How to Select the Housing for a Recessed Lighting Project

I recommend using the Lithonia Lighting Recessed Fixtures for any recessed application.  All Lithonia incandescent recessed downlights include a thermal protector that stops power to the fixture when the fixture becomes to hot.  This happens when the fixture is installed with a lamp that exceeds the rated maximum wattage. 

When choosing a recessed housing you must know a few things about your ceiling conditions. 

Different Ceiling Plenum Heights Use Different Recessed Housings

What Recessed Housing to Use for an Insulated Ceiling?

What Recessed Housings to use for Existing Ceilings?

What Type of Lamp Should I Use for My Recessed Lighting?

Light bulbs a.k.a. lamps are a very important factor in a recessed lighting layout plan.   Different light bulbs affect different light levels, color and recessed fixture spacing, which in turn could result in different moods.  In the end choosing the lamp is just as important as choosing the right recessed light fixture. 

Here are a few questions you should ask your self at this level of your recessed lighting layout.

• Do you want the room to feel warm and cozy?  Or Bright and efficient?
• Will the space in your project be for performing tasks, or will it be a relaxed space just needing light to walk through safely?
• Do you have artwork, statues or entry ways that need special lighting techniques to enphasize their presents.

Different Types of Light Bulbs and their Effects

NOTE: Lamp size is calculated by the number of 1/8 inch units across the widest part of the glass casing.  Example - A21 = 21 one-eighth-inch units across, which is (2-5/8" across)

Incandescent A-Lamps

• These lamps create a warm amber light with a good color rendition.  Light shines in all directions with this light bulb so this light should be used for general, ambient or wall washing applications.  A-Lamps work best with a reflector in the recessed trim.  A-Lamps can be used with a light dimmer to create a softer light.  Low bulb cost - .99 to $ 1.39
• Sizes = A15, A17, A19 (most Common) and A21
• Lamp Life = 750 to 1250 hours
• The A-Lamp is available in compact fluorescent energy saving lamps starting at $ 5.99 and has a lamp life of 7000 hours.  (compact fluorescent lamps can not be used with a light dimmer)

Incandescent BR and R lamps

• BR and R lamps create a warm amber light with a good color rendition.  A reflector is built-in to the lamp that directs light where needed.   BR and R lamps should be used for general, ambient, task, accent, grazing or wallwashing applications.  BR and R lamps can be used with a light dimmer to create a softer light.  Low bulb cost - $ 1.39 to $ 2.39
• Sizes = R20, BR30 and BR40
• Lamp Life = 1500 to 2000 hours
• The R and BR lamps are available in compact fluorescent energy saving lamps starting at $ 6.39 and have a lamp life of 7000 hours.  (compact fluorescent lamps can not be used with a light dimmer)

Halogen PAR lamps

• PAR lamps create a bright white light with true color rendition.  A reflector is built-in to the lamp for very good light beam control.   Halogen PAR lamps should be used for general, ambient, task, accent, grazing or wallwashing applications.  Halogen lamps can be used with a light dimmer to create a softer light.  High bulb cost - $ 4.39 to $ 8.39
• Sizes = PAR16, PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38
• Lamp Life = 3000 to 4000 hours

Low-Voltage Halogen lamps

• These lamps create a bright white light with true color rendition.  A reflector is built-in to the lamp for very good light beam control.  Low Voltage lamps have the best control of light output.  Low-Voltage lamps require a step down transformer from 120volts to 12 volts.  Low-Voltage lamps should be used for task, accent, grazing or wallwashing applications.  Low-Voltage lamps can be used special low-voltage light dimmers to create a softer light.  High bulb cost - $ 4.39 to $ 8.39 (fixture cost is usually a little more expensive as well)
• Sizes = MR16, AR11 and PAR36
• Lamp Life = 3000 to 4000 hours
• Low-Voltage Bi-pin halogen bulbs are available in LED energy saving lamps starting at $ 36.39 and have a lamp life of 40,000 hours.  

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL)

• CFLs consume up to 75% less energy than incandescent and halogen lamps.  CFLs create a cool white light with a low color rendition although, technologies on CFLs are improving to provide softer light and better color rendition.  Light shines in all directions with this light bulb so this light should be used for general, ambient or wallwashing applications unless you use the R Lamp type CFLs that include a built-in reflector.  CFLs work best with a reflector in the recessed trim.  High bulb cost - $ 3.99 to $ 8.39

• Styles = 2-pin, 4-pin, candelabra base and medium base

• Lamp Life = 7000 hours

Suggested Light Levels for Various Applications

General or Ambient Recessed Lighting Layout

Should use low to medium light levels (5 to 20 foot candles).  We Suggest using these lamps:

• A Lamps or BR30 lamps for ceilings 10' or lower
• BR40, PAR30 or PAR38 for ceilings 10' or higher
• Medium based R type CFLs (can not be used with a light dimmer)

With an 8 foot ceiling, space fixtures 3 feet from the walls and 6 to 7 feet apart in a balanced pattern.   With a 9 foot ceiling, space fixtures 3.5 feet from the walls and 7 to 8 feet apart in a balanced pattern.

My past post on lighting design software can assist you with a computer generated recessed lighting layout. 

