What Are Recessed Lights?
Recessed lights, often referred to as downlights or can lights, are lighting fixtures installed into an opening in the ceiling. They consist of three main components: the housing, the trim, and the bulb (or light source). Designed to sit flush with the ceiling surface, recessed lighting provides a sleek, clean look that is versatile and unobtrusive, making it popular in modern and contemporary interior designs.
Recessed lights can use various types of bulbs, such as halogen, incandescent, compact fluorescent (CFL), and light-emitting diodes (LED). LEDs are increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and decreasing cost. The light source affects the fixture's brightness, color temperature, and energy consumption.
Can v.s. Canless Recessed Lighting
When choosing between canless and can (canned) recessed lighting options, understanding the distinctions between the two types is crucial for making an informed decision that aligns with your lighting needs, installation conditions, and design preferences. Both types serve the purpose of providing integrated, seamless lighting but differ in installation methods, design flexibility, and sometimes, performance.
Canless Recessed Lights - Canless recessed lights, also known as "direct mount" or "integrated LED" lights, are a modern solution that does not require a traditional metal can housing. These fixtures are designed with built-in LED modules and a slim profile that allows them to be installed directly into the ceiling without the need for a separate housing.
Can (Canned) Recessed Lighting - Can recessed lighting, the traditional option, involves a metal housing ("can") that is installed into the ceiling. This housing contains the light bulb (which can be LED, halogen, or another type) and necessary electrical connections.
The choice between canless and can recessed lighting largely depends on specific project requirements, including installation feasibility, aesthetic preferences, energy considerations, and lighting performance needs.
Ultimately, the decision should be based on a thorough assessment of the project's specific needs, taking into account the advantages and potential limitations of each option.
Recessed Lighting Size
4-Inch Recessed Lighting - Delivers effective lighting for smaller areas or focused tasks, making them ideal for accent lighting or specific tasks in kitchens and bathrooms. Best suited for spaces where precise, targeted illumination is needed without overwhelming the area, such as under cabinet lighting or highlighting artwork.
6-Inch Recessed Lighting - Offers a broad area of illumination due to its wider diameter, making it suitable for general lighting in residential and commercial spaces.Ideal for larger common areas such as hallways, stairwells, living rooms, and office spaces where wider light dispersion is beneficial.
8-Inch Recessed Lighting - The largest standard size available, designed to emit a substantial amount of light suitable for illuminating spacious environments effectively. Allows for greater spacing between fixtures while still adhering to safety and illumination standards, making it cost-effective for lighting large areas.
Drop Ceiling Lighting
Drop ceilings, also known as suspended ceilings, offer both functional and aesthetic benefits in various settings, from commercial offices to residential basements. One of the most flexible and popular lighting options for these ceilings is the use of can lights, which are recessed fixtures that can be seamlessly integrated into the ceiling grid, providing a clean, streamlined look.
Can lights are uniquely suited for drop ceiling environments. The space between the structural ceiling and the drop ceiling tiles offers ample room to accommodate the recessed can housing, making installation straightforward. This setup not only conceals the fixture hardware but also allows for easy access to the lights for maintenance or upgrades without disturbing the ceiling structure.
Although downlights are one of the most common types of drop ceiling lights, there are other popular types of drop ceiling lights as well, other drop ceiling lighting fixtures include,
LED Troffer Lights - These are traditional fixtures designed to fit into the grid of a drop ceiling. LED troffers typically use T8 or T5 LED tube lights and are known for providing bright, even lighting across a wide area. They are a common choice for office spaces, classrooms, and retail environments.
LED Panel Lights - LED panels are a modern alternative to fluorescent troffers, offering a slim profile and energy-efficient lighting. These fixtures can emit a soft, even light that mimics the appearance of natural daylight, making them ideal for workspaces. LED panels are designed to fit seamlessly into drop ceiling grids and are available in standard sizes, such as 2x2 feet or 2x4 feet.
Recessed Lighting Housing
New Construction Housings: Designed for use in new buildings or areas where the ceiling is accessible, such as during a major renovation. These housings are installed between ceiling joists, allowing for a more straightforward installation process before the ceiling material is applied.
Remodel Housings: Specifically designed for retrofitting into existing ceilings. These housings are lighter and are installed through a hole cut in the ceiling, making them ideal for updates or additions to lighting in finished spaces.
IC-Rated Housings: "Insulation Contact" rated housings are designed to come into direct contact with thermal insulation. These are essential in minimizing fire risk in ceilings with insulation.
Non-IC Rated Housings: These housings require a clearance between the housing and any insulation to prevent overheating. They are used in spaces where insulation is not present.
