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What recessed lighting means?
Recessed lighting is installed directly inside a ceiling, wall, or other surface. Housing is the bulk of the fixture which is hidden within the wall or ceiling and contains the electrical connections of the fixture. Trim is the decorative, visible portion of the fixture and may include baffles, reflectors or shades.
What is the difference between can lights and recessed lights?
Recessed lights, also known as can lights, are described as metal light housings installed in the ceiling for a sleek look that gives you back your ceiling.
What do recessed lights do?
Recessed lights, also known as downlights or can lights, are a type of lighting fixture installed into the ceiling or wall. They are designed to sit flush with the surface for a sleek and polished finish. The housing and electrical wiring components are hidden, and the bulb appears to glow from within the opening.
Why is recessed lighting bad?
Used properly, recessed lights are sleek, unobtrusive fixtures that can be good problem-solvers. Used improperly, they can waste electricity, provide poor lighting and cause your heating and cooling bills to go up. Kitchens are common places where recessed lighting fixtures are used.
Are recessed lights better?
Recessed lights are great options in situations with low ceilings as they do not protrude down from the ceiling. By utilizing low voltage recessed lights that use MR16 bulbs with various beam spreads, the light can be controlled in room much better than with traditional ceiling lights.
When should recessed lighting be used?
Recessed lights have a low profile, making them the ideal choice for low ceilings, such as basements or attics, where a protruding light fixture might be unsuitable low. Recessed lights are also ideal for areas where waterproof fixtures are needed.
Can you put regular light bulbs in can lights?
A recessed fixture with a medium screw base lamp holder can take an incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, or LED light bulb. If you want to be able to dim your recessed lights, or control them with a remote or automated system, choose fixtures you can use incandescent, halogen, or LED light bulbs in.
Why are they called can lights?
Can lights are recessed lights (lights that are installed in an opening in a ceiling) that get their nickname from their housings, which are cylindrical, metal, and pretty much can-like. It looks like a light bulb is installed into an empty can, which gets inserted into the open hollow in the ceiling.
Can you install can lights in existing ceiling?
A recessed light, sometimes called a can light, has both its housing and bulb recessed above the ceiling drywall. This is a simple project as long as the existing circuit cable can reach the light; if not, you have to install a junction box and extend new cable to the new light location.
Are recessed lights still in style?
Recessed lighting will never go out of style. However, the finishes and sizes will vary and change as time goes by. There are too many advantages of having the lighting recessed for them to eventually go out of style or phase out.
Is recessed lighting expensive?
Recessed lighting prices fall between $100 and $480 per light fixture, and $360 on average. This accounts for the cost of both materials and the labor required to install them. Installing recessed lighting may look like a tempting and inexpensive DIY project, but it might be better to have a professional’s help.
Should you put recessed lights in a bedroom?
Recessed ceiling lights have become a popular way to add lighting to bedrooms. Recessed lights are perfect for providing ambient or general lighting, giving your bedroom the feel of being bathed in sunlight. They can also be strategically placed to accent specific areas or features of your bedroom.
Does recessed lighting use more electricity?
Recessed lighting does use more electricity. The amount of electricity (kWh) consumed by recessed lighting is up to 90 kWh per day which is 2,700 kWh per month. This is in reference to recessed lighting with fluorescent lightbulbs. Typical electrical costs differ depending on where you live.
Is recessed lighting a fire hazard?
Lights generate a lot of heat when they are in use. This heat can be a safety hazard in certain situations where recessed lighting is used. This is important as non-IC rated recessed lighting in contact with insulation creates a fire hazard.
What can I use instead of recessed lights?
As an alternative to recessed lights, ceiling flush mounts offer decorative ambient lighting in a kitchen. Similar to flush-mounted ceiling lights are ceiling semi-flush lights, which project up to 18 inches from the ceiling.
Is recessed lighting cheaper than fixtures?
Recess lights may be cheaper than a normal light fixture. But, keep in mind most of the time you will need several in a given location. Installation is kind of expensive but isn’t most electrical work. Expect to pay anywhere between $125-$200 per for light and installation.
How do you make recessed lights look better?
Sconces and floor lamps will do the trick. An example of recessed lighting for non-IC new construction. Add dimmer switches. A directional recessed light. Brighten artwork with directional or gimbal adjustable recessed lighting. An LED retrofit recessed light kit. LED lighting has beneficial uses in recessed lighting.
Where should you have recessed lighting?
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.
Does recessed lighting add value to a home?
Does recessed lighting add home value? Recessed lighting can absolutely add home value of you take the time to place them correctly and use the right light temperature for the room. There are also ways to make recessed lighting more energy efficient which is not a bad additional benefit.
What is the difference between flush mounted and recessed?
Flush mount – the plate of the wired button sits or rests on the surface of the wall but the guts of the button will sit inside the wall. Recessed – this is where the entire doorbell push button mechanism in set inside the wall or mounting surface.
What light bulbs can you use in enclosed fixtures?
Only LED bulbs that are officially ‘Enclosed Rated’ will operate without any problems inside enclosed light fixtures. Regular LED bulbs may be used but they will become damaged or lose their efficiency quickly.
Can I use A19 bulb in recessed?
Recessed Light Bulbs As long as they do so, even the time-honored A19 shape bulb (the kind that shows up in cartoons when a character has an idea) or a CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb) can be used with a reflector trim in recessed lighting.
What size bulb for can lights?
For general lighting, most cans are 4″ or 5″ or 6″. For 4″ cans, you cannot choose BR40 bulbs — they’re too big. For 5″ cans, a BR30 will fit with a little space to all sides while a BR40 will fit with little to no space on the sides.
