Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [recessed-lighting]

For questions about [light] fixtures that are recessed into a building surface, usually a ceiling.

359 questions
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11 answers

Is there a way to unscrew a light bulb that has broken?

The recessed light in my bathroom broke while trying to unscrew it, and only the metal collar remains. What is the best way to get that remaining part out?
Mike Phillison
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How do I change a light bulb I can't grip?

We have two bulbs in our house that need replacing. They appear to be PAR38 bulbs. The bulbs are both in recessed sockets. There is not enough space between the bulb and the well to get fingers around. The bulbs are in too firmly to budge with what…
Shay Guy
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Do new wire runs in an existing ceiling need to be stapled down?

I've heard some people say that code requires wiring in the wall to be stapled to framing every so often (how often?), but when you are doing a remodel, is that necessary? I have a two story house, and would like to remove one standard dome light on…
JPhi1618
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What is the difference between R20 and PAR20 light bulbs?

Are R20 and PAR20 light bulbs interchangeable? In general, what do the R and PAR prefixes represent?
Meringros
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What is the device attached to my recessed light junction box?

This is a recessed light I pulled out of my ceiling. There is a black cylindrical thing attached to the junction box and wired in series with the live wire to the bulb base. What is it? The junction box and the black thing are both an integral…
jay613
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Is there a good rule of thumb for how many lights you need in a room?

I want to use ceiling recessed wall washers in a 13 ft by 24 ft room. Any advice on light spacing so I don't create dark spots? How far from the wall vs how far apart from each other should they be?
unusualhabit
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What exactly is a PAR type LED lamp, how does it differ from R/BR type LED & CFL lamps?

I am in the process of replacing my incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives. My home is about 14 years old, I've owned it for a little over three years. It seems most of the bulbs that it "came with" are original, and since I purchased…
jrista
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Why can the connections of a recessed light be buried in drywall, but not junction boxes?

I'm redoing lights in our kitchen and have to splice some lines. I have read numerous threads that all say you cannot bury the junction box in the drywall, it has to be accessible. The recessed lights I'm putting in all have a junction box attached…
Fuzz Evans
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How do I get my recessed light fixture flush?

I installed two new recessed LED light fixtures using 4" new construction IC housings. The problem is that both fixtures are not flush against the ceiling after installation, they are dipping down on one side 1/4" or so. Am I doing something…
dpollitt
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How can I install a recessed light container in an abnormally thick ceiling?

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…
macutan
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4 answers

Can I put a recessed light in a shower?

I am in Montgomery County, Maryland and I had a contractor tell me it's against code to put a recessed light in my shower. The shower is 3' X 3' X 7'1" (3 foot by 3 foot and the height is 7 feet 1 inch). Here are my questions: Can I put a recessed…
Dan B
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What does "new construction only" mean for Recessed Light Housing?

My basement ceiling is not yet covered with drywall. Does this mean I can use recessed light housing for new construction or does that require access from the top as well?
Peter Q
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Why was this lighting fixture smoking? What do I do about it?

When we moved in 3 years ago, we replaced the 12V MR-16 halogen lamps in two recessed fixtures in our ceiling with matching LED lamps. This evening I smelled electrical burning and wisps of smoke around one of them. Some investigation turned up…
MemoryWrangler
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Installing lights in drop ceiling - do I really need multiple contractors?

Sorry in advance for the basic question. I just need to replace my fluorescent lights with some flush mount or pot ones. The fluorescent lights are recessed in the drop ceiling and removal will leave a large hole that would need to be drywalled (?)…
Hannah
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How should I add lighting to a low ceiling basement?

I have a basement ceiling that's around 6'6" high and currently the lights are standard bulb outlets that are attached to the beams so they sit down at eye level in the room. This means when you're walking around you tend to accidentally back up…
XOPJ
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