Airtight Housings: Designed to prevent airflow between conditioned (heated or cooled) spaces and unconditioned areas above the ceiling. Airtight housings improve energy efficiency by reducing the loss of conditioned air.
Recessed Lighting Trim
Baffle Trim: The most common type of trim, featuring a ribbed interior that minimizes glare. Baffle trims are ideal for living areas where soft, diffused light is desired.
Reflector Trim: Designed with a smooth, reflective interior to maximize light output. These are used in spaces requiring bright illumination, such as kitchens or workspaces.
Adjustable/ Gimbal Trim: Allows the direction of the light beam to be adjusted. Perfect for accent lighting, highlighting artwork, or architectural features.
Lens/ Shower Trim: Features a flat or domed glass cover and is used in wet locations such as showers. The cover protects the bulb and interior of the housing from moisture.
Wall Wash Trim: Has a shield on one side to direct light towards a wall, creating an even wash of light. This trim is used to highlight wall textures, paintings, or displays.
Where Are Recessed Lights Used?
Recessed lights are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of settings for various purposes, including residential, commercial, and institutional spaces. Their ability to blend seamlessly into the ceiling while providing efficient, directed lighting makes them suitable for both functional and aesthetic purposes. Here's a look at where recessed lights are commonly used:
- Kitchens: Often used for task lighting over countertops, sinks, and islands. Recessed lighting provides excellent illumination for cooking and meal preparation areas.
- Living Rooms: Used for ambient lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Can also be used for accent lighting to highlight artwork, bookshelves, or architectural features.
- Bathrooms: Ideal for providing bright, shadow-free lighting above vanities and in showers. Special wet-rated fixtures are used in damp areas.
- Bedrooms: Offers soft, ambient lighting for a relaxing environment. Can be used for reading lights when placed strategically near or above the bed.
- Hallways and Entryways: Provides welcoming and safe lighting for navigation through these transitional spaces.
- Offices: Used for general ambient lighting to create a productive work environment. Can also be used in conference rooms for focused lighting.
- Retail Spaces: Excellent for accent lighting to highlight merchandise, creating visual interest and drawing attention to specific areas or products.
- Galleries and Museums: Ideal for accent and task lighting to illuminate artwork and exhibits without causing glare or damage to sensitive items.
- Educational Institutions: Used in classrooms, libraries, and auditoriums for general lighting that is comfortable for reading and learning activities.
- Healthcare Facilities: Provides clean, bright lighting in patient rooms, hallways, and treatment areas, where visibility and a calming atmosphere are crucial.
- Soffit Lighting: Recessed lighting in soffits or under overhangs can illuminate exterior walls, walkways, and entry areas, enhancing both aesthetics and security.
- Covered Patios and Decks: Offers ambient lighting for outdoor living areas, making them more usable in the evening.
Professional Recessed Lighting Design
Church Auditorium Dimensions: 67x11 ft
Fixture 1 Type: Recessed Ceiling Lights
Fixture 2 Type: Recessed Doorway Lights
Fixture 3 Type: Recessed Wall Highlighting
Fixture Count: 71
Recessed Ceiling Lights Angle: 10 Inch, 40 Degree Beam Angle
Church Auditorium Floor Illumination: 62.5fc
Church Auditorium Stage Illumination: 45.9fc
Emergency Recessed Lighting / Battery Backup
Emergency recessed lighting fixtures equipped with battery backup are a crucial component of building safety systems, designed to provide illumination in the event of a power outage or emergency situation. These specialized fixtures are seamlessly integrated into the ceiling, maintaining the aesthetic appeal of a space while ensuring that occupants can safely navigate and exit the building during emergencies.
Battery Backup: These emergency lights are equipped with built-in batteries that charge during normal operation. In the event of a power failure, the battery provides power to the fixture, ensuring that the lights remain on.
Automatic Operation: Emergency recessed lights with battery backup are designed to automatically switch to battery power when they detect a loss of electrical power, ensuring no manual intervention is required.
Duration of Illumination: By regulation, emergency lighting must provide illumination for a minimum duration, typically at least 90 minutes, to allow sufficient time for evacuation.
Compliance and Safety Standards
Building Codes: Installation of emergency lighting with battery backup is mandated by building codes and standards in many jurisdictions, particularly in commercial, institutional, and multi-tenant residential buildings.
Testing and Maintenance: Regular testing and maintenance are required to ensure that emergency lights are operational and batteries retain their charge. This typically involves monthly brief tests and annual tests for the full required operational duration.
Applications
Commercial Buildings: Offices, retail spaces, and entertainment venues use emergency recessed lighting to guide occupants to exits and assembly points.
Institutional Facilities: Schools, hospitals, and government buildings require reliable emergency lighting for evacuation and to facilitate emergency response operations.
