Flush mounting a 4' T8 Recessed Troffer?

[sideways]

Recessed Troffer..is that redundant? No matter, I just bought a 4', 4 bulb T8 at Lowes for $34. I didn't realize it was a recessed light until I got home...I was looking at the price and wanted to bring one home to test how I would mount and wire it before buying more. Price wise it seems like a good deal compared to the comparable "wraps". I plan on putting a metal ceiling up and would like to know if anyone has ever flush mounted a troffer on a metal ceiling? My joists are 4' OC. I noticed slits on the side of the fixture and was concerned that light may shoot out of those slits giving a "funny" appearance and am thinking I may have to fame it in and am now wondering if that time and cost makes the light worth it...

 

[MrMark]

Do you have a model number for the troffer?

I don't know what a metal ceiling is??

They are usually for suspended ceilings. I want to install in a regular drywall ceiling. For that you have to install blocking.

 

[sideways]

Don't know what I was thinking tonight, I just checked the box and its a T12 - so, its going back. But, its a Cooper Lighting Metalux 2G440R. It probably doesn't matter.

 

[bobabuee]

ya thats what i have t8 4 bulb troffers from lowes get the commerical their
39.99 i have 6/ 2 rows of 3 mounted to celing in 20 x 25 bay and another
6 to go up my space is 39 x 25 i like alot light

 

[Chevy Gasser]

I don't have my pictures online yet but I just got the lights you describe. four element t-8. My ceiling is on 2' centers so it was easy to box mine. I will have a steel ceiling and the lights will be recessed. My lights are in and working and I just got done insulating today. I let my lights hang about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 below the rafters and ceiling joists. I have 10 fixtures in a 26x50 shop. They light the area very well. If you will have many lights you may want to buy the contractor quantity box of bulbs. I got 30 cool white bulbs for like $28 bucks or so. Less than a buck a bulb. They are about $3.50 each in a two pack. I outlined each light with J channel to dress up the tin butting up to the light.

 

[sideways]

That sounds good. I'll have to see how they fit length-wise between my joists - they're 4' apart. I was just going to screw some 2x4 supports on the inside of the joists and mount them flush on the steel ceiling - that keeps me from messing with cutting holes in the steel...which I'd probably not get straight anyway...but, I like the idea and the J-channel should make it look nice. I'll give that some thought...thanks..

 

[rkaiser58]

I have the same issue. I wanted the 4 bulb flush fixtures for my 24" on center trusses. The issue I am running into is that the 2 bulb fixtures come with the flange mounts for framing, where as the 4 bulb is assumed for drop ceilings.

Here are the ones I bought:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100180403/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=Lithonia Lighting 4-light&storeId=10051

This is the 2 bulb with the flange:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100249370/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=4 bulb fixture&storeId=10051

What I did notice is that the track clips to mount the 4 bulb fit well with 3'X1" metal framing strips. I am thinking about bending those to fit between the trusses, and clipping the lights on. The only Issue I see is finished height.

Let me know how you make out.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[zagamuffin]

Just reposting a question i added to my garage thread as it has pics of troffer lights ,i got these but cant recess,wonder if i should go std 8" tubes....


Got some 2 ft sq lights from a friend today, have two car bay 20x30 so question is how should I place them , have an 8ft double in each bay at present with two pennant lights hanging at the end at present
Pics of fittings

Interior , are these bulbs suitable

Seems like they have good reflectors

And without

Suggestions please

 

[SteveP1001]

I thought I would bring this back up, and see if I could get some advice.

I have a one story house with an attached garage. The attic above the garage is open to the attic of the house. I like the idea of recessed troffers but am curious if you guys think it might be against fire code to cut holes in the drywall for them. I am pouring through the local fire code but so far I can't find anything useful.

My other question is, does anyone know where to get lights like the ones in the link below that are IC rated. I have found evidence that they may exist but can't seem to find a place to buy them. Of course this may not matter if the installation holes are a fire hazard. Thanks.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...angId=-1&keyword=4 bulb fixture&storeId=10051

 

[MrMark]

As far as I know, fire rated wall or ceiling is ONLY for adjoining living spaces. Thus, if you only have an attic, no living space above, no fire rated ceiling in required. BTW, even if you have a fire rated ceiling, you can still do troffers. You just have to line the opening with 5/8 sheetrock.

 

[MrMark]

On the IC rating, it may exist, but I have not seen it. You need to keep the insulation away from the one linked. There was a thread on here as to how to do that.

 

[SteveP1001]

Thanks for the info MrMark.
I don't think my house has a fire rated ceiling as it was built in 1955, but I don't want to do any thing that would make it difficult to sell or dangerous. My understanding is that anything done in 1955 is fine as long as it complies with 1955 code. Anything I do now has to comply with current code. Looks like this should be fine. If not I will say its original.
I will keep searching for IC rated lights but probably need to find the thread about keeping the insulation off of them. The more I search, the more I think they don't exist, even though I have found mention of them.

Thanks,
Steve