Recessed Lighting Buying Guide

In new construction, recessed lighting is usually installed between ceiling joists, but you can retrofit recessed lighting
almost anywhere in your home.

If your ceiling is insulated, the recessed light fixtures must be IC housing rated, meaning they are approved for use near insulation.
Avoid recessed lighting in concrete ceilings or in ceilings with detailed plasterwork or moulding.
Choose a chandelier instead.
Place recessed lights about 3 feet away from the wall to avoid creating shadows that make your ceilings look lower.

When spacing recessed lights, use this general rule of thumb: divide the height of the ceiling by two to get the distance the lights should be from one another. For example, an 8-foot tall
ceiling should have recessed lights spaced 4 feet apart.

Use recessed lights to illuminate focal points such as kitchen bars, bookshelves, paintings, statues and fireplaces.

For task lighting, install recessed lighting directly overhead. Examples of task lighting include lighting for reading areas, stovetops and sinks.
Install recessed lights under kitchen cabinets to have focused light on counters.

Recessed light trims
refer to the part of the fixture that is visible from the outside. There are a variety of different trims available.

Baffle trim:

• The ridges on
  baffle trim recessed lights
  are designed to reduce glare from the
  recessed light bulbs.
• Great for creating a softer glow and a reducing eye strain.
• Trim is recommended for the living room, entryways and foyers.

Reflector trim:

• The polished finish on reflector trim recessed lights amplify the light beam.
• These lights are brighter and more vibrant.
• Trim is recommended for kitchens and rooms with higher ceilings.

Gimbal trim:

• Gimbal trim recessed lights
  are designed to pivot and turn to offer directional light.
• They direct downlight exactly where you need it.
• This trim is ideal for accent walls and on sloped ceilings.

Wall wash trim:

• Like gimbal trim,
  wall wash recessed lights
  tilt and rotate, but these offer a greater range of motion.
• Offers directional light and are great for adding emphasis or highlighting a task.
• This trim is great highlighting artwork on gallery and display walls.

Shower trim:

• Shower trim recessed lights, also known as a ceiling mount trim, are wet location rated and resistant to moisture and corrosion.
• Features a clean and understated design to blend in with your bathroom.
• This trim is specifically designed for installation above the bathtub and in shower stalls.

Open trim:

• Low profile and economical.
• Fits tight around the lamp.
• Sits flush with the ceiling.

Eyeball trim:

• Allows you to control the direction of the light.
• Range of motion is typically 30 degree and 359 degree rotation.

Pinhole trims:

• Provides a tight beam of light from a concealed source.
• Aperture fits snug around the lamp, which is recessed above the surface.

Wafer Trim (Ultra thin):

• Latest innovation in the LED recessed lighting.
• Lowest profile option.

Note: There are also 10 to 12 inch fixture options, if you're looking for something larger.

There is a range of recessed light sizes. To determine the size, measure the diameter of the cut-out opening in inches, not including the trim.

Choose one that will accommodate the height of your ceiling or the size of your wall.

• 4-inch
  and
  5-inch
  fixtures are great in kitchens for providing overhead countertop lighting.
• 6-inch
  fixtures are most common for general lighting purposes.
• 7- to 9-inch
  fixtures will create a wider wash of light.

Most recessed lighting fixtures come in three different color temperatures:

• Soft: comfortable light with a warm glow
• Bright: refreshing light with a cool glow
• Daylight: designed to mimic natural light

With custom installations,
you can have tunable lighting that
changes color or
temperature as desired. Adjust the lights right from your smart phone or other device.

Selectable lighting gives you the option to preset multiple temperatures before installation.

Recessed lighting can be a great addition to any room. The most popular rooms to install recessed lighting are the kitchen, bathroom and living room. This type of lighting is also commonly used in outdoor living spaces.

• Kitchen recessed lighting
  options will vary according to the size of your space, but a reflector trim is highly recommended. Choose lights that are 4 inches or 5 inches in diameter to provide enough concentrated light for meal prep and cleanup.
• The best
  bathroom recessed lighting
  options are waterproof and designed for wet or moist locations. They will resist corrosion and are less likely to short circuit over time.
• Living room recessed lighting
  fixtures serve a variety of purposes. If you’re looking to display artwork or accent pieces, consider wall wash trim options. If your ceilings are sloped, choose lights with a sloped trim to accommodate the space.
• Outdoor recessed lighting
  is designed to stand up against the outdoor elements, including rain, storms and extreme temperatures. These are also available in multiple sizes and trims and with a whole host of unique features.

While standard recessed lights are extremely energy efficient, integrated
LED recessed lighting
can operate for years before a bulb change is required.

Integrated LED:

• The LED bulbs in
  integrated LED lighting
  are built into the fixture.
• This all-in-one unit connects directly with the main lines or tracks.
• Professional installation is recommended for this kind of recessed lighting.

LED retrofit:

• An
  LED retrofit
  is used to add LED bulbs to your existing recessed lighting fixture.
• These kits convert your light cans to ones that are compatible with modern LED lights.
• DIY installation is simple, and instructions are easy to follow.

Tip: If you plan to add LED bulbs to fixtures on a dimmer, you will need to replace the dimmer switch, and make sure to select dimmable LEDs.