Recessed Lighting Tips |
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Recessed Lighting GuideTerm: "IC" Rated HousingsDefinition: "IC" is short for Insulation Contact. This means that any housing with the "IC" rating can make direct contact with ceiling insulation. Generally these housings can handle up to 100 watts of light output. Term: NON "IC" Housings Definition: This means that these housings can NOT make direct contact with insulation. Some codes allow you to use and space the insulation 3" away and some codes do not allow you to use NON "IC" Housings at all if insulation is present. These housings are still used because they usually allow for higher wattages, but now with the introduction of the new "IC" Air Tight housings that can handle the same higher wattages, these non "IC" housings are being phased out of the industry. Term: Air Tight AND "IC" Rated Housings Definition: This means that this housing is "Air Tight" rated AND is also "IC" rated. Therefore this housing is approved and made to be sealed so as not to allow air to escape through it into your ceiling or attic AND can make direct contact with insulation as well. These housings are designed to save you money on your electrical bill by reducing your heating and air conditioning costs and will meet all Air Tight Requirements. The light output that these housings can handle varies and is posted by each housing. For complete Air Tight details, click here. Term: Air Tight NON "IC" Housings Definition: This means that any housing with the "Air Tight" rating is approved and made to be sealed so as not to allow air to escape through it into your ceiling or attic. These housings can NOT make contact with insulation. These housings help compensate for not having insulation in your ceiling and reduce your heating and air conditioning costs and will meet all Air Tight Requirements. The light output that these housings can handle varies and is posted by each housing. For complete Air Tight details, click here. Recessed Lighting HelpProblem: I live in California and have Title 24 Questions.Solution: Click Here for complete details of California Title 24. Question: Do I need Air Tight Fixtures? Answer: Click Here for complete Air Tight and California Title 24 details. Term: New Work or New Construction Housings Definition: This means that any housing with the "New Work or New Construction" rating is made with a frame and adjustable or fixed bar hangers. These bar hangers are attached to the frame. The bar hangers are usually adjustable and are designed to be nailed to the joists in you open ceiling (meaning no drywall) application (hence new work/new construction). Now keep in mind if you have existing drywall and you may still be able to use these type of housing if you have enough access space (crawl space) to allow you to access to the joist area. Term: Remodel or Old Work Housings Definition: This means that any housing with the "Remodel" rating is made without a frame and has mounting clips. These clips are attached to the "can" are of the housing. These clips are designed to attach to the drywall and some other materials. Therefor you mst have existing drywall or surface to attach these housing to, You can NOT use for open ceilings. Term: 12v LOW VOLTAGE Housings Definition: 12v Low Voltage means that that housing has a transformer built in to it (unless otherwise noted that transformer is not included). This transformer (usually 50 Watts maximum) steps down the voltage coming in to your home which is called High Voltage (110/120 Volt) and converts (steps it down) to 12 Volt Low Voltage. This transformer is designed to be quiet in operation and last for many years - sometimes for life, depending on where you purchase and the warranty that company offers. We offer the longest warranty. 12 Volt Low Voltage is an energy efficient lighting and allows you to utilize the amazing MR16 bulb (unless otherwise noted that it uses another type bulb). This halogen MR16 bulb offers the largest variety of wattages and beam spreads of any bulb on the market. For more details on this MR16 bulb please click here.  That's why you will find these 12v Low Voltage housings used as task lights to highlight pictures, columns, items, etc. in your home or place of business. They can also be used for general lighting. Term: 120v HIGH VOLTAGE Housings Definition: 120v High Voltage means that that housing has NO transformer and does NOT require one. Therefore it uses the same voltage coming in to your home which is called High Voltage (110/120 Volt). These High Voltage housings (although NOT as energy efficient as the Low Voltage units) are still very popular for the following reasons: a) There is no transformer to worry about b) They generally cost less because there is no transformer c) They can use a halogen or incandescent bulb (although the amount of adjustable trims are