Recessed Down Lights
Recessed Down Lights
Recessed down lights, also known as can lights, provide a stylish lighting solution for any space. They are great for general illumination or used in creative ways like wall washing and artwork accent lighting.
The size of your room, ceiling height and light use will influence what kind of recessed downlights you need. There are many types of trim, housing and bulbs to choose from.
Choosing the Right Lights
In our desire to light up everything and make it glow, we often overlook the beauty of shadows and depth. We’ve all been to a friend’s house that is so bright, you can’t even see the furniture she agonized over picking or the sparkle of her countertops. It’s because the lighting design plan or the fixtures they choose weren’t right for the space.
When choosing recessed lights, the most important element to consider is how they will be used. They can be used for ambient lighting on ceilings and walls or for task and accent lighting. It’s important to understand the different types of light bulbs available, and how they will be manipulated by the trim that is chosen for the fixture.
The trim is the finished portion of LED Track Light the recessed light that is visible from underneath the ceiling. The trim comes in a wide variety of styles that can manipulate the light and provide different desirable aesthetics. Reflector (also called multiplier) trims reflect the light up to increase its brightness, while baffle trim has large grooves that reduce glare and create a softer light output.
Another factor to consider is the beam angle of the recessed light, which determines how far the light will reach. Lights with a wider beam angle are generally referred to as flood type and can be used for general lighting in larger rooms. A narrower beam, on the other hand, is more focused and can be used for task lighting in smaller spaces.
Installation
If you have electrical wiring or construction experience, installing recessed lights is a relatively easy home improvement project. It’s a good idea to turn off the power to the room before you begin, and you should wear safety glasses and a dust mask to protect yourself from drywall debris and insulation.
Determine where you want the recessed down lights to go in the ceiling by finding the joists with a stud finder and then marking the location with pencil. Use a wire or coat hanger to poke through the mark and look into your attic to make sure there aren’t pipes, HVAC ducts or other obstructions in that location before drilling the hole. It’s also a good idea to check that your current lighting circuit can handle the additional load of your new lights and install a dedicated circuit if necessary.
Once the holes are cut, insert the light housing and trim pieces according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then screw in the light bulb, which will likely have a built-in reflector that helps diffuse the output and reduce discomfort glare. Choose a brighter bulb if you need recessed adjustable downlight more light for task areas, or select a lower-wattage halogen or LED bulb for ambient lighting that adds visual interest without making the room too bright.
Maintenance
If you have recessed lights, it’s important to regularly clean them. This will help ensure that they continue to work as well as possible. It’s also a good idea to replace the light bulbs on occasion. This will give you brighter, more energy-efficient lighting.
Most recessed down lights are wired in a similar way as standard ceiling light fixtures. There is a junction box that they connect to, either built into the fixture or separate from it. This metal box is attached to a framing member in the ceiling and protects the circuit wires that run to the fixture. There are also two wire leads that attach to the fixture: a black lead that connects to a black (hot) circuit wire and a white lead that connects to a white (neutral) circuit wire. There is also a bare copper grounding wire that connects to the junction box.
Whether you have one or many recessed lights in your home or business, they can help create a more visually appealing interior design. With the wide array of different sizes and designs available, you’re sure to find the right recessed down lights to fit your needs. With a little care, your recessed lights will provide years of reliable illumination. Contact JellyFish Lighting today for more information on installing recessed down lights in your Phoenix home or business.
Design
The light itself and all electrical wiring are installed up inside the ceiling in a cylindrical cutout that looks like a can (hence “can lights”). A well-designed downlight fixture will look clean on the ceiling, not cast weird shadows or compete with other decorative elements.
Recessed lighting is a great way to provide general lighting for rooms such as bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. It can also be used for accent lighting, highlighting specific artwork or architectural features in a room. They are also popular for wall-washing, a technique that creates a smooth wash of light on a wall with recessed lighting.
When choosing a recessed downlight, keep in mind that the narrower the beam angle, the stronger the spot of light it produces. It is also important to consider the fixture’s regression, which is how far down the fixture recessed into the ceiling. Full regression is best for ambient lighting, as it limits distracting glare that can cause eye strain.
Another consideration is the trim style of a recessed downlight. Sunco offers a range of different styles from classic Retrofit downlights with metal trim to modern LED Disk downlights that feature frosted covers for a clean, minimalist look. All of our recessed downlights are IC rated, which means they can be used in new construction projects or a remodel that includes insulation. They are also fire rated, which helps prevent the spread of a fire from floor to floor.