are four popular sizes that get used the most in home applications.
Typical diameters of recessed trims are:
- 4 inch
- 5 inch
- 6 inch
- 8 inch
Recessed lighting trims that are smaller than 4 inches are used for specialty lighting needs, such as show casing objects on shelves, in glass cabinets and small niches. Recessed lighting trims that are wider than 8 inches are not typical diameter sizes and are usually used for commercial applications or large spaces with high ceilings.
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Ceilings 8-10 Feet
Recessed lighting with reflector lamps, baffle or cone trims; make sure to space out approximately the same distance on center as the ceiling height. Alternate recessed fixtures with incandescent/fluorescent mulitpliers will provide somewhat more diffused/uniform illumination.
Ceilings 10 Feet & Higher
With ceiling heights of 10’ or higher, the use of reflector lamp baffles or cone trims will provide more concentrated light beams and are effective for uniform illumination from higher ceilings. For higher ceilings, narrower beam spreads are suggested.
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