If you’re looking for a way to update the lighting in your home or office, installing recessed lighting may be just the solution you need.
What is Recessed Lighting?
Recessed lighting, also known as can lighting or pot lighting, refers to light fixtures that are installed into a hollow opening in a ceiling so that the fixture is flush with the surface of the ceiling. These fixtures typically consist of a housing that is hidden within the ceiling and a trim piece that covers the opening and provides a finished look.
Why Install Recessed Lighting?
Recessed lighting offers a clean, streamlined look. It can increase the amount of light in a room, highlight artwork or other special features, and open up spaces so they look and feel bigger. Recessed lighting, if done correctly, will increase the livability and value of your home or office.
When to Use Recessed Lighting
Though recessed fixtures are most easily installed between ceiling joists of new buildings or major renovation projects, there are recessed fixtures are designed specifically for retrofit applications, we use a template to cut a hole in the ceiling or cabinet, new wiring is installed, the recessed light clamps onto the ceiling or cabinet material. The fixtures you choose must be rated for use near insulation (IC rated) if they’re being installed in an insulated ceiling.
Installing Recessed Lighting: Where to Place it?
When installing recessed lighting, the common rule is that 4-inch fixtures should generally be placed at least 4 feet apart 5-inch fixtures about 5 feet apart, and 6-inch fixtures about 6 feet apart. Kitchens and bathrooms will need more fixtures. You want to make sure that you have an adequate amount of light. Dimmers are a great idea to control the light level and mood in a room.
Center recessed lighting fixtures in front of the objects you wish to light – a painting, bookshelf, or drapery panels, for example – and about 12 to 18 inches in front of that object. The light should generally highlight the object at about 30 deg.
Recessed lights used for reading or task lighting should be carefully placed overhead to reduce shadows.
When lighting a three-dimensional object such as a fireplace, sculpture, or flower arrangement with recessed lighting, it is more effective to light it from two or three different angles.
Use wall-wash or directional recessed lighting fixtures around the perimeter of a small room to help “push” the walls out and make the space feel larger, or aim them at a collection of artwork or photographs to call attention to the display.
Install recessed lighting fixtures (puck light, using your imagination it looks kind of like a hockey puck) in the bottom of your kitchen cabinets. The light will wash your countertop with focused or diffused light depending on the style chosen light.
Here are some places in your house where you can install recessed lighting:
1. Outdoor Recessed Lighting
2. Kitchen Recessed Lighting
3. Living room Recessed Lighting
4. Bathroom & Shower Recessed Lighting
5. Bedroom Recessed Lighting
Parts of Recessed Lighting
Recessed lights have 2 parts. The housing and the trim. The housing is the part that you never see, it is recessed into the ceiling. The trim is the piece that is installed into the housing and fits flush with the ceiling.
Many different trims are available: all white, white with black baffle, chrome, brushed nickel, adjustable, etc. Make sure you have an idea what type of trims you would like before installing the housings as each housing has only certain types of trims that are compatible.
If you would like any more information or would like to schedule a free estimate to look at installing recessed lighting contact us today for a free quote.
