4, 5, or 6 inch lights?

[mustangmike6996]

I am currently remodeling my basement. I have 7 fool ceilings that are bare and 4 foot florescent fixtures that are too bright and will be replaced.

I would like to do round can lights. The joists are 2x6s so I think I would have to do a recessed/short can.

I am torn between what kind of fixture/trim/bulb combo to use.

The 4 inch seem nice because of the low ceiling height but are harder to find parts for. The 5 might be ideal due to this. The 6 inch seems just a bit too big but might work.

I am in the air about adding a dimmer (the only components on the circuit are the lights)

The area I will be doing is about 20x25 feet. I figure that I will need about 18 lights. 3 feet from any wall and spaced 3.5 feet apart from each other.

I have a friend who swears by the LED upgrade or retrofit kit. If I find them on sale they are about $15-20 each or $25-30 normal price. Plus the can, $15-20 bare (needs trim and bulb)


LED fixtures are about $50 each new

Can Fixture plus the LED retrofit is $35-40 each (maybe a bit more)

Can fixture plus the trim and flood bulb is $30 each

Can fixture plus trim and LED bulb is $40 each

What other options do I have?

Am I thinking correctly?

 

[southjersey]

I prefer the smaller lights , these aren't l.e.d. But for the money they can't be beat.


http://www.lowes.com/pd_16059-47842-105851-028_1z0vgcsZ1z0y54u__?productId=3014681&pl=1

 

[cybrdyke]

6" cans cost a contractor around $8. LED BR30 bulbs are less than $10 each.

whatever direction you decide to go, get the widest beam angle that you can find from the light. Anything less than 120 will put pools of light on your floor from that low ceiling height. Worse, it makes things really contrast-y and weird looking. In fact, I wouldn't recommend ceiling fixtures at all. But, if you decide to go that route, there are very slim LED fixtures that mount to 4 square or octagon boxes. You could also go low voltage and not have to fuss around with cans at all.
CD

 

[mustangmike6996]

I prefer the smaller lights , these aren't l.e.d. But for the money they can't be beat.


http://www.lowes.com/pd_16059-47842-105851-028_1z0vgcsZ1z0y54u__?productId=3014681&pl=1

How would those attach to the ceiling?

6" cans cost a contractor around $8. LED BR30 bulbs are less than $10 each.

whatever direction you decide to go, get the widest beam angle that you can find from the light. Anything less than 120 will put pools of light on your floor from that low ceiling height. Worse, it makes things really contrast-y and weird looking. In fact, I wouldn't recommend ceiling fixtures at all. But, if you decide to go that route, there are very slim LED fixtures that mount to 4 square or octagon boxes. You could also go low voltage and not have to fuss around with cans at all.
CD

I think the can lights would be better for lounging in the basement than the other alternatives. I will look into the angles though

 

[southjersey]

How would those attach to the ceiling?



I think the can lights would be better for lounging in the basement than the other alternatives. I will look into the angles though

i was assuming you have a Sheetrock ceiling , cut small hole and fixture slips right in and clamps to the Sheetrock.

 

[mustangmike6996]

i was assuming you have a Sheetrock ceiling , cut small hole and fixture slips right in and clamps to the Sheetrock.

Ah, yea that's what I thought.

I will be keeping the ceiling bare

 

[finn]

I doubt that your joists are 2"X6"

 

[purplezr2]

Am I missing something I see 6" cans at HD for 36/case of 6 that works out to be about 6 bucks each.

 

[cybrdyke]

These are available in a few different sizes and in round or square...

http://www.lightingproducts.philips...ier-usa/slimsurface-led-downlight-c025e1.html

They mount to a 4 square box. Not horribly expensive.

 

[Mustang51js]

6 inch shallow hi hats with led trims. You can get led trims at Home Depot now for $12

 

[Dragster Racer]

I am putting 4" cans in my basement now. 8' ceilings for me. I end up with a lot of fixtures, and they are more expensive than the 6". But it spreads your light out more evenly. Plus, you can put a dimmer in and cut back on the amount of light. Not the cheapest option, but one that I am liking.
I am using the IC fixtures, but I will be adding insulation to keep noise tranference down.

 

[Falcon67]

I just went through this deal for the kitchen and the laundry room. I used 6" Halo IC rated cans. Bought at HD but also carried by Lowes. The 6" can have way more options for trim than the others IMHO. They are also "better quality" than the cheaper Commercial cans - but that's not saying much as there is more metal in a Coors beer can IMHO. FWIW I ended up with the cutter set at about 6 1/8" s and used a body filler file to adjust the holes for a decent fit. The cans and the 300P trim work perfect with BR30 LED bulbs. We like the 5000K EcoSmart bulbs, about $10/each.

 

[Dustball]

There is an option of going with regular ceiling junction boxes and surface mount LED retrofits.

$35 ea- http://www.menards.com/main/p-1444431956833-c-7482.htm?tid=8187413177717724914

Menards has a bag sale right now for 15% off.

 

[coffdaddy]

We sell these for $24.50 http://rplighting.com/LED/8556.html