limited) d) Great for general lighting (higher wattages than 50 Watts, some go as far as 150 watts) e) They weigh less therefore there are less shipping costs Term: 3", 4", 5" & 6" Recessed Lighting Definition: Very Simple: Diameter Size (in inches) of the housing's opening where the trim is to be inserted. Is there a difference in light output? There is no difference in light output if they take the same bulb and handle the same wattage. For example, if a 3" housing takes a 50 Watt MR16 Bulb, and a 4", 5" or 6" housing takes the same bulb, then you will get the same exact light output. The only difference is the 3" will just be a smaller looking fixture than the 4", 5" or 6". The most popular sizes are 4" in 120 Volt or 12 Volt, and 6" in 120 Volt. The 3" housings & trims, which have been on the market since 2000, are popular with designers because the appearance of these 3" trims is slightly smaller than the 4" trims. As for the 5", they are for the people that don't want to be restricted to the 4" housings' bulb limitations but do not want the size of the 6" housings. Term: Retro-Fit Kits 6" Definition: 6" Retro-Fit Kits are available for when you have existing 6" 120 Volt Standard Housings, and would like to retro-fit some of them without destroying your ceiling or removing the existing housings to achieve an adjustable trim and/or an energy efficient Halogen 12 Volt System. We offer a variety of these kits to choose from. Click Here for these Retro-Fit Kits. 4" Definition: 4" Retro-Fit Kits are available for when you have existing 4" 120 Volt Standard Housings, and would like to retro-fit some of them without destroying your ceiling or removing the existing housings to achieve a Much More adjustable trim. We offer a variety of these kits to choose from. Click Here for these Retro-Fit Kits. Question: I already have the housing and need to know if your trims will work with the housing I purchased elsewhere? Answer: At the bottom of each trim product page, you will find a chart displaying other brand housings that MAY work with that particular trim. This chart is simply provided as a courtesy and was compiled based on previous customer feedback. It should NOT be taken as a form of advice or a recommendation to use our trims with other brand housings. We are NOT responsible for use of these trims on different brand housings Question: I plan on purchasing the housing from you and want to know which trims will work with it? Answer: At the bottom of each housing product page, you will find thumbnail images for trims that will work with that particular housing. Question: I found trim(s) that I like on this website and I want to know which housings on this website will work with it? Answer: At the bottom of each trim product page, you will find thumbnail images for housings that will work with that particular trim. Term: Bulbs Definition: Before deciding on a bulb, click here. For our bulbs, click here. Recessed Lighting InstallationWe highly recommend you consult a licensed electrician for recessed lighting installation.
 Recessed Lighting
Many design professionals use recessed lighting in nearly every room of the house. Because the source of the lighting isn't visible, recessed lighting can fit into any design scheme and provide bright, clear light from various sources. Unlike most overhead lights, you can position recessed lighting to eliminate dark spots and shadows in a room. Here's how to select the right recessed lighting that's right for your home. Step 1: Check local ordinances about lights for your home. In many areas, you may have to comply with safety and energy codes when remodeling or building new construction. Step 2: Choose remodel or new construction lights based on your needs. Remodel lights are designed to be installed from below the ceiling. New construction lights can be installed between the ceiling supports from above. Step 3: Decide whether you want airtight (energy saving) housings. Airtight housings are designed to reduce the amount of heat and air conditioning lost when recessed lights are used. Some areas require them. Step 4: Check to see if there is insulation above your ceiling. If there is, you will need to install insulation contact (IC) light housings to prevent fire hazards. Step 5: Decide on the type of lightbulbs you will use in the recessed lights. Choices include incandescent, fluorescent and halide (halogen) lights, and each has its own unique qualities and features (see Tips, below). Step 6: Choose housings that reduce glare and offer maximum light output. Step 7: Choose trim that coordinates with your room. |
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Before you buy recessed lighting, please read this page. It will better help you decide on recessed lighting spacing, recessed lighting design, layout and recessed lighting ideas.
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