Advice for Adding Switched Ceiling Light Fixture in Bedroom

[Reborn]

I have one room in my house that does not have ceiling lights, and I'm tired of it. It has a switched outlet, so I see 2 options for running the wiring, and curious which would be preferred / less work. Let's assume I install a fixture in the ceiling at or near a joist in both scenarios. Note that I have no attic or overhead access at all - this is on the first floor and there is house above the room.

1.) Run wiring from switch to fixture

Behind the switch is a closet, so I can easily run up to the ceiling with negligible cosmetic concerns, no insulation, etc. From there, I need to cross 2 or 3 ceiling joists to get where I need.


2.) Run wiring from outlet to fixture.

The outlet is in the center of the room, so I don't have to cross any ceiling joists. However the outlet is on a wall that is shared with the garage, so between insulation and fire protection, it will be a hassle to get up to the ceiling. Once I'm there, I'm on easy street.


Curious how you all would do it, and if there are any preferences for either option as far as electrical safety goes.

 

[no704]

 

[Gozo]

My home is from the early 80’s and every room had switched outlets with the expectation of using floor lamps. As you said, that got old fast. Was in the same situation as you and went with option 2. The insulation was not a problem, but you can get around the fire stops (if any) with a few judicious pieces of removed drywall. Go through the fire stop, rather than notching. If you do notch, use a metal plate to protect the wire. Fire rated expanding foam to fill gaps. Drywall patches are easy after you’ve done a few. Overhead lighting changes the entire feel of a room.

 

[PCustoms]

Are you planning to run sure face mount?

 

[PCustoms]

I'd carefully cut 4 holes:

-hole for ceiling box
-hole in ceiling at wall edge
-hole in wall at ceiling adjacent to last hole
-hole at outlet

From the box hole in the ceiling, drill joists back to the wall/ceiling hole. Drill plate. Fish wire through ceiling, then fish down to the hole at the outlet. Install old work ceiling box, install light. Connect wire back at wall outlet.

3 spots of drywall repair, a little paint and done.

Sounds intimidating at first, but after doing a few rooms I got to the point where I could re-wire the room through a few 2x4 holes.

 

[walta]

Just break down cut whatever holes make installing the wires easy or dont do the job!

The supplies needed to patch drywall are cheap. Yes, it is tedious to apply and sand the 4 or 5 coats I need to make an invisible repair and you will need to repaint.

All the surface mount stuff just screams I am to lazy to do the job correctly.





Walta

 

[Reborn]

Thanks, but I want to put an old work box in and run a traditional light fixture.

Are you planning to run sure face mount?

No.

My home is from the early 80’s and every room had switched outlets with the expectation of using floor lamps. As you said, that got old fast. Was in the same situation as you and went with option 2. The insulation was not a problem, but you can get around the fire stops (if any) with a few judicious pieces of removed drywall. Go through the fire stop, rather than notching. If you do notch, use a metal plate to protect the wire. Fire rated expanding foam to fill gaps. Drywall patches are easy after you’ve done a few. Overhead lighting changes the entire feel of a room.

Thanks. I agree, seems easier than dealing with the ceiling joists. I would plan to go through the studs, not notch.

I'd carefully cut 4 holes:

-hole for ceiling box
-hole in ceiling at wall edge
-hole in wall at ceiling adjacent to last hole
-hole at outlet

From the box hole in the ceiling, drill joists back to the wall/ceiling hole. Drill plate. Fish wire through ceiling, then fish down to the hole at the outlet. Install old work ceiling box, install light. Connect wire back at wall outlet.

3 spots of drywall repair, a little paint and done.

Sounds intimidating at first, but after doing a few rooms I got to the point where I could re-wire the room through a few 2x4 holes.

Thanks, but this strategy would run along one joist, so i would just run the wire easily across. And I would need 1-2 extra holes for firestops along the wall. But this is 2 votes for this now, so I think I will go with this approach.

Just break down cut whatever holes make installing the wires easy or dont do the job!

The supplies needed to patch drywall are cheap. Yes, it is tedious to apply and sand the 4 or 5 coats I need to make an invisible repair and you will need to repaint.

All the surface mount stuff just screams I am to lazy to do the job correctly.





Walta

I'm not afraid of the holes - I need to make holes no matter what. I'm afraid of dealing with insulation vs. ceiling joists - which one is easier. I'm hearing that insulation is the easier option, and it's a straight shot/shorter run to boot. But yes, I'm looking to put in a proper light fixture.



All that said, do I need to worry about stapling the wiring to studs/joists? It's about a 4 foot run along a ceiling joist, and then a 6 foot run down the wall. The wall will have 2 firestops (that I'll route the wire though) for additional support.

 

[PCustoms]

Dealing with insulation and running parallel to joists will be easy.

Wires fished in as ren fo not require stapling to studs/joists.

 

[Reborn]

Dealing with insulation and running parallel to joists will be easy.

Wires fished in as ren fo not require stapling to studs/joists.

Perfect, thank you. I've got the plan set then!

Thanks everyone.

 

[PCustoms]

Perfect, thank you. I've got the plan set then!

Thanks everyone.

Try to run fish tape/rod along the junction of the sheetrock and the joists that'll help avoid snagging the insulation