Installing Recessed Lights in Drop Ceiling
#1
05-30-03, 07:56 AM
Installing Recessed Lights in Drop Ceiling
I am finishing my basement. I want to install recessed lights in the drop ceiling. The grid is 3" below the ceiling beams. I have found 2 type of lights: new construction and old construction. I don't see how either of these will work. The new construction is designed to mount onto the beams (3" above the grid!) and the old construction relies on the ceiling panels for support (they are a bit light and flimsy and will sag under the weight). Any suggestions? Thanks.
#2
05-30-03, 08:29 AM
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the new work type should mount right to the grid itself with the sliding bars(with wire). some small pieces of ceiling tile placed between the bar and the tile should give the fixture some more support.
#3
06-05-03, 09:01 AM
anchor the grid to structure
Yes the grid will sag. The answer to that is to add additional anchors to structure around the lights. You are already driving a lag eye bolt into the joists and attaching wire from the grid to that eye bolt. Just add a couple more around each light fixtures.
#4
06-05-03, 09:44 AM
Thanks to all. I went with the new construction lights. The brackets extend out to the grid. Even though the brackets do not rigidly attach to the grid (I can use wires to affix them a bit), this should transfer some of the load from the ceiling tile to the grid to avoid sagging. The lights aren't that heavy anyway, and I am using a rigid Armstrong ceiling tile so I bet I'll be ok.
#5
06-05-03, 12:14 PM
you still should use add'l anchors
You should still use additional attachments to the joists above is you are using the armstrong residential ceiling grids. If you are using the industrial grids then you probably don't need the extra support from the joists.
If you got the grids from a home center or big box, its the residential stuff. Spend the extra couple of bucks and add support from the grid to the joists.
If you got the grids from a home center or big box, its the residential stuff. Spend the extra couple of bucks and add support from the grid to the joists.
