Are can lights the same as recessed lights?

Can lights are recessed lights. They get their nickname from their housings, which are cylindrical, metal, and pretty much can-like. Can lights are often used where there isn't room for a hanging fixture or where highlighting or spotlighting room features is desired.

People also ask, what is the difference between can lights and recessed lights?

When making your decision, it is important to understand the differences between the two sources. General ceiling lights typically use incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs. With the combination of the low voltage bulbs and adjustable trims on the recessed cans, it is much easier to illuminate a room.

Likewise, what is recessed can lighting? A recessed light or downlight (also pot light in Canadian English, sometimes can light (for canister light) in American English) is a light fixture that is installed into a hollow opening in a ceiling.

Just so, are recessed lights out of style?

This is a major reason why recessed lighting will not go out of style. If you place and space the recessed lighting cans evenly and strategically, they will deliver the most even distribution of light. When you have a kitchen for example, you absolutely want an even distribution.

Are recessed lights more expensive?

Installation Costs - What to Expect In most cases, it is best to hire an electrician to install recessed lighting in your home. Some costs involved with the installation of pot lights are: Installing the lights - $100 to $200 by an electrician. Wiring the lights into the ceiling - $70 to $140 per light.

33 Related Question Answers Found

How many can lights for a 12x12 room?

The typical rule-of-thumb is 24" from each wall, and then 3-5 feet between cans. So in a 12' room you'd probably want two rows of lights. Considering it is a bedroom and you don't need it as bright as a kitchen, you can probably get away with 2 rows of 4 lights for a total of 8.

Do you need a permit to add recessed lights?

Some recessed lighting fixtures require special wiring and/or a transformer, so you must be at least somewhat familiar with the construction of your home. One final note: Many municipalities require you to pull a permit before installing recessed lighting. Take care of that before doing anything else.

Does recessed lighting add value to a house?

While recessed lighting doesn't actually add more square footage to a room, it blends into the ceiling line, making the room appear more spacious and open-concept. It instantly updates your home. Though recessed lighting isn't a new trend, it still makes your home look and feel more current.

How do you calculate recessed lighting?

To determine how far apart to space your recessed lights, divide the height of the ceiling by two. If a room has an 8 foot ceiling, you should space your recessed lights approximately 4 feet apart. If the ceiling is 10 feet, you'll want to put about 5 feet of space in between each fixture.

What is the best recessed lighting?

The 10 Best LED Recessed Lights on the Market

LED Recessed Lights	Wattage
Hyperikon Recessed LED Downlight	14W
Lithonia Lighting WF6 LED 30K Recessed Ceiling Light	13W
Globe Electric Recessed Lighting Kit Dimmable Downlight	7W
Sunco Lighting Baffle Recessed Retrofit Kit Dimmable LED Light	13W

Why is recessed lighting so popular?

Recessed lighting has become more popular over the last decade for a host of reasons, one of which is that recessed lighting makes a room feel bigger. This makes it especially popular in smaller rooms or any room that needs to feel more spacious.

Can LED bulbs be used in recessed lighting?

LED light bulbs and conventional recessed can lights are not always compatible. Some of the LED light bulbs used in halogen and incandescent recessed lights might cause a heat sensor inside the housing to trip your circuit breaker.

Should I use 4 inch or 6 inch recessed lights?

Size and Layering

Size recommendations say to place 4-inch lamps 4 feet apart and 6-inch lamps 6 feet apart. However, these are general guidelines. Smaller task or accent lighting using 2-inch or 3-inch lamps can work in conjunction with well-placed general recessed lighting.

How far should recessed lights be from wall?

Accent Lighting

If you plan to illuminate an entire wall or accent particular architectural features or pieces of art, the rule of thumb is to place your recessed light fixtures between 1.5 feet and 3 feet from the wall. If your fixtures are fixed, they should be placed a bit closer to the wall.

How do you update recessed lighting?

Grab your new retrofit LED recessed light and screw the adapter into the light bulb socket, exactly as you would screw in a light bulb. It's that easy! Inside the opening, find two metal clips. Squeeze the spring hinges on your LED light and insert them into the clips inside the old recessed can.

What size recessed light kitchen?

The common sizes for residential recessed light fixtures are 4" through 7" in diameter. One way to answer this question is by considering how far the ceiling is from where you want the light, and how big an area you want to light. In an 8' ceiling, a 4" fixture can work well to provide kitchen countertop lighting.

How far apart should 4 inch recessed lights be?

Also, the diameter of the bulb is consistent with how far the spacing should be: 4-inch bulbs should be 4 feet apart, 5-inch bulbs should be 5 feet apart, and 6-inch bulbs 6 feet. Overall, the wattage should range from 2 1/2 to 3 per square foot.

How many lights should be in a kitchen?

A common rule of thumb is that you use one recessed light for every 4 to 6 square feet of ceiling space. Doing so provides even, overall illumination. This is an important rule to keep in mind when you are going to rely exclusively on recessed ceiling lights to illuminate your kitchen.

What color light is best for kitchen?

Light Appearance = Kelvins

Soft white/warm white (2700 Kelvin): Best for bedrooms and living rooms; providing a traditional warm, cozy feel to them.
Bright white/cool white (4100 Kelvin): Best in kitchens, bathrooms or garages; giving rooms a whiter, more energetic feel.

When should I use recessed lighting?

Recessed lights have a low profile, making them the ideal choice for low ceilings, such as basements or attics, where a protruding light fixture might be unsuitable low. Recessed lights are also ideal for areas where waterproof fixtures are needed.

Does recessed lighting use more electricity?

Recessed lights remain the fixture of choice for overhead lighting. Some are more energy efficient than others. Efficient options can use 80 percent less electricity than ones that provide the same light and about the same appearance. All use fluorescent light sources instead of incandescent bulbs.

How does recessed lighting work?

Reach through the recessed light holes to drill through joists that aren't accessible from the slot in the ceiling. To power your new can lights, find an existing receptacle or switch box that contains a “hot” wire on a suitable circuit.