5 Easy Questions to Ask to Help You Choose Downlight Fixtures
These lighting decisions can have a major impact on the function and feel of your home
David Warfel
9 January 2019
Houzz Contributor. Expert lighting design specialist.
Recessed downlights serve as the backbone of many good lighting designs. When well-chosen and well-placed, these fixtures can all but disappear into the ceiling while providing exactly the right amount of light, right where you want it. When the wrong downlight fixtures are installed, however, the result can be a ceiling that looks like a block of Swiss cheese with glare-inducing spots. Before this happens to you, answer the following five questions to make a more informed choice with your interior designer.
1. How high is your ceiling?
Let’s start with an easy decision based on ceiling height. As a general rule, the higher the ceiling is, the larger the diameter of the downlight opening should be. A larger opening will allow more light to ‘push’ down to the room below. Downlights with built-in LEDs come in smaller-size openings than ever, but avoid going too small. While 1-inch (2.5-centimetre) diameter fixtures look streamlined and discrete, they should probably be reserved for built-in niches and cabinetry.
For a standard 2.4-metre to 3-metre ceiling, stick to fixtures with 2- to 3-inch (5- to 7.6-centimetre) openings. For 3.65-metre ceilings and higher, you may want to move up to fixtures with 3- to 4-inch (7.6- to 10.1- centimetre) openings. In most cases, due to stronger LED lights, 5- to 8-inch (12.7- to 20.3- centimetre) openings are no longer necessary. They make bigger holes in your ceiling and can create more glare.
Let’s start with an easy decision based on ceiling height. As a general rule, the higher the ceiling is, the larger the diameter of the downlight opening should be. A larger opening will allow more light to ‘push’ down to the room below. Downlights with built-in LEDs come in smaller-size openings than ever, but avoid going too small. While 1-inch (2.5-centimetre) diameter fixtures look streamlined and discrete, they should probably be reserved for built-in niches and cabinetry.
For a standard 2.4-metre to 3-metre ceiling, stick to fixtures with 2- to 3-inch (5- to 7.6-centimetre) openings. For 3.65-metre ceilings and higher, you may want to move up to fixtures with 3- to 4-inch (7.6- to 10.1- centimetre) openings. In most cases, due to stronger LED lights, 5- to 8-inch (12.7- to 20.3- centimetre) openings are no longer necessary. They make bigger holes in your ceiling and can create more glare.
2. What colour is your ceiling?
If your ceiling is white, this is a pretty easy question, since most downlights have a white flange, or flat ring on the ceiling that covers the rough edge of the ceiling cutout. However, if your ceiling features colourful paint, wood planking or metal panels, you’re going to want to switch up your downlight trim. A standard white downlight will look terrible on a beautiful blue ceiling like this one, so choose the colour and finish based on your ceiling material.
10 reasons to paint your ceiling daringly black
If your ceiling is white, this is a pretty easy question, since most downlights have a white flange, or flat ring on the ceiling that covers the rough edge of the ceiling cutout. However, if your ceiling features colourful paint, wood planking or metal panels, you’re going to want to switch up your downlight trim. A standard white downlight will look terrible on a beautiful blue ceiling like this one, so choose the colour and finish based on your ceiling material.
10 reasons to paint your ceiling daringly black
For wood ceilings, a bronze metal-flanged recessed fixture can look superb. For colourful painted ceilings, an easy and cost-effective way to minimise the look of the downlight is to buy a standard white trim and paint the flange to match. Trims are often available in metal finishes, which may coordinate nicely with metal ceiling panels in contemporary homes.
And of course, if your ceiling is white, the normal white flange will look best. Just remember, you may need to paint them with the exact white of your ceiling or the difference could be distracting.
You can also avoid this decision altogether by using new trimless recessed downlights. These require a special flange that is mudded into the ceiling, or a precision cut into wooden and metal ceilings. The higher installation cost of these can be a deal-breaker, but the finished look is as minimal as you can get.
You can also avoid this decision altogether by using new trimless recessed downlights. These require a special flange that is mudded into the ceiling, or a precision cut into wooden and metal ceilings. The higher installation cost of these can be a deal-breaker, but the finished look is as minimal as you can get.
3. What colour do you want inside the fixture?
The next step is to choose the inside of the trim that best suits your needs. From nickel reflectors to white baffles to frosted lenses, each choice will have an impact on how your ceiling looks during the night and during the day.
White
White stepped baffles catch some of the light and reflect it to make the fixture look brighter. They also look great during the day when they are off, as long as your ceiling is white.
Black
On the opposite end of the spectrum are black stepped baffles that disguise the light source. These can be great in a home theatre or a dark ceiling but will leave you with black spots across your ceiling during the daytime.
