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We are in the middle of our home remodeling and we have just noticed that our ceiling seems to be a bit thicker than what the maximum our recessed lights allow for.

As shown within the picture link below, our ceiling is comprised of different layers (of different thicknesses):

enter image description here

  1. Lower layer: (visible from the room) made out of sheetrock (5/8in thickness)
  2. Mid layer: Plaster (3/4in thickness)
  3. Top layer: Lath (1/8in thickness)

The recessed light container we are using has adjustable clips for different ceiling thicknesses although we have just noticed that our ceiling is too think so the clips would not really sit on top of the ceiling but rather create resistance on the hole.

enter image description here

My question here is if there is some sort of drill bit that, after drilling the initial hole diameter where the container is going to fit in, could expand the hole diameter above the lower layer of sheetrock.

enter image description here

Brad Mace
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macutan
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6 Answers6

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There is a category of power tool called a multi-tool that is basically a very small saw usefull in cutting in tight spaces.

multitool

After you cut the initial hole, this tool could be used to trim away the area in the uper section on an angle to make room for your retaining arms.

The tools come in corded and cordless version, and at various price points. The are very handy and can do other things, such as spot sanding and grinding.

bib
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Once you have the hole made, could you not break off the other layers with your hand or a small prying tool? You'd probably only need an extra 1/2" diameter outside of the hole for the cans clips to catch.

Or you could even just mark where the clips are and just chip away some layers at that exact location.

Steven
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  1. Cut the five inch hole all the way through.
  2. Cut the sheetrock back an additional inch.
  3. Create a plywood ring with outer diameter six inches and inner diameter three inches.
  4. Install that in the hole using three or four toggle-bolt anchors.
  5. Install your recessed fixture.

enter image description here

dbracey
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I just had the same problem when I tried to put in Halo cans. They are made for 5/8 thick ceilings max. My ceiling is 1 inch thick. Here is how I got mine to fit. Take out all the clips and flatten the end that contacts the ceiling in a vice. Now you will have about a half inch of the clip in the vice so just re-bend the clip and it will be shorter. Some of them were still real hard to clip in but I was able to go into my attic and pull on them while my wife pushed them from the bottom. You pull up on the clip till the point or top of the clip comes thought the can. We put in 10 cans this way and I think this might be easier than trying to cut out the ceiling. Its 100 in the attic but only 75 in my back yard. If you can get the right can, that would be the best.

E. Wolfe
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The cans you have are meant to go into a drywall ceiling and it's going to be very difficult to get them to work in your ceiling. You would have to dig a load of ceiling out to allow the arms to swing down, and you'd weaken your ceiling significantly doing so.

I'd say your best bet is to take those cans back and exchange them for ones that are designed to go into a ceiling such as yours, or install a different type of lighting system.

GdD
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Break the clips provided, by bending them repeatedly. Start with less then the distance your ceiling is thicker than 1/2". Now put a similar to original bend on the shortened clip as the original did, install per original directions dictate.

Richard
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