Recess Lighting Guide and Application

This is a guide to help plan recess lighting for your home projects. Remember basic goals are circulation and function. Recess will give the impression of ceiling height. It also gives a cleaner and less obtrusive look. They will not clash or interfere with decorating designs. Using dimmer switches will help give a layering effect and sets the bases of illumination of an area. This will give general task brighter concentration of illumination, or a more romantic ambient mood.

Choosing the correct recess trims is equally important. If you walk into a house that has only standard white baffles you instantly know that no options were pointed out to the home owner, your eye is immediately drawn to the illuminated ceiling. The homeowner is unaware of what could be accomplished by using a more appropriate trim and bulb.

Using dimmers are a great layering tool, it helps create a mood of ambiance and relaxation. Be sure to specify the type of fixture that are being used, low voltage fixtures will need a compatible dimmer.

For general illumination, depending on size of room and how it's layed out, you want your recess fixtures 6' apart. Place fixture between 12" to 18" from wall to begin, This will help prevent light scalloping on the walls. Try keeping fixtures as uniformed as possible. If room size works out more than 7' apart so be it. Uniform!

A 6" fixture will give approxiately a 6' beam spread, pushing down more illumination to where the illumination is needed.

FOR 10' OR HIGHER CEILINGS, narrow halogen Par bulbs will provide you with a more concentrated beam, giving a more effective uniform illumination for the area. Using narrow beams for higher ceilings, will help focus the beam spread down providing excellent coverage for critical task areas. While flood halogen bulbs will give a wider spacing and a more general illumination of the area.

For more information on using transformers and low voltage check recess housing To research recess fixtures on the web click here.

FOR TIPS on TYPES of BULBS for RECESS

Standard A bulbs or reflector bulbs have a tendency to hum when they are dimmed. While Par bulbs have a thicker glass to keep the humming to a minimum. Using standard A incandescent bulbs in your recess fixtures is not recommended. The light and heat gets trapped inside causing over heating of socket and fixture. Instead use reflectors or indoor halogen Par bulbs will help force the heat and light down and out.

Keep in mind by placing recess downlights in close proximity too a ceiling fan will have a tendency to vibrate the bulbs, making their filments burn out quicker. The fan also will create a strob effect if placed to close to the blades.

To illuminate a room properly the room first needs a uniform light that let the eye scan from one end to the other without interruption. Make a combination of layering effects and wall washing will help create the illusion of ceiling height and expand the area.

Then concentrate on highlighting focal points. Hang pictures 2 to 3 inches higher than eye level to draw the eye upward then use indirect lighting to illuminate the ceiling making the room look larger.

BY INCORPORATING RECESS along with your decorative fixtures through out your home will give a more visual impact and layering. Giving you a more professional look.

PLACEMENT of RECESS FIXTURES by focusing over task areas is critical in providing supplemental illumination for performing tasks efficiently and safely. By centering recess over serving areas or dining tables will highlight the area, providing additional illumination. If you add a dimmer you can control the illumination. From setting a low soothing ambiance mood to enlighting for critical task work areas.

TASK AREAS of counter or work surfaces the recess fixtures should be centered on front edge of the counter. This will help avoid casting shadows and minimize reflections on flat surfaces and paper task areas. In kitchens cabinets are 24" deep so if you have an open shelf above then bring fixtures out 23' from back wall. If cabinets above go all the way up to the bulkhead, it will be more like 21" to 22" so light will graze down in front to the work surface below.

When you are illuminating areas for bathrooms and computer task areas place recess fixtures in front of people so as not to cast unnatural shadows. In bathroom areas using harsh bulbs tend to throw shadows making it difficult to shave or put make-up on. Whenever possible add lighting from a diffused source such as wall sconces. This also helps layer and fill your area with illumination.

BY ACCENTING the walls you will get a feeling of pools of light on objects, ceiling and floors. Providing a more interesting visual appearance. Emphasize focal points will add visual interest. It can enhance the richness of natural wood, highlight a unique centerpiece, supplement or replace lighting from a decorative chandelier. Focus on artwork or collectibles along the perimeter of the room. Then by filling in with general illumination will give a noticeable visual impact.

Illumination of VERTICAL SURFACES such as fireplaces, walls and bookcases can expand the size of the room and highlight architectual designs or art work. By illuminating vertical surfaces you can impact the space by reflections off walls, creating a bright spacious feel, adding visual interest to the space. Uniform illumination on walls makes hallways feel wider and calls attention to wall hangings.

FLAT ART is ideally illuminated by a source striking its surfaces at a 30 degree angle. This will eliminate glare from bouncing into viewers eyes and prevent the casting of shadows. The aiming point is usually a third of the way down from the top of the picture or object you want to emphasize.

WALL WASHING is usually spaced equally to the set back distance of the wall. Closer spacing will give higher level of illumination and be more uniform. If you place fixture farther away it will illuminate a wider area and expand the space. By illuminationg the outer areas of the room with indirect lighting such as wall sconces, creates a fill layering effect.

GRAZING can achieve texturing of surfaces such as brick or stucco walls. Highlight areas to expand and enlarge rooms giving them more depth and interest. Beware: Grazing on smooth surfaces tend to magnify imperfections where wall washing has the effect of making textured surfaces flattening out. Place fixtures for grazing 6" to 12" from wall giving depth and deminsion to the area.

Usually grazing fixtures are placed 6" to 12" from wall. Using 12 volt halogen bulbs are a good choice for grazing because they have a more controlled lenses and reflector optical system. They are well suited for higher level ambient illumination and accent lighting.

To give objects a three dimensional form and texturing use a hard accent light to create shadows and to highlight an object. Then fill in with a softer light from opposite sides of the object. This not only softens shadows but objects will appear more natural. Using 12 volt MR16 bulbs is a good choice because they are small and have a variety of precisely controlled, intense beam spreads.

For more information on lighting with recess search here or to learn about Transformers & Low Voltage click here.