skip to main content

Porches & Decks

Recessed porch lighting - X-post

14 years ago

We're redoing our porch ceiling (vinyl beadboard was run the length of the porch in 12ft sections just nailed to joist 16" OC so it sags). We're putting plywood up on the joists (hate to lower it 1/2" but carpenter says it's faster, easier, cheaper than blocking) and then reinstalling the vinyl cut to run front to back instead of side to side. While we're at it, I wanted to add recessed lighting. I got a contractor 6-pack, rated for damp locations. We have 48ft to cover, but the middle 8 ft is where the stairs/door/coach lights are, so I'm thinking 3 recessed lights to the left and 3 to the right, over the seating areas, none in the middle? The joists are 16" on center, so should be 36 of them though they may not be centered on the front door, but they should fall roughly 6ft 8in apart, and they are 6" cans. So about 6-7ft apart, depending on where the joists are (centered say at 7'1", 13'7", 20'3" from garage, then about a 6'10" gap, then start again on other side of the front door).

Maybe not the best pic, but shows the whole porch

{{gwi:1073102}}

I was thinking since it's 6ft 3in to the inside edge of the columns, we should put the lights about 3ft from the wall so centered (give or take 1.5") b/t the columns and the house? Or should we move them out toward the front edge a little more? How much? And finally, separate switch or can we tie them into the coach lights (easier)? Dh thinks there might be times when we'd want to turn on the coach light only, but I don't know if it's worth the hassle of fishing wire through insulation and rewiring a switch (I'd steal the one for the garage coach lights since we never turn on the garage lights from the front door, I want to put a switch in the mudroom for the garage lights, but it would be easier not to have to get the new lights run to the inside switch, just tie them into one of the exterior lights).

I have 12/2 Romex (and also 14/2 somewhere if I can find where DH put it). Says for interior use. That's what electrician put in our (full-soffited, uninsulated) garage, so would that be OK to use in the porch ceiling?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

2ajsmama
Original Author
14 years ago
Actually, someone on Home Dec brought this up and I rethought it. If we're putting up plywood backing anyway, why can't we just reinstall the vinyl running the same way it is now so no cutting no waste? All the neighbors (smaller porches) have it running the short way, but is there really a "right" way and a "wrong" way to run the grooves as long as it's supported and not wavy?
klabio
14 years ago
How funny. I could have written this. Same screw up except my vinyl bead runs as you described but on 24 inch centers over 1000 sq ft of a full wrap around porch. Unfortunately I have a rule that nothing gets redone before I complete some yet executed phases like the screen porch, finished basement, etc etc. so I am stuck looking at it for now and explaining it to everyone who comes to see the house.

You will want to rehang the short way. By going the long way you can't allow for the vinyl thermal expansion and contraction which contributes to your (& my!) sag. It gets very hot between you dark shingles and that porch ceiling. You may want to consider nailing up a radiant barrier before the plywood goes up and adding some venting. Or consider since you're nailing up plywood just get the painted beadboard plywood and be done with the vinyl. You can skip the venting in that case.

