How To Install Recessed Lighting

A lot of homeowners have recessed lighting in one room or another. This style of lighting, embedded into the ceiling, was first used in the 1940’s. Recessed lighting, once installed, is able to concentrate on any area in whatever room the lights moved around to. The recessed lights can be used as a narrow spotlight or a wide floodlight. The best thing about installing recessed lights are: no cords are dangling, switches, lampshades or bulbs will obstruct the homeowners view.

Recessed lighting comes in three styles: fluorescent, halogen or incandescent lighting. If reducing energy costs is what a homeowner is seeking, fluorescent recessed lights will solve that problem. If a homeowner prefers halogen recessed lights, those bulbs come in low voltage varieties.

With all these features about recessed lighting, here now is how to install them in your home:


Hardware Needed to Install Recessed Lights

This is the hardware needed for installation: Stud Finder, Drywall Saw or Drill with attachment for cutting holes, Drill with a long bit, Wire Strippers, Safety Glasses, Voltage Meter, Screwdriver, Linesman Pliers, Eye Goggles, Pencil, Utility Knife and any hardware which came in the lighting kit. Before cutting into the ceiling, lay out all the hardware on the floor or a nearby table to see if all the parts are there.

Electrical Wires and Joists

With the stud finder and ladder, look for the joists. Joists are to be avoided when drilling the holes to install the light fixtures. To be sure no wires are cut, climb into the attic and locate the junction boxes. All that needs to be cut is the drywall.

Cover Furniture and Flooring

Because drilling taking place, place a drop clothe or large bedding sheet on nearby furniture and flooring. There will be drywall falling on furniture and flooring which can not be avoided. It is best to cover any furniture and flooring before drilling takes place.

Use Recessed Lighting Template

When the recessed lighting kit was purchased, a circular template should have been included as well. With a pencil and the template, trace a circle around the template where the holes will be cut. For cutting one hole, all thats needed is a utility knife as the drywall is not solid. For safety purposes, always wear the safety eye goggles. If the homeowner will be drilling more than one, to save money and time, use the hole cutting saw instead. When using the hole drilling saw, all that needs to be done is place a dot, with pencil, in center of hole saw where the fixtures will be installed.

Electrical Wiring

Once holes are cut into ceiling, the electrical wiring should be run from the power source into the switch box. Now the wiring needs to be run into the holes for the lighting fixtures. Be careful to not cut any wires when sending wiring through holes. It is best to use a drill with a long bit because this is a way to avoid cutting extra access holes. Take you time when doing this as it will not be wise to cut any wires.

Matching Wires

Now it is time to match the white wires with white wires, the black wires with black wires and the ground wires with the ground wires. To make sure wire caps do not come off, it is always necessary to cap off each wire and use electrical tape as well.

It is necessary to follow the recessed lighting directions found in the box, but if the homeowner needs more clarification, this article will help you out. When deciding to install recessed lighting, this process will take between 4 to 5 hours to complete. If the homeowner needs a friend to help them out, find a friend indeed.