Nickel
In the happy middle are nickel reflectors that work great in most projects. They give off soft light at night while avoiding the dark spots of black baffles.
Frosted
Low-profile frosted downlights may appear the brightest, but that does not translate necessarily to good light where you need it. Frosted lights can often produce a lot of glare. Reserve these for closets and utility spaces.
Look for lighting designers and suppliers
The next step is to choose the inside of the trim that best suits your needs. From nickel reflectors to white baffles to frosted lenses, each choice will have an impact on how your ceiling looks during the night and during the day.
White
White stepped baffles catch some of the light and reflect it to make the fixture look brighter. They also look great during the day when they are off, as long as your ceiling is white.
Black
On the opposite end of the spectrum are black stepped baffles that disguise the light source. These can be great in a home theatre or a dark ceiling but will leave you with black spots across your ceiling during the daytime.
Nickel
In the happy middle are nickel reflectors that work great in most projects. They give off soft light at night while avoiding the dark spots of black baffles.
Frosted
Low-profile frosted downlights may appear the brightest, but that does not translate necessarily to good light where you need it. Frosted lights can often produce a lot of glare. Reserve these for closets and utility spaces.
Look for lighting designers and suppliers
4. What are you lighting?
The most important question is always this one: What are you trying to light?
Adjustable fixtures
Fixed (or non-adjustable) downlights are great for providing general illumination in a space. But for illuminating cabinets, counters, tables and reading areas, consider recessed adjustable downlights that allow you to focus the light where it’s most needed, such as on the decorative plate in this photo.
Wall wash trim
To illuminate art on walls, or in floor-to-ceiling built-ins, choose a downlight fixture with a wall wash trim that delivers smooth light up and down the wall.
The most important question is always this one: What are you trying to light?
Adjustable fixtures
Fixed (or non-adjustable) downlights are great for providing general illumination in a space. But for illuminating cabinets, counters, tables and reading areas, consider recessed adjustable downlights that allow you to focus the light where it’s most needed, such as on the decorative plate in this photo.
Wall wash trim
To illuminate art on walls, or in floor-to-ceiling built-ins, choose a downlight fixture with a wall wash trim that delivers smooth light up and down the wall.
5. What temperature light do you want?
If you are buying recessed downlights with built-in LEDs or buying LED bulbs, you will want to pay attention to the colour temperature of the bulb. In general, homes with lots of wood and classic details look best with bulbs that give off a warm light, such as 2700K LED bulbs.
If you are buying recessed downlights with built-in LEDs or buying LED bulbs, you will want to pay attention to the colour temperature of the bulb. In general, homes with lots of wood and classic details look best with bulbs that give off a warm light, such as 2700K LED bulbs.
Contemporary homes with crisp white walls, grey-washed wood and sleek lines may look better with cooler 3000K or even 3500K LED bulbs.
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8 Illuminating Things to Know About New Lighting Tech
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That is T@G roof deck - would hate to see holes put in it (in the old days it was old growth redwood) and then have a change of heart. MAYBE do a shallow, surface mount box and surface mount fixture with a bulb recessed into a tube with a swivel on the wall and wash the timbers. If it is old school roof deck it probably did not have insulation on it which would mean exposed conduit for power or rigid insulation on top of the deck to bore through. You MIGHT be able to run some very small LEDs with speaker wire and tuck the wire into the cracks between the decking or between the timber frame and the wall/ceiling. Look up Outwater Plastics for ideas - their display lighting.
Take your time and do it right - get a couple fixtures and try them before committing.
MAYBE track lighting with carefully picked heads.
Photos of the area would really help.
Photos would help, indeed. I would be happy to take a look. There are amazingly small units now that can do a great job of highlighting timbers without too much disruption to the architecture. Warm White (2700K) is probably best for wood timbers. Surface mounts by Beachside in copper could work, as could 2" recessed lights with bronze flanges and bronze cones. Another option for some timber frames is to place a strip of exterior tape on top of horizontal timbers, preferably in an aluminum housing or routed into the timber for concealment. This would uplight the remaining structure and be virtually invisible.
http://www.outwater.com/lg_display.cfm/catalog/2016_Master_Catalog/page/R-46
A place to start. The beauty of plug in 12 V systems is that you can install them your self and don't need conduit. I use plumber's foam rubber insulation tape or Gorilla clear or black tape (all very sticky if you clean the surface first) to hold the very small gauge wire in place (I use the smallest speaker wire available). The touch dimmers they have are nice too - $9/ea.
The roof assembly will make a big difference in the final solution - surface installation is probably the way to go though regardless. Even if it is possible fishing wire through insulation or ceiling cavities is challenging at best. Get a borescope if you are gong to attempt this and make sure there are no children around unless you want them to get an inappropriate vocabulary lesson.