As to the recessed lights, I have them as well (wired with romex which will be fine as it is protected under the roof) I centered mine between my posts which are about 8 feet apart. The result is nice "pools of light" at night. I would suggest you include the one in the center and then use lower wattage bulbs in the coach light as accents. That's what I did.
Related Discussions
Recessed Can Lighting On Porch Anyone?
Q
Comments (5)
I have recessed lighting in several outdoor areas and love them. One of the areas is a sreened in lanai that leads to our covered deck. The other area is sort of an outdoor covered porch area that we built for our small dogs, and the third area is the ceiling above our front entryway. The recessed lighting is a good way to illuminate a large area like a porch. It would be a challenge to get the same level of lighting with wall mounted fixtures. If you have tall ceilings - make sure you put in large cans and enough of them. The largest area we have is 10' x 20' and it has a 12 foot ceiling. I used four six inch cans and have halogen flood lamps in them. Originally I had planned just 3 lights - then at the last minute added a fourth can. I am glad I did - 3 would not have been enough.
...See More
Please review kitchen lighting layout (X Post with Lighting)
Q
Comments (3)
Hi there. I'm by no means a lighting expert, but I can tell you my experience and hope you can benefit from my mistake. As a result of a hasty design and no research, I placed my 6" cans in the wrong spot along my cabinets. If you put the cans behind the counter - like yours are placed in the design, you will get shadows on your counter top...very annoying shadows. I then did some research and discovered that the proper placement for the counter lighting is such that the light is centered over the counter's edge. This does indeed eliminate the shadows. As for distance between cans, the simple plan would be to place your 6" cans, 6 feet apart; 4" cans, 4 feet apart, etc. This is for a standard ceiling. A taller ceiling can have them closer, but I don't know the specifics. This leads me to my next mistake which was to place the 6" cans too close together. My kitchen was too bright and I was never able to find the right combination of bulbs to satisfy my lighting needs. Upon this recent remodel, I did better research and I'm now using 4" cans spaced properly and at the right depth (from the wall out to the counter) and the first round of bulbs (standard 9 watt CFL/50 watt equiv) were perfect. HTH.
...See More
How many lumens per bulb in recessed lights on a porch?
Q
Comments (1)
I'd use A19 100w equivalent 1600 lumen leds. Home Depot has them for under $13 for two. Costco has 10/$40. A19 soft white
...See More
Add recessed lighting around light pendant in 12x12 dining nook?
Q
Comments (3)
Add four 4" recessed lights on a dimmer. Have your pendant on a dimmer too. I like to have different light sources and being able to adjust/dim them depending on what is going on.
...See More
2ajsmama
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks klabio - OMG I can't imagine a full wrap porch done like this. Would have helped if builder had actually nailed in flanges every 16" but he just snapped them together and face-nailed every 10-12ft!

We have to see if we can get more, not sure how short we'll be turning it 90 degrees. Have gable vent on end. Don't want to have to paint (well, have to paint door trim) that's why everything is vinyl so no painted V-groove. I looked at Homer's yesterday and nothing outdoor rated and rigid.

DH and I stood out there tonight and decided 5 cans, centered b/t columns (app. 9.5 ft) incl one in front of door, separate from coach lights, and on dimmer. Just trimmed out skirt and it looks better (finished!) already.

Related Stories

LIGHTING Get Your Home's Recessed Lighting Right

By Elements of Style

Learn the formula for how much light a room needs plus how to space downlights, use dimmers and more

BATHROOM DESIGN Should You Get a Recessed or Wall-Mounted Medicine Cabinet?

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Here’s what you need to know to pick the right bathroom medicine cabinet and get it installed

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Creative Salvaging in the Canadian Countryside

By Esther Hershcovich

Lighting from X-ray shades, a wine-barrel table, suitcases as props ... this couple repurposes with enthusiasm and style in equal measure

KITCHEN DESIGN Show Us Your Compact Kitchen

By Stacy Briscoe

Do you have a tiny kitchen that works well for you? Post your pictures in the Comments

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Breezy and Bug-Free Modern Porches

Screening keeps pests out of these diverse porches across the U.S., while thoughtful designs keep them visually appealing

BATHROOM DESIGN See the Clever Tricks That Opened Up This Master Bathroom

By Mitchell Parker

A recessed toilet paper holder and cabinets, diagonal large-format tiles, frameless glass and more helped maximize every inch of the space

STORAGE Tap Into Stud Space for More Wall Storage

It’s recess time. Look to hidden wall space to build a nook that’s both practical and appealing to the eye

KITCHEN DESIGN The 100-Square-Foot Kitchen: Farm Style With More Storage and Counters

By Mitchell Parker

See how a smart layout, smaller refrigerator and recessed storage maximize this tight space

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Detail a Kitchen Island with Legs

By KitchenLab Interiors

Turned, Square, Recessed or Flat? Find the Right Look for Your Island

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

Need Custom Railing Glass /Railing

1

Rubber Deck flooring suggestions

1

Decorate my front door! What color planters?

2

Adding character, interest and dimension to the front of house

6

Pergola Stain Ideas

0