Regardless of the type of housing you buy, the IC rating is the most important safety consideration when it comes to buying recessed lights. Short for “Insulation Contact,” the IC rating indicates how far the housing needs to be from the insulation within the ceiling.
How do I measure for replacement recessed lighting?
Recessed Lighting Sizes
To determine the size, measure the diameter of the cut-out opening in inches, not including the trim. Choose one that will accommodate the height of your ceiling or the size of your wall. 4-inch and 5-inch fixtures are great in kitchens for providing overhead countertop lighting.
Are all recessed lights the same size?
Recessed lights are typically available in sizes ranging from 3 to 6 inches in diameter. The size you need depends on how you plan to use the light and where the fixture will be located. Small recessed lights fit well with modern décor styles. They’re good for accenting areas and can be used for task lighting.
Can you replace recessed light fixture?
In those cases, you can use the existing wiring to replace recessed lighting with a pendant or chandelier fixture using a recessed light conversion kit or change the entire setup of the light and use a standard fixture.
What is the most common size for recessed lighting?
6-Inch Recessed Lights
The most common size recessed light is 6-inch. The standard ceiling cut-out size for 6-inch housings is 6-3/8 inches, and the inside diameter of the housing (trim removed) measures approximately 6-inches.
How far apart should 6 recessed lights be placed?
Generally speaking, recessed lights that are four inches in size should be placed four feet apart. Six-inch lights should be placed six feet apart. In other words, the diameter of the lights equals the space between them.
How much does it cost to install recessed lighting?
Labor. The cost for an electrician to install recessed can or canless LED lights will generally be between $200 and $250 per fixture. Professionals charge at a rate of $85 to $105 per hour and each installation takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
Are LED recessed lights worth it?
LEDs have several key benefits that make them an ideal light source, especially in recessed lights. Energy efficient – Most LEDs are even more efficient than CFLs, often using 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
Are recessed lights out of style?
Recessed lighting will never go out of style. However, the finishes and sizes will vary and change as time goes by.
What is the best spacing for recessed lighting?
4 feet
A good general rule for placement is to divide the height of the ceiling by two. The result is the amount of space to leave between each light. For example, recessed lighting spacing for an 8-foot-high ceiling would be 4 feet between each light. This will provide good spacing for general room lighting.
What size recessed light for 8ft ceiling?
4″
In an 8′ ceiling, a 4″ fixture can work well to provide kitchen countertop lighting. A 6″ downlight at that height will illuminate your breakfast table nicely. In a 10′ ceiling, you might want 4″ fixtures for area lighting, since the light will spread out more. A 7″ fixture makes a nice wall washer in an 8′ ceiling.
Should you stagger recessed lights?
The typical rule is to place the lights the same number of feet apart as the bulb’s diameter in inches. So a bulb with a 4-inch diameter should be 4 feet away from the next light.
How far should recessed lights be from upper cabinets?
Place your recessed downlights 12″ apart from each other and 12″ to 18″ away from any cabinets to illuminate counter areas. Please note that these are basic kitchen lighting ideas; the exact placement of lights will depend on your unique room space.
Can recessed lights be too close?
Where to Place Recessed Lighting Fixtures. Follow these tips for the best use and spacing of your fixtures: Avoid recessed lighting fixtures placed too close together or in rows down the center of the room. This type of installation can have the look of an airport runway.
How far away from the wall should recessed lighting be in kitchen?
between 1.5 feet and 3 feet
If you plan to illuminate an entire wall or accent particular architectural features or pieces of art, the rule of thumb is to place your recessed light fixtures between 1.5 feet and 3 feet from the wall. If your fixtures are fixed, they should be placed a bit closer to the wall.
