Kitchen Recessed Lighting Questions
1. Where do I locate the recessed downlights in our new kitchen?
  Your cabinet layout, ceiling height, the type of recessed lighting fixture and its light source can make a difference in placement.
2. What do I need to know about recessed lighting before I go the the lighting store?
  It is important to know the ceiling construction type and its joist height before you order your lighting fixtures.
3. If only one wall in my kitchen has overhead cabinets, where should I locate my recessed lighting?
  The best task light for your countertop comes from in front of you.
4. What do I need to know about light and lighting before I do a recessed layout?
  You need to know these six light truisms about light patterning and the placement of your recessed light fixtures.
5. What are different types of recessed lighting?
  There are 4 types of recessed lighting you need to know about when planning your kitchen lighting layout.Your choice determines the kind of light you will get.
6. How far apart do we space our recessed lighting?
  Your kitchen layout, what surface you’re lighting, and the kind of lighting pattern you want to see determines the spacing between recessed housings.
7. Why do I have bright spots of light on my upper cabinet from my recessed lighting.
  Recessed lighting placed too close to the upper cabinets will produce harsh scallops of light.
8. What type of recessed lighting should I consider? I have a low ceiling and the upper cabinets go right up to the ceiling.
  For low ceiling rooms, favor small aperture recessed lighting fixtures for your kitchen lighting layout.
9. Do we need to install recessed lighting over our counters if we have under the cabinet lights?

We are installing under cabinet lighting under cherry cabinets/ granite counters and 2 pendants over a small island.

  Your kitchen lighting plan needs at least two layers of light. So far, you’ve planned only for countertop task lighting and nothing ....
10. The hood over my cook top has two lights in it. Do I need a recessed light over the hood as well?
  Not necessarily. You don’t need a recessed light to do cooking tasks because you have two task lights already installed in your hood. But you may want to light the hood! Some cautions to know about:
11. We had hoped to put in a recessed downlight centered over our kitchen sink, but can't because there is a rafter in the way. There is no way to recess a fixture. Any suggestions?
  Since the rafter is structural and supports your roofing, you will need to use the free cavity to each side of it for your recessed lighting.
12. If the preferred location for recessed lights is at the leading edge of the countertop does that mean the center of the light fixture or the outer edge?
  The “rule of thumb” is center of the recessed fixture. This will light the upper cabinet as well as skim the light across the lower cabinet.
13. There are three recessed lights over my center island. Is it possible to use something else? I want to change them. I'd rather use three glass pendants lights.
  What you really want to do is to change from Recessed Lighting to Monopoint Lighting. Some installed recessed lights are adaptable to other types of lighting fixtures but it depends on the manufacturer.
14. I have a kitchen addition. The section in the old house has an existing ceiling and our contractor is going to blow in insulation. The addition is all new. I want all my recessed fixtures to look the same. Can I use recessed lighting?
  Yes. It is important to know the ceiling construction type and its joist height before you order the housings.
15. What causes dark shadows on the upper part of the cabinet door?

I have recessed adjustable downlights located two feet out from my upper cabinets. Even though the lights are tilted toward the cabinets, there is a sharp dark shadow on the upper part of the cabinet doors.

  You are experiencing “cut off” because of the angle limitations of the gimbal ring within the recessed adjustable light fixture.
16. Is there a “Rule of Thumb” about how far apart to space recessed lighting for kitchens?
  Avoid the grid pattern of recessed lights on your ceiling.
17. How far apart do we install recessed lighting over a 5’ - 0” by 2’ - 6" center island with cooktop?
  A recessed lighting layout answer for your center island stovetop tasks.
18. How do I light my stovetop? I don't have a hood over it.
  If you don't have hood lighting, use two recessed adjustable downlight fixtures.
19. Do we need to install a recessed light over the range if we have a microwave with a light over the range as well?
  It’s possible to skip this location for a recessed fixture on your lighting layout.
20. Should I install new construction IC recessed lighting housings or old work IC recessed lighting? I can get access to the attic.
  Since you have your ceiling in place, you would favor installing remodel IC recessed lighting.
21. Can all my recessed light fixtures use the same bulb shape, size and wattage?
  Yes, especially when using fluorescent light sources and pin based lamps.
22. What type of recessed light fixture do I use for artwork?
  The type of recessed lighting fixture you install will effect the type of lighting pattern you get on your painting or artwork.
 

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