Recessed Lighting Buying Guide

3 Parts of a Recessed Light

Lamp type, housing and trim are the three parts of recessed lighting. When choosing recessed lights, you'll do so based on these components.

1. Housing

The housing is essentially the anchor keeping the light secure. It contains all the wiring and internal workings of the fixture. This is the part placed on the interior of the ceiling and stays out of sight. Here are a few tips when purchasing the housing.

Check the voltage. When installing any type of lighting, you should verify that you have the right voltage for your needs. Recessed lighting comes in multiple voltages to make sure you get the right voltage, whether that is low voltage or line voltage.

Check for IC ratings if applicable. If you are placing fixtures in a ceiling with insulation, it is crucial to choose a housing that is rated to place in that environment. It can become a potential safety hazard to ignore the IC rating of any recessed fixture because the heat produced by the fixture may cause the insulation to start a fire. Always check your rating!

Structural features. The housing needs to be sturdy in order to support the fixture. You should choose high-quality materials that are sturdy yet lightweight such as aluminum housings.

2. Trim

Trim is the part that is visible once the light is properly installed. It helps to hide any space or visible housing parts. When installing rectangular recessed lighting, the trim will not be an issue since it is standard issue in design. However, for can lights, the trim is a crucial part of the design process. Here are a few things you need to know.

There are several types of trim available for can lights. From options called pinhole which make the lamp source smaller and more focused to reflector styles which help to maximize the illumination spread, the options for trim run a gamut of possible needs. Whether you want a standard baffle trim for a great value, an adjustable option for more control over light fall, or a decorative glass trim, there is an option for you on today’s market.

Make sure the style works. While trim is functional, it is also equally about style. Make sure you choose a trim that works for the overall decor and theme of the space to avoid it looking like an eyesore.

While you can purchase the housing and the trim separately, there are also retrofit can lights on the market for those looking for even more ease of installation.

3. Lamp

There are four choices when choosing lamps for recessed lighting.

Incandescent is a low voltage lamp that gives a warm glow for ambiance lighting. They are least efficient in terms of wattage consumed to lumen output, but they are an attractive choice many people prefer for the appearance.

Halogen lamps offer a bright light source that is better than incandescent in terms of efficiency. However, they can get hot to the touch which may be a factor to consider.

Fluorescent is a staple for many reasons. They are affordable, provide pleasing light at varying specifications, and they last a long time. It can flicker when the lamp performance is reduced, and dimmable capabilities are still lagging behind LED.

LED is quickly becoming the go-to or lighting of all types. It offers the best return on energy consumed to lumen output, provides flicker-free lighting, and has superior dimmable capabilities. It is costlier than other lamps, but it will also last the longest.

Determining the Right Size for Recessed Lighting

There are a wide variety of sizes for LED recessed lighting fixtures, ranging from as small as 2 inches in diameter to as large as 8 inches or more. The most common sizes are:

It's important to note that the size of the fixture can impact the amount of light it produces, as well as how it looks in a space. It's best to choose a size that is appropriate for the room and its intended use. If you're still unsure what size you need, check out our in-depth article about recessed can lighting sizes.

Deciding How Many Recessed Lights You Need

The number of recessed lighting fixtures required depends on the size of the room and the level of brightness needed. In larger spaces, multiple recessed lights may be required to provide adequate lighting. A general rule of thumb is to space recessed lights roughly half the ceiling height apart. For example, for an 8-foot ceiling, place lights about 4 feet apart.

You'll also want to keep lights at least 2 to 3 feet away from the walls. Placing fixtures too close to the walls can cause harsh shadows or uneven lighting on vertical surfaces. Additionally, consider the spacing between fixtures to avoid under- or over-lit areas. Warehouse-Lighting.com provides Free Lighting Design and Layout assistance to help you plan your lighting scheme.

Ensuring Code Compliance & Safety Ratings

• Before finalizing your fixture list, verify it meets required codes.
• Check for IC rating, Airtight (AT) rating, Damp/wet location ratings, Fire-rated housings, and UL/DLC certifications.

Calculating Cost of Use

Buyers should always think beyond the sticker price. Consider:

• Wattage and energy efficiency (LEDs offer 50-80% energy savings vs. fluorescent)
• Lifespan (LEDs last 50,000+ hours = less maintenance)
• Installation cost (retrofit = lower labor)
• Maintenance
• Utility rebates

Ask your supplier about available rebates—many can reduce costs by 10-20%.

Installing LED Recessed Lights in Existing Fixtures

You can replace the bulbs in your existing recessed lighting fixtures with LEDs, provided the fixtures are compatible with LED lamps. LEDs use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Select LEDs that are the appropriate size and wattage for your fixtures. Additionally, if you're using dimmer switches, ensure the LEDs are dimmable. If your current fixture doesn't accommodate LEDs, you can always pick up retrofit recessed lighting kits that will enable you to make the switch.