Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [recessed-lighting]

For questions about [light] fixtures that are recessed into a building surface, usually a ceiling.

338 questions
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remove a recessed light can

i have old (late 1980's) recessed lighting. i cannot figure out how to remove the can. there are no springs,ears or anything i can see inside the can. the bulb holder is secured by 2 spring clips that fit into slots at the top of the can. the cover…
user59625
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Should I use remodel or new construction recessed fixtures when installing a new ceiling?

We have a stomped ceiling on the first floor in our new home (built in 1969) that we want to get rid of. Every contractor we've talked to says that scraping it off isn't an option because it's been painted over, so we are opting to install another…
Drewsonian
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What kind of bulb should I use for a recessed can?

I just installed a Halo 5" IC remodel recessed can with the 5000P open trim. I installed a 15W R30 CFL bulb, and it hangs down about an inch below the trim. Not very recessed! I have the trim configured properly for R30. I'd like a bulb that…
Boden
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Spacing for recessed lighting in bedroom

Tonight I'm installing recessed lighting in my bedroom and have a question on how to space the cans. The room is 12' x '12. How many cans should I put in the bedroom and how should I space them?
rodey
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PAR 38 LED in a PAR 30 recessed can

Can you use PAR 38 LED floods in a kitchen where the receptacle says only use 30 PAR maximum?
user28596
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What is drawback of smaller diameter recessed lights?

I am looking into installing recessed lights in an existing house. Because we have insulation in the attic, I am looking at IC rated, remodel housings. Here in the US, I am finding that the 5" and 6" diameter housings are the most common, but I tend…
avernet
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Is it possible for me to convert my downlights to normal lights?

So just bought a house and it's one of those newer houses where every frigging room has got halogen downlights. Seriously I've probably got about 30-40 of them all over the house. Not sure what the point of downlights are – is it just supposed to…
downer
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How do I install uninsulated halogen can lights?

I have some halogen can lights that just have a metal shell around them. The instructions say something like they need 3 inches of clearance. What is the best way to install these lights?
Homer
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Adding recessed lights to existing non-recessed lights

I have a living room/dining room area that each only have 1 light - see photo. The light over the table in controlled by its own switch, and the ceiling fan/light is controlled by another switch at another area. I would like to add some recessed…
Dexter
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why do my par 16 halogen lighbulbs keep exploding?

I have recessed ceiling lights that are rated to 75W. I use par 16 halogen reflector lightbulbs (sylvania brand), which are what was being used when i moved in. In the past 15 months, 6 different bulbs have failed. Two times, the actual filament…
D Pashman
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What did I do wrong when wiring a new light fixture?

I'm replacing a single overhead light in a bedroom with recessed lights. In the junction box for the light were other junctions that fed electricity to the outlets in the room. The wire that came from the wall switch was a 3 stranded wire that went…
doug
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How can I open an Elco EL39ICA housing?

I had recessed lights installed at my house a few years ago, using the Elco EL39ICA housings and Elco EL2688W trims. I love this trim because it looks extremely clean. However, as I've learnt recently after contacting the manufacturer, if you want…
avernet
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Why won't my recessed lights illuminate when they have power?

I recently installed 7 recessed can lights in my basement that are powered by 3 way light switches. After I hooked up the power to the 2 switches the first light in the series will illuminate but the others will not. I have tested each light…
Trent
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having to cycle switch to get fluorescent lights to come on

In our kitchen are 2 two fixtures that hold 4 48in tubes. There are two switches for these lights. We have to cycle the switch several times to get them to fully light. It does it with both switches. This doesn't happen every time. Maybe 50% of the…
Karen L. Brown
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Recessed lighting 10 x 10 Bedroom

I have a lake home that has a very small bedroom we are remodeling. Because of the room size the bed actually is located in one corner of the room. Currently have purchased four 4 inch recessed lights. As you might guess there is a recessed light…
DaveR
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