Task Recessed Lighting Layout

Should use medium to high light levels (35 to 55 foot candles).  We Suggest using these lamps:

• PAR30 lamps for ceilings 10' or lower
• PAR38 for ceilings 10' or higher

With an 8 foot ceiling, space fixtures 3 feet apart, with a 10 foot ceiling, space fixtures 4 feet apart positioned over the edge of the work space to avoid shadowing. 

Accent Recessed Lighting Layout

Should 4 to 5 times more intense than the general or ambient light levels (60 to 100 foot candles).  We Suggest using these lamps:

• PAR30 or MR16 lamps for ceilings 10' or lower
• PAR38 or PAR36 for ceilings 10' or higher

With an 8 foot ceiling, space fixtures 18 - 24" from wall, with a 10 foot ceiling, space fixtures 30 - 36" from wall.   Light framed art and photos at a 30 degree angle from the suggested distance from the wall.  When lighting a free standing object use two lights from each side for a more dramatic appearance. 

 Wallwashing Recessed Lighting Layout

Should provide an even light level across wall with evenly spaced fixtures (35 to 55 foot candles).  We Suggest using these lamps:

• A19 lamps or Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Space fixtures 3 feet from the wall and 3 feet apart for even light distribution.  Washing a wall gives you the feeling of a larger room.

Grazing Recessed Lighting Layout

Should emphasize wall textures with a shadowed appearance (20 to 25 foot candles).  We Suggest using these lamps:

• BR30, PAR30 or CFL

Space fixtures 6 - 9" from the wall and 12 - 18" apart for even light distribution.  Grazing a brick, stone or heavy textured wall gives a deep shadow and light effect that will run down the vertical length of the wall.

These suggestions should assist you in understanding which light bulb you will want to use for your recessed downlight layout and you should know what type of light function you will want your recessed lighting to perform:  General, Task, Accent, Wallwash or Grazing

 All lighting function images and some research has been provided by American Lighting Association

How to Choose Recessed Lighting for your Home

Choosing recessed lighting for your home can be very difficult when done right.  In the next five posts I will go into great detail on selecting the right type of recessed downlighting for your space.  Recessed lighting can be a very effective light source yet literally unobtrusive.

What type of lighting function do you want to add to the space?

The first step in choosing recessed lighting is to figure out your lighting needs in the space you are working with.  The following definitions will be very useful. 

General or Ambient Lighting using Recessed Lighting

When you are trying to light a complete space you are usually performing general or ambient lighting with the recessed downlights that you choose.  This is done by installing the recessed lighting in a evenly balanced pattern in the ceiling to create uniform illumination.  Ceiling heights and the depth of the trim should be taken into consideration to produce glare-free lighting; I will share more of that information in another part of this series.  General lighting is best when used with a light dimmer.

General or Ambient Recessed Lighting is usually used in

• Living rooms
• Great Rooms
• Kitchens
• Bedrooms
• Foyers
• Hallways

Perform Task Lighting with Recessed Lighting

Task lighting is performed when you want to provide higher levels of light for activities such as food preparation, reading, grooming and many other specific tasks where increased light is needed.  These recessed fixtures should be centered uniformly over the work space.  The closer the recessed cans are the higher the light level of course.  General lighting is best when used with a light dimmer.

Recessed Task Lighting is usually used in

• Kitchens (over islands or food prep areas)
• Offices (over desks or bulletin boards)
• Bathrooms (to high light grooming spaces, showers and tubs)
• Bedrooms (used in reading spaces or sitting areas)

Accent Lighting is Easily Done with Recessed Downlights

Use a concentrated beam of light to high light specific objects or surfaces.  Accent lighting has the best effects when the object has a very high light level and the surrounding light levels are much lower.  Accent lighting is great when you want to high light wall hanging artwork, sculptures or entries.  General lighting is best when used with a light dimmer.

Accent Lighting is usually used in

• Dining Rooms (chandeliers and china)
• Living Rooms (Sculptures and artwork)
• Great Rooms (Sculptures, sitting areas, and artwork)
• Bedrooms (Special areas)

Wallwashing when using Recessed Lighting

Wall washing creates a uniform light on a wall to make that wall stand out and make the space seem expanded.  This is a unique lighting function that can be used to accent large areas, book cases and murals.  The recessed trims and housings should be evenly spaced 3 feet apart and 2 to 3 feet from the wall (depending on aperture size, explained later).  Specific wall washing trims should be used when performing this lighting function, (specified later) or a scalloped lighting effected will happen.

Recessed Wall washing is usually used in

• Living Rooms (wash specific walls to make the room seem larger)
• Great Rooms (wash a bookshelf or mural)
• Offices (wash a wall that has important info on it)
• Hallways (wash one or both walls for glare-free path lighting)

Grazing with Recessed Lighting

The Grazing lighting function is when recessed lighting is used to accent specific architectural features such as stone walls, heavy textured finishes and creative vertical surfaces.  Recessed fixtures should be spaced 2 to 3 feet apart and 6 to 9 inches from the wall.

Grazing is usually used on

• Fireplaces (to show the depth of the stone or brick)
• Exterior eaves (to graze the exterior texture of the home)