recessed lighting trims and housings
Recessed lighting fixtures involve two main elements: trims and housings.
Trims and Housings
Trims are the visible and decorative elements (aside from the lamps) of recessed lighting fixtures; housings, on the other hand, include what’s behind those visible elements of the trim (the electrical wiring and other components). In other words: a trim uses a “housing”…
The type of housing
Housings are available in a variety of depths and widths. Basic sizes are 4, 5 and 6-inches in diameter. Larger fixtures are used in tall entryways and two-story hallways. Smaller sizes work better in smaller spaces.
There are - for existing homes – special recessed lighting housings that can be clipped to the ceiling drywall (instead of being attached to supporting beams).
IC and Non-IC housings
Recessed fixtures in contact with insulation should be IC rated (IC stands for Insulated Contact).
If the housing isn’t in contact with cellulose or other insulation material, the recessed housing should be Non-IC. In this case, since the housing isn’t in contact with insulation, the heat from the lamp can more easily escape...
Line vs. low voltage housings
Most housings are either line or low voltage housings.
Line-voltage housings do not demand transformers (they operate with the standard 120V current) and are cheaper.
Low-voltage housings demand a 12V current (and a transformer to get it from the 120V current), are more expensive, but are also more energy-efficient and more cost-effective in the long-run.
Particularly important is the housing compatibility with newer fluorescent or LED bulbs. That will ensure you higher energy savings, which is particularly important whenever lamps are on for more than two hours per day…
Since incandescent lamps are being banned in EU and other countries, or are due to be phased out in most countries (2012 in USA), that is also a good reason to pay attention to the type and compatibility of recessed housings.
Fixed vs. adjustable trims
There are many variants of trims, but most belong to two typical styles:
- Fixed Down-Light trims, which can’t be rotated and pivoted; some down-lights encompass glass elements for decorative goals and are called, due to that reason, decorative down-lights.
Down-lights trims project a cone of light straight down. Good design lighting principles may demand the cones of light to overlap for maximum effect, which requires a proper distance between lights (See: Recessed Lighting Placement)
- Adjustable Eyeball Lights (also called Gimbals) trims are adjustable and largely used for task-lighting purposes and to highlight specific features, artwork and other objects.
Incandescent, halogen and Fluorescent and LED trims
Besides the traditional and very common incandescent and halogen trims, there are now fluorescent trims and also LED recessed retrofit trims.
You should consider the trade-off. Initial cheaper investment (in the case of incandescent and halogen trims) or an higher initial investment with energy savings and much longer bulbs lifespan.
See, for details: Recessed Lamps
See also:
Recessed Lighting Basics
Recessed Lighting Installation
Disadvantages of Recessed Lighting
Recessed Lighting Placement