How To Install Recessed Lighting

If you want a classy way to brighten a dark room

, try recessed lighting. Recessed lights are inconspicuous and uncluttered and do a terrific job of providing light for the whole room or merely accentuating a piece of art. Installing recessed lighting is not hard, and there's a good chance that you can do the whole project yourself. Here's what you need to know before you begin and what steps to take once you do.

How do you decide if you can install the fixtures yourself or if you need the help a professional? If you have dropped ceilings or access from the attic, the job will be straightforward. If you don't have access, you can use "cut-in cans" to install the lights from below; they're safe to use with insulation. So while ceiling access shouldn't deter your ability to install the lights, the one factor that might is your proximity to a power source. An existing ceiling box makes the job a cinch--just disconnect the wires and reattach them to the can. If there's no electrical outlet, however, you will probably want to hire a licensed electrician to run the wires. A note about safety: be sure to purchase an insulation-contact rated light fixture and, if you run cable to a new junction box, to leave the box uncovered and easily accessible.

Now for the actual installation. After turning off the power, use a stud finder to pinpoint the ceiling joists. Between the joists, trace the fixture's outline on the ceiling, and use a drywall saw (or circle cutter) to cut an opening where you've traced. Watch out for cables in the ceiling! Insert the electrical cable in the junction box, and hold it in place with a cable clamp. Strip and splice the wires to the fixture wires with twist-on connectors: black to black, white to white, ground to ground. Pack the wires in the box, and secure the cover.

Pivot the fixture housing until the mounting tabs securely lock onto the ceiling. Don't worry about attaching it or the junction box to a joist--they're both light enough to rest in the ceiling. Next attach the baffle and trim to the housing with springs. Finally, screw in the bulb and turn on the lights! If you're using the recessed lighting fixtures to light up the whole room, repeat the process, installing one fixture per twenty-five square feet of floor.

Installing recessed lighting is a great way to change the look of a room, and it's something that can be done in an afternoon.

by: Art Gib

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