Residential Complexes: Apartment buildings and condominiums benefit from emergency lighting in common areas and pathways to enhance resident safety.
Other Forms of Recessed Lighting
Recessed lights are known by several names and types, each reflecting a specific design, functionality, or application. Here's a compilation of alternative names and types of recessed lighting, including some specialized forms like eyeball lights and gimbals:
- Downlights: A broad term for lights that are recessed into the ceiling, directing light downward.
- Pot Lights: Commonly used in Canada, this term refers to the pot-like shape of the recessed lighting housing.
- Can Lights: Due to the cylindrical shape of the metal housing that resembles a can.
- Eyeball Lights: These feature an adjustable inner housing that tilts, allowing the light to be directed at specific areas or objects. It's like an "eyeball" that can look in different directions.
- Gimbal Lights: Similar to eyeball lights, gimbal lights offer adjustable positioning but with a design that allows the light to rotate within its housing, providing directed illumination with a sleeker, more integrated look.
- Baffle Trim Lights: Characterized by their ribbed inner rings designed to reduce glare. The ribs absorb excess light, making the output easier on the eyes.
- Reflector Trim Lights: These have smooth, reflective interiors that maximize light output, making them ideal for areas where brighter light is needed.
- Shower Lights: Specifically designed for wet environments, these have a waterproof seal to protect against moisture, making them suitable for bathrooms and exteriors.
- IC Rated Lights: "Insulation Contact" rated fixtures that are safe to be in direct contact with insulation, reducing the risk of overheating and fire.
- Non-IC Rated Lights: These require a certain amount of clearance between the lighting fixture and insulation to prevent heat buildup.
- Airtight Lights: Designed to prevent airflow between conditioned (heated or cooled) spaces and unconditioned areas, improving energy efficiency.
LED Can Lights
LED can lights have transformed the way spaces are illuminated, combining the sleek, unobtrusive design of traditional recessed lighting with the advanced technology and efficiency of LEDs. These fixtures are designed to fit into the metal housing ("can") recessed into ceilings, providing a clean, modern look while offering superior energy efficiency, longevity, and lighting quality compared to traditional lighting solutions
One of the most compelling advantages of LED can lights is their significant energy savings. LEDs consume a fraction of the power required by incandescent or halogen bulbs, translating into lower electricity bills and reduced environmental impact. This efficiency does not compromise brightness; LED can lights provide ample illumination, making them ideal for both residential and commercial settings.
LED can lights are available in various sizes, shapes, and designs, including dimmable options, which provide further energy savings and mood lighting capabilities. They can be used in a wide range of applications, from general ambient lighting to task and accent lighting, in spaces such as kitchens, living rooms, offices, and retail environments.
Modern LED can lights are designed for easy installation and retrofitting, making them suitable for both new construction and renovation projects. Retrofit models can fit into existing recessed housings, allowing for a straightforward upgrade to LED technology without the need for extensive remodeling.
LED Eyeball Lights
Eyeball lights, a distinctive category of recessed lighting fixtures, combine the sleek, unobtrusive look of can lights with enhanced directional flexibility. Named for their unique adjustable "eyeball" design, these fixtures allow users to pivot and direct the light beam towards specific areas or objects within a space, making them an excellent choice for task lighting, accent lighting, or wall washing.
The defining characteristic of an eyeball light is its adjustable inner housing, which can tilt and rotate within the outer can. This mobility enables the light source to be directed at various angles, offering targeted illumination without the need to adjust the fixture's position within the ceiling. The "eyeball" mechanism is typically surrounded by a trim that fits flush with the ceiling surface, maintaining a clean and cohesive aesthetic.
Recessed Lighting Cost
The cost of recessed lighting can vary widely based on factors such as the fixture type, design, material quality, and brand reputation. This range in pricing reflects the diversity of options available to consumers, accommodating different preferences and requirements.
For a basic overview, entry-level recessed lighting options can be quite affordable, starting at just $9.99. These are typically simpler designs, possibly with fewer features or made from less expensive materials. They are suitable for straightforward lighting needs where advanced specifications or high-end finishes are not a priority.
On the higher end, recessed lighting fixtures can reach prices up to $112.95. Fixtures in this price range often include premium features such as LED technology, advanced dimming capabilities, higher quality materials, and designs that offer more aesthetic appeal or specialized functionalities like energy efficiency or integration with smart home systems.
The recessed lighting options at our store cater to a wide range of budgets and preferences, with prices spanning from $9.99 to $112.95. Whether you're looking for a basic solution or a high-end fixture with advanced features, our selection is designed to meet diverse lighting needs while ensuring quality and value.