I fall in the group that lighting tends to make or break a basement. I think the 6" cans will be fine in most areas for general lighting. But in addition, you should include some non-overhead lighting in your layout. Overhead lights tend to be pretty sterile feeling. I like sconces in a basement rec rooms, maybe some switched outlets for lamp lighting. I would add a decorative light above the mirror in the bathroom (not the std. bar of lights).

I've been trying to get some feedback off this site for about a month now. I guess everyone has Summer on their minds and/or don't want to think about the Winter. Anyway....Here's what I've got: I have a 2,000 square foot colonial and live in Northeast Massachusetts. I just purchased a Jotul C550 Rockland Fireplace Wood Insert which is rated for approximately 1,800 square feet - it's going to be installed on July 31st. The Jotul C450 Kennebunk and C350 Winterport are rated for approximately 1,600 & 1,300 square feet respectively. All the feedback I got on these models was very positive. The only drawback I kept hearing on the C450 Kennebunk was the fact that it had 2 doors to open/close as opposed to just one door on the C350 & C550 models. Many wood burning homeowners I've spoken to tell me that they burn about 3 cords of wood a season and most have home sizes similar to mine. Most burn all season long and use wood as their primary heat source. All have told me that when stoked properly there are at least ambers still glowing in morning. They place a couple of logs in the box and they are back in business. Hopefully this helps and someone will be along soon to answer your other questions. Good Luck!

Ok now I see that I have to lift the door out of frame. Grrrr. Half of the middle is stained with a poly stain so it's almost impossible to sand off to make even. Why didn't the Lowes installers explain this stuff to me. arrrrggg, -terri

My husband had a Pella door installed about 10 years ago. We have all kinds of weather here in STL, MO and the door is in mint condition. I can't comment on the series you're looking at my but I love our Pella door. I'm getting ready to get a bid on windows and will be looking at Pella and Anderson.