Understanding Recessed Lighting

by Murray Anderson

Whether you're in the process of building a brand new home, doing a major remodel or just want to upgrade and modernize a single room, recessed lighting should be on your list of options. Recessed lights (often called 'can' lights because the fixtures resemble a large tin can) has been a popular choice of homeowners for well over 50 years, so the advantages of recessed lights have been proven over time. Here's some ideas on why recessed lights have proven to be so popular as well as some basic information on the fixtures themselves.

What makes recessed lighting so popular?

Recessed lights are flexible and adaptable.
There are three ways light fixture can be used – to provide general or ambient light, provide specific task lighting or finally to provide highlights or accent lighting or on a picture or piece of art. Recessed lights can be used to provide any or all of these functions.
They can be installed virtually anywhere.
As long as there is a flat surface and electrical power recessed lights can be installed, including difficult areas such as sloped or cathedral ceilings, under eaves or porches and even in walls.
Recessed lights can be customized
Since the 'can' or lighting fixture is installed behind the ceiling all you see is the decorative ring and the light bulb itself, making it easy and inexpensive to customize recessed light fixtures to match virtual any room décor and color scheme.
Recessed lights blend in and are unobtrusive.
Since the fixture itself can't be seen, other elements of the room will become the focal point.
Finally, it's economical and cost efficient.
Many recessed light fixtures operate on low voltage or halogen bulbs and often also work with a dimmer switch, making them potentially more economical.

Not all recessed light fixtures are the same

Recessed light fixtures are available in two types, insulated ceiling and non insulated fixtures and it's important you understand the difference.
Insulated fixtures (marked with “IC” stamped on the can have a built in air gap so they can be placed right against existing insulation without needing to worry about the potential fire danger of heat build up.
Non insulated fixtures insulated fixtures need at least a three inch space all around them to allow the heat from the light bulb to dissipate.
In general when installing recessed fixtures in an existing home, insulated ceiling fixtures should be used while in new construction non insulated fixtures are common.

Getting the most from your recessed lights

When you're deciding where to actually place your recessed lighting fixtures there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Standard diameters for all types of recessed lights are 4, 5 or 6 inches. The larger fixtures work better in high entryways or hallways, while the smaller fixtures are better in smaller spaces where their small size makes them less intrusive.
A couple of common rules of thumb is to use one fixture for every 25 square feet of ceiling and place 4 inch fixtures at least 4 feet apart and 6 inch fixtures, 6 feet apart.
Your lights will look best if you don't place your fixtures too close together or in rows running down the middle of a room.