Understanding the Basics Before Installing Recessed Lighting in Oakdale, CA

Installing recessed lighting in Oakdale, CA is a great way to introduce a certain ambience into a particular room. Before your installation, though, you will need to understand some of the basic options, and which one will match best with your home. Let’s take a look at some of the factors you’ll need to take into consideration as you’re getting started.

Trim sizes

While the specs of the light bulb will ultimately determine how much light will be available in an area, the type of trim or lighting fixture that you select will allow you to either accentuate or downplay lighting accordingly. Trim sizes can range anywhere from 3 to 8 inches in diameter, with the larger trims being able to produce broader spectrums of light. If your recessed lighting will be in a large area that needs more light, such as a hallway with tall ceilings or an outdoor space such as a patio, you will likely need to select a trim size that is on the higher end of the spectrum, so that the fixture can accommodate a larger bulb.

On the other hand, if you are using recessed lighting for a small area to cover shorter distances, such as at your desk in your home office or above a work area in your garage, you will probably be in the 4 to 6 inch range. While smaller trims aren’t able to house and produce as much light, they are typically preferred because the smaller the trim is, the less visible the light bulb and the entire recessed lighting feature will be, which results in a sleeker, more modern look.

Special considerations

Depending on the planned location for your recessed lighting installation, you might have to consider airtight (AT) or insulation compatible (IC) housing, or in some cases both. If the recessed lighting fixture you are using on a ceiling doesn’t have the AT designation, your heating and cooling might be slowly slipping past any gaps that might exist between the recessed lighting and the ceiling, or within the can itself.

If the area above the fixture is also a living space, such as additional bedrooms or a bathroom, then this energy escape will be harmless. But if the area above is an unused attic, your controlled air will simply be wasted needlessly, and you will be throwing money down the drain every month. If you have insulation in the ceilings and walls that the recessed lighting will be installed in, it is critical that you use only IC rated light cans, so as to eliminate any potential fire hazards.

These components will ultimately go hand in hand to help create the look that you want, and understanding your different options will help you select a style that both looks great and is the most efficient for your home. Call the staff at Wilkinson Electric Inc. for help with all of your trim and bulb questions, and learn how to get started on installing recessed lighting in Oakdale, CA.

Categorised in: Recessed Lighting

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