Recessed Downlight
The right recessed downlight can help highlight architectural features, brighten areas of interest and illuminate work surfaces. They also provide a clean, modern and versatile look that can be used in practically any room.
They come in a variety of styles and sizes, and can be dimmed if needed for more control over the lighting in your home. It’s important to choose a size that matches your ceiling height and what you want to use the light for.
Housing
The housing of a recessed downlight conceals the light fixture and contains the bulb. It is often integrated into the complete light fixture, making it easier to install than a separate component. The housing comes in different sizes and shapes depending on how the fixture is mounted.
New Construction: Typically used in new homes, the housing is installed between joists or on hanger bars secured to above-ceiling framing members. The housing is then wired to a junction box and finished with trim.
Remodel: Unlike new construction, remodel style recessed lights are supported by screws or nails in the ceiling joists. These are ideal for installing in vaulted or sloped ceilings where access to run wiring is difficult.
IC Rated (Insulation Contact): Designed to allow direct contact with insulation that is above the ceiling. This type of housing must have at least 3 inches of clearance between the housing and the insulation.
Non-IC Rated: Designed for existing ceilings, the housing must have at least 3 inches of clearance from the insulation.
Air Tight: Reduces air flow between unconditioned space above and a conditioned room below, lowering heating and cooling costs. This is a common feature in LED recessed lighting.
Square: Some people prefer square fixtures to round ones, as they have a more pleasing aesthetic. These are more expensive than round lights, but are worth the price if you prefer their aesthetic.
The trim – a finished part that is inserted in the housing – affects how the light looks and operates. It can manipulate the light in various ways, from reducing glare to adding depth.
The trim is a critical piece in ensuring the proper lighting for a space. It can also be a decorative touch, depending on the finish and material you choose.
Trim
Recessed downlights are an excellent choice for illuminating many different types of spaces. They’re designed to fit in tight spaces and offer a clean look. They’re also a good choice for rooms with low ceilings where other lighting options would be too bulky.
The trim that covers the recessed fixture is important to consider in your design. It should match the room’s aesthetic and be made of the same material as the ceiling. The color of the trim can have a significant impact on light output.
Dark colored trims absorb light and can result in as much as 44% loss in overall light output. White trims blend in better and don’t absorb as much light.
If you want your recessed downlights to blend in with the ceiling, choose trims that are white. You can also use a trim with a specular finish, which reflects light and reduces glare.
Decorative trims come in all shapes and finishes. They’re often made of a combination of metal and glass.
* Baffle: A very Recessed Downlight popular style of recessed downlight trim, baffles feature large grooves on the inside surface that absorb excess light. They’re available in black to reduce glare, or white to help blend in with the ceiling.
They can be used in most rooms and are the most economical option.
They’re available in a variety of sizes and can be adjusted up to 40 degrees vertically. They are often used for general lighting applications and can be used with a variety of bulb types, including standard A bulbs. Alternatively, halogen PAR bulbs are available for a whiter, brighter light that offers better beam control.
Reflector
Recessed downlights are a popular choice for residential lighting applications. They are easy to install, have a wide range of styles, and offer a clean look that is perfect for modern homes. They are also highly energy efficient and can reduce power costs by up to 50% compared to traditional incandescent downlights.
There are many trim options available for recessed downlights, but choosing the right one for your home is ultimately about function and aesthetic taste. Some trims are flangeless and fit flush to the surface, while others have a bevel or flat shape. Gimbal and wall wash trims pivot and rotate to direct downlight, making them ideal for accent walls or on sloped ceilings.
Baffle Trims
Baffle trims have a ribbed surface that traps and shapes the light from the bulb. They reduce glare and create a soft glow that is ideal for bedrooms, studies, and nurseries. They are also great for reducing eye strain, especially for those who spend a lot of time in these rooms.
Reflector Trims
Unlike baffle trims, reflector trims have a smooth surface that enhances the light output. They also work to reduce glare, making them ideal for living rooms and entryways.
They also improve lighting efficiency and provide a more uniform lighting output. They are often made of aluminum or stainless steel and come in a variety of finishes, including alzak, which is an anodizing process developed by Alcoa Aluminum that is very efficient at reflecting light without absorbing it.
They also come in a variety of sizes, including small ones that are ideal for spaces with 8′-0″ to 10′-0″ ceilings. These fixtures have a sleek profile that can be used in architecturally significant homes, and they can help reduce power expenses by up to 50% compared to traditional incandescent recessed downlights.
Baffle
The baffle of a recessed downlight is the part that directs the light from the bulb downward. This feature is a good option for lighting bedrooms, studies and nurseries where soft light is preferred. Moreover, this trim provides flicker-free illumination that helps in reducing eye strain.
Baffle trims have a ribbed interior that absorbs some of the light coming into the recessed fixture. This softens the Recessed Downlight overall output of the recessed light, thus making it ideal for tasks like reading or sewing. The trims come in black or white colors, which complement a variety of decors.
Reflector trims, on the other hand, don’t have ribbing inside. Instead, their polished metal interiors allow the full output of the recessed light to be directed to certain areas of a room. These fixtures are typically found in commercial settings and also used in homes when high ceilings make it difficult to maximize the amount of light entering the room.
These recessed cans work with both new construction and remodel applications, with both types incorporating a TP24 connector so you can easily add an LED downlight to your existing recessed can. They can secure to open framing with bar hangers (before you install drywall) or can attach to ceiling drywall and plaster with remodeling clips.
These recessed downlights are easy to install with a 13-inch feed wire between the light and external driver, a twist-lock connector, and spring clips. They also offer a range of 5 color temperatures for selection during installation so you can match the right LED downlight to your application. They’re fully dimmable so you can use them with a compatible dimmer. They’re ENERGY STAR rated and free of harmful mercury.
Adjustable
If you want a low-profile fixture that offers plenty of light coverage and can be used to illuminate a variety of spaces, recessed downlights are the way to go. These LED lights can provide bright illumination to your kitchen, bathroom, and other rooms without compromising on style or glare.
Recessed downlights are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some feature adjustable features such as height, pitch, and angle. These fixtures also allow users to choose their lighting color based on their design goals.
First, make sure that the recessed downlights you are buying are energy efficient. You can check for this by checking the wattage rating. In most cases, a wattage rating of 8 watts or 12 watts means that these lights are highly power-efficient.
Another important factor to look at when choosing a recessed downlight is the brightness output. In most cases, a higher brightness output of 800 to 1000 lumens will offer the best performance.
In addition, you should also check the color temperature of your recessed downlights. This is important because it allows you to select the right light for your space. A cool light is typically white or blue-white, while a warm one can be yellow or orange.
For added convenience, some recessed downlights allow you to adjust the light’s color by simply swiping a remote control or a smartphone. Some even sync with Alexa or Google Home, allowing you to control your lighting via voice commands.
These lights can be installed by anyone with basic carpentry experience and a little knowledge of electrical wiring. However, if you’re not familiar with the process or haven’t done any home renovations in a while, you should hire a licensed electrician to install them.
