Recessed lighting fixtures are flush-mounted lights designed to illuminate rooms from above. They can provide ambient or general illumination in the space or highlight specific parts with accent lighting. Find out the best info about downlight vs spotlight.
Selecting the ideal recessed light requires careful thought and consideration of three main criteria: housing, trim, and style.
Light output
Recess lighting output varies based on the style and types you select, from bright, unfiltered fixtures that work well in kitchens and other spaces that require intense illumination to dimmable LED recessed lights that offer more intimate mood lighting.
Once again, you must decide the design of your can light. Do you prefer complete regression or shallow design, which situates closer to the ceiling plane but can cause distracting glare? Most recessed downlights offer options to help with this decision, and you may choose from various housing types for this feature.
Recessed downlights have various trim styles, such as baffle and smooth trims. Baffle trim features uniform grooves close to the light source to reduce glare and provide soft lighting without straining eyes, while a smooth edge offers more of a contemporary appearance. You could also select a gimbal or eyeball trim, which allows you to direct light in specific directions.
As part of your recessed downlight selection process, it’s also essential to determine whether you want them IC-rated, explicitly designed for new construction projects, or non-IC, suitable for remodeling projects in existing homes. Once decided upon, select trim and bulbs that best suit your project requirements.
Dimming capabilities
Dimmable recessed downlights are an excellent choice for general illumination and accentuating focal points or objects in any room. They can be installed during new home construction or retrofitted using remodel kits; these kits include housing, bulb, wiring, and junction box components and can be purchased online or from home improvement stores. When choosing the perfect fixture type and features for your space, there are numerous factors to consider when making this selection decision.
Size plays a significant role in the performance and application of recessed downlights, from their light output for general use to smaller fixtures being less conspicuous. Aperture sizes of downlights should correspond with ceiling height; an ideal 6 inches will give an optimal balance between light output and visual impact.
Trim styles available for recessed downlights range from those designed specifically to work in vaulted or sloped ceilings to dim-to-warm capabilities that allow fixtures to adapt as the ambient lighting changes throughout the day.
Installing recessed lights may seem simple, but for safety and peace of mind, hiring professionals who specialize in electrical or construction work may be best. They will help protect against safety hazards and possible fixture damage and disconnect the circuit’s power before starting any work, using a voltage tester to verify no live wires are present in your electrical circuit.
Color temperature
When purchasing recessed downlights, ensure you know the desired color temperature. This is critical since this decision will affect the overall aesthetics of the space and which light bulb options might best meet your needs and preferences. Correlated color temperature (CCT), measured in Kelvins (K), can help guide this decision process.
Recessed lights offer an easy, stylish way to brighten any room without the effort and expense of installing ceiling fans. Easy to set up, these modern fixtures lend any space a modern aesthetic while being simple to install. Recessed lights can also be used for accentuating art or furniture and providing general illumination – and come in an assortment of colors such as cool white, warm white, and daylight for outdoor ambiance lighting effects.
These LED commercial downlights feature an easy CCT selector switch on their back for you to change their light output from warm white (2700K) to daylight at 5000K, giving you five distinct lighting options from which to choose. Plus, before deciding, you can test each option before installing it in your home or business!
These recessed lights are an excellent choice for sloped ceilings and vaulted spaces, boasting low profiles with no heat output; their insulation-contacting rating also means no gap between the fixture and insulation needs to be. Their sleek frosted trims create a modern aesthetic in contemporary homes; plus, they’re compatible with most recessed cans, making installation simple during remodels or new construction projects.
Energy efficiency
Recess downlights use less energy than traditional ceiling lights because they’re installed higher up in space. They provide ambient illumination or can highlight specific spots within rooms; their versatility also offers numerous aesthetic options depending on build, trim, and angle considerations.
An important consideration when purchasing recessed lights is their wattage. Different sizes provide different amounts of illumination, and higher wattages use more energy; selecting an energy-efficient LED lamp will lower power usage while offering sufficient description.
Housings that hold the bulb and other components of a fixture should also be carefully considered; these housings may either be insulated or non-insulated, depending on whether new construction or remodel applications require them. Hiring an electrician to install your fixture before the ceiling goes up for best results is wise.
Some manufacturers offer a more expensive premium line of recessed lights with extra options and features than the standard option, including more options regarding wattages, colors, and app-based color-changing capabilities. Lowe’s lighting experts are on hand to assist in choosing the ideal fixture for your home and can answer any queries about bulbs, trim, or housing for your institutions.
Read Also: Developing a Creative Vision to Distinguish Yourself in Business
