can lights

[ebstein]

I'm thinking of putting cans in my garage seeing that the ceiling ht is only 8'..anyone have any other thoughts? It's an existing detached that I'm redoing. the garage is 28*24..I was thinking of 3 rows of 5 since the garage doopr is on the 24' wall.

 

[ddawg16]

My garage is 20x25.
I have 16 lights arranged in 3 zones...Front of garage, Left Rear, and Right Rear...with 6 lights in each zone.

The zone layout works well for me. Right now I have 23W (75W equivilant) CFL's in them.

Right now I have a mix of softwhite and day light......I plan to replace the CFL's with a higher wattage and go all Day Light...the softwhite is too yellow for me...

Here is what mine look like...this is taken without a flash...

 

[cowboyjosh]

I like cans, if you can spread out the switching, if there is one ***** I hear after the fact is that all the lights are on just a switch or two. Also just to put it out there are some LED can light modules that are pretty kick *** that you might consider if your budget allows that throw tremendous light without the heat of incandescent or halogen and without the annoyances of CFL's such as cold weather starting issues, you won't be disappointed with the CREE LED's.
http://www.polar-ray.com/Cree-LR6C_p_2.html

 

[Frank]

I want to replace a couple of surface mount ceiling lights with recessed lighting but all the many kinds of cans are confusing. How do you know which ones are appropriate to use?

 

[ddawg16]

There are two kind of lights....new construction and old construction.....

The new construction lights would go in before you drywall....once drywall is up, you use old construction.

Within each type you also have two different types....Edison socket and pin style fluorescent. The edison will accept a standard incandescent or CFL bulb. The pin style will ONLY take a pin type fluorescent bulb...the ballast is built into the fixture.

That was one of the issues I had in my garage....it was 'supposed' to be the pin style only per code....reason being, if you use the Edison style, someone could go back and replace the CFL's with incandescents.....the inspector cut me some slack because I had all the cans filled with CFL's....and there was a lack in information telling me that it had to be that style of light....now I know....

Which reminds me....I need to talk to HD....they really need to put up a sign telling people that when buying those "new construction" cans that they need to make sure they are following code.

 

[djjsr]

If you have insulation above your ceiling, be sure to get the cans that are approved for it. I think they're called IC.

 

[z28toz06]

keep in mind also that they will take up the joist space where the insulation was. This will create a spot in the ceiling where heat will rise. if theres a roof above it you will see snowmelt where they are located. if the garage is under another floor of the house it wont be much of an issue. i wanted to use them because they are flush with the ceiling and you wont be banging them with borads, ladders, etc, but got talked out of them.

 

[Cargo]

The ones you can put in insulation are rated I C for Insulation Contact. IC cans are cheap. Trim rings (the part you see) are sold separately. Basic ones are not that much. Fancy ones are where the money comes in. Also, be sure to check code in your area for any limitations or requirements.
I say go for the recessed lights. I personally never liked lights where you can see the bulb. They always seem to shine in your eye when you are trying to see some fine detail or read.