Updating recessed lighting

[Kunze]

I have 12 recessed fixtures I am looking to convert to LED. I want to improve the look and not simply swap in LED flood lamp bulbs. I wanted to do the LED conversion that just screws into the bulb base and replaces the trim ring. However, I have a 7" can which seems to be the oddest size for these fixtures. I can only find 5" or 6" retrofit kits.

The only solution I can seem to come up with is to add a 8" Goof (oversized) ring and then add a 6" retrofit kit assuming I make the 6" kit stay up in the can.

Anyone else run into this and have better solution?

 

[Noltz]

Might sound silly but what about having some trim rings 3D printed. 7¼" OD and 6" ID, 1/8" thick. I printed a PLA flange for my furnace exhaust pipe where it passes through drywall, no problem with warping after a full winters use.

 

[yeldogt]

What's your idea of "improve" ?

If this is for a house interior.

If you currently have high quality recessed w/ recessed bulbs -- IMO it's best to just replace the bulbs w/ good directional LED bulbs and get the proper dimmer.

While the retrofits are getting better -- they are not very directional. Some of the best do have more of the light source back a bit .. but, they are still basically a surface fixture.

 

[bamawildcat]

Do you have access to the top of the can to be able to rip out the fixture and just use the raw opening to replace with a retrofit 8" light that clips into the drywall?

 

[kylet]

I just googled and it looks like they make tons of 7” lights.

 

[Kunze]

I just googled and it looks like they make tons of 7” lights.

the "7 inch lights" that I found will not fit in the 7" can. Basically what I find is they are 7" diameter to fit 5 and 6" cans. If you came across some others I would appreciate the links

 

[Kunze]

What's your idea of "improve" ?

If this is for a house interior.

If you currently have high quality recessed w/ recessed bulbs -- IMO it's best to just replace the bulbs w/ good directional LED bulbs and get the proper dimmer.

While the retrofits are getting better -- they are not very directional. Some of the best do have more of the light source back a bit .. but, they are still basically a surface fixture.

The current setup is in a kitchen and are from the 70's so they use the large flood lamp style bulb. I have used some LED replacement bulbs and was just looking to improve overall appearance of the fixtures

 

[Kunze]

Do you have access to the top of the can to be able to rip out the fixture and just use the raw opening to replace with a retrofit 8" light that clips into the drywall?

Unfortunately no access to the tops as the install in 1st floor of a 2 story.

 

[Git]

I recently upgrades some 4" fixtures in our kitchen to 6" wafer LED. It was actually pretty easy. I already had a hole saw for lights, so I made a jig out of 3/4" mdf - sized to just fit into the existing hole in the drywall, and then an outer ring of 1/4" hardboard that I could screw to the ceiling to hold it in place. Worked very well making the hole bigger and then at that point it was fairly easy to just remove the existing can and install a new one.

I personally like the 'wafer led' lights - I know yeltdog doesn't like him but I am not in his financial bracket

But anyways, something to think about

 

[cybrdyke]

Yep. Cut the hole out to fit 8" lights.
CD

 

[Ryan Wilke]

I recently upgrades some 4" fixtures in our kitchen to 6" wafer LED. It was actually pretty easy. I already had a hole saw for lights, so I made a jig out of 3/4" mdf - sized to just fit into the existing hole in the drywall, and then an outer ring of 1/4" hardboard that I could screw to the ceiling to hold it in place. Worked very well making the hole bigger and then at that point it was fairly easy to just remove the existing can and install a new one.

I personally like the 'wafer led' lights - I know yeltdog doesn't like him but I am not in his financial bracket

But anyways, something to think about

Git,
I am also a novice with lighting, but the wafer LED sound interesting. I´ll check them out too. Thanks!

Ryan

 

[smokey0810]

Our contractor just installed wafer LED's on our house when we converted a covered patio into a family room, and had the ceiling in the room next to it made "pretty" with drywall. They're pretty sweet, and you can actually change the color temp of the lights with a switch in the junction box. They work well, because you do not have to be too overly concerned about where 2x4's are located in the ceiling, due to being so thin. Brad with Fix This, Build That did a pretty decent video on installing them....

 

[yeldogt]

The current setup is in a kitchen and are from the 70's so they use the large flood lamp style bulb. I have used some LED replacement bulbs and was just looking to improve overall appearance of the fixtures

Do you know who makes them .... some can be switched out. I have older lightolier and with the proper led bulb and dimmer ... IMO they still look better than cheap new one. I agree on the cheap stuff from the 70's if the bulb is not recessed ... I don't like.

IMO the wafer as not very nice light .... like a surface lamp