what size recessed lights are you using?

last month

Our plans make it difficult to distinguish between 4” and 6” recessed lights. I assumed we were having mostly 4”. I walked through this afternoon after the first day of the electricians on site and see a number of 6” recessed lights.

Trying to decide if I have them change them to 4”. I think that would be a better look. But how is the light output?

What is more common now?

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Comments (8)

seosmp
last month
I prefer 4” and went with 4” LED throughout….. lots of good choices with flexible temperature, smart bulbs, etc.
kj s
last month
We have 4s and are plenty bright. I wish I'd actually gone down in size in the kitchen.
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Whether a 5" looks better than a 6" is a matter of personal opinion. As for whether a 6" gives off more light, if they do use the same bulbs then msm is right that the light they give off was the same. If a 6" housing will take a bulb with a larger beam angle (or whatever you call it) than a 5" housing, then a 6" light would give you a bigger circle of light than a 5" housing. Recessed lights give off light in a cone shape and I assumed that you could use a bigger bulb with a 6" than with a 5" and then get a bigger light cone--but check with your lighting store to find out for sure that 5" and 6" use the same size bulbs because beam angle will be important if you are only using 4 lights in your room. I suggest that you find a vaulted ceiling that is the same height as yours (your builder might be able to help you with that) and see what you think of the size of the lights that they have and the amount of light that you get from them. Good luck!
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a lot depends on your room sizes and layouts. In a kitchen for example, a good way to light the space is to provide indirect lighting to illuminate the space, and then provide directional task lighting at the source, rather than on the top of your head. Take a typical L shape or U shape kitchen with an island. I like to install T5 linear lights above the upper cabinets installed on a slight angle to direct the light up and out into the kitchen. A continuous row will provide continuous lighting to illuminate the space with indirect lighting. With indirect lighting, you do not have shadowing. I then put a continuous strip of LED lighting under the cabinets at the furthest outer edge (away from the wall). This allows task lighting directly at the source; your hands and what you are working on, not to be shadowed by overhead cabinets, bodies, etc. Island and bar lighting I like to use hanging pendants, either LED or CFl loaded. Again, this gives source lighting. Over kitchen sinks, similar application. For general bedroom lighting, this can be done with a ceiling fan light (I personally love ceiling fans and the ability to spread air). But if a ceiling fan isnt your thing, then there are thousands of surface mount or "mini chandelier" style fixtures. Lamping is also another way to spread the light. Outlets can be broken to be switched. Sconce lighting in living rooms can provide dramatic effects and provide nice mood lighting at night. Can are not so big of an issue when installed in not attic spaces, or an unvented attic (attic that is spray foamed for example).
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See the link may help you:) http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main? ie=UTF8&asin=&isAmazonFulfilled=&isCBA=&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&orderID=&seller =A2X4NE86JUW3T Here is a link that might be useful: energy saving light
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Keep in mind those low voltage lights like Candace uses and are being recommended are 3 x's the cost of a regular 6" fixture. I can't tell you what to do, I can only tell you what I'm doing. I'm putting in 6" recessed lights to highlight art, wals, drapes and things of that sort so I'm putting in eyeball trim on all the fixtures that way I can direct the light. In reading this forum I've learned a little bit about the different types of light bulbs you can use that will actually change the light range, color, etc. without having to invest in the very expensive low voltage lights. For instance, instead of putting in low voltage lights to highlight the dining room table and fireplace, I'm going to use halogen PAR 30 lights with narrow beams which will offer a cleaner, brighter light to highlight those 2 areas so they will stand out. Also, I have dimmers on all my ressed lighting which I think is important to control the lighting for the specific task or mood you're trying to achieve. All of my recessed lighting will be for highlighting different objects and areas of the rooms. I know my plan is not the "best" plan, but it's one I can afford and I believe will serve my purpose. I have all white ceilings and all my recessed trim is white so it tends to dissappear. Also, remember you will have or should have other sources of light in your rooms, i.e., table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, chandeliiers and up lights. Good luck.
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MIRODEMI
last month
We need to see the room you want to use recessed lights in to give the right advice.
dan1888
last month
Bulb output in lumens is what you can look at. Also whether the beam pattern is narrow or wide spot or flood. In a kitchen you'll be interested in how much light the beam pattern allows to reach your counter, for example. These would be task lighting. 450 lumens at the counter is a recommendation minimum.Other lights can work as ambient lighting for room illumination. You can have lights to highlight a feature. Dimmers are recommended.
BW_TX
last month
We used 6” LED everywhere for primary lighting, and used 4” over sinks and fireplace. All on dimmers. if it’s a really small space perhaps 4” would work
3onthetree
last month
6" is the default recessed fixture that most builders and electricians will install. It is efficient cost-wise compared with installation (their concerns).

I'd expect them to be placed in certain areas or spacing based on that 6" size, so by just switching those existing locations to a 4" fixture may not be adequate. It just depends on the lighting concept you are trying to achieve with each space, and at the same time I also wouldn't expect a builder or electrician to have followed any.
JP Haus
last month
We have 4 inch LED wafer lights, most of which are the gimbal type so we can direct them as needed. I had 6 in. in our previous home, as well as in our temporary home, and prefer the 4 inch LED wafer lights. We did add a few more after selecting the other light fixtures.
theotherjaye
last month
We are doing 4” cans everywhere. Our previous home had no ceiling lights whatsoever (except in the kitchen, which we remodeled), so we own quite a lot of lamps.

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what size recessed lights are you using?

Comments (8)

seosmp

kj s

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MIRODEMI

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BW_TX

3onthetree

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