I need to know what type of recessed can lights will work in a drop ceiling. I also would like to know how to install these lights. I'm having a hard time finding any good info on this. If someone could show me some pictures of this installation that would be great. I have not put up the drop ceiling yet. This is a basement HT with 7" tall joists.
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I need info on how to install recessed lights in a drop ceiling (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Dan_J_H.
- Start date
chuckg
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2004
- Messages
- 921
The friendly folks at Lowe's can show you examples in the store. I presume the folks at Home Depot could do so, also.
Jim Mcc
Senior HTF Member
It's really easy Dan. I bought my recessed lighting at Home Depot. They just get nailed or screwed into the sides of ceiling joists at the proper height. I installed them, then had an electrician do the hookups. If you want the light to wind up in the center of ceiling tile, you need to layout the ceiling tiles first. After they're up, you just need to cut the holes in ceiling tiles. When you see a fixture at the store, you'll see just how they mount.
Thanks guys, but,
The guy at Home Depot does'nt know his a$$ from a hole in the ground! He told me to not connect the fixture to the joists or grid, just set it on the top of the ceiling panel. This does not sound correct, is it? If I connected the fixture at the lowest part of the joist it still would be too high because the ceiling grid will be 3" to 4" below the joists.
My guess is, extend the 4 connectors to attach or rest on the support grid.
The guy at Home Depot does'nt know his a$$ from a hole in the ground! He told me to not connect the fixture to the joists or grid, just set it on the top of the ceiling panel. This does not sound correct, is it? If I connected the fixture at the lowest part of the joist it still would be too high because the ceiling grid will be 3" to 4" below the joists.
My guess is, extend the 4 connectors to attach or rest on the support grid.
chuckg
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2004
- Messages
- 921
Yesssss. that's why I prefer Lowes. Or "Louies" as I like to say.
Usually, lights for drop ceilings just span across the little "T" grid between the tiles and sit there. Nailing them to the ceiling joists first can result in mis-placed lights. Normally you run wire to a box NEAR where you want the light, and a short bit of flexible armored cable to the light itself. Some drop-ceiling lights just sort of clamp onto the ceiling tiles, but these can work loose and fall on your head. Not my preference.
If you can't find a knowledgeable person, just open a box and read the instructions for yourself!
Happy hanging.
Usually, lights for drop ceilings just span across the little "T" grid between the tiles and sit there. Nailing them to the ceiling joists first can result in mis-placed lights. Normally you run wire to a box NEAR where you want the light, and a short bit of flexible armored cable to the light itself. Some drop-ceiling lights just sort of clamp onto the ceiling tiles, but these can work loose and fall on your head. Not my preference.
If you can't find a knowledgeable person, just open a box and read the instructions for yourself!
Happy hanging.
ChefRalph
Auditioning
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2008
- Messages
- 1
- Real Name
- Ralph Plaggenburg
Dan,
I have the same problem you had... My can lights have the bars that all you would do is to nail them into place between the joist. This would install them 3" or so above the drop ceiling...How did you work around this...
Did I need to get special can lights for drop ceilings ?
I have the same problem you had... My can lights have the bars that all you would do is to nail them into place between the joist. This would install them 3" or so above the drop ceiling...How did you work around this...
Did I need to get special can lights for drop ceilings ?
Leo Kerr
Screenwriter
- Joined
- May 10, 1999
- Messages
- 1,698
To the guy from the Home Despot's credit, I've seen installations using a fairly rigid ceiling tile, where a trim-ring was cut into the tile, and the fixture just sat on the tile. These being low-voltage, they had a fair amount of "outside of the can" stuff that extended out beyond the edge of the hole.
On the other hand, I didn't have a whole lot of faith in them, even if they were installed in a public building that sees ~10,000,000 people/year come through the doors...
Leo
On the other hand, I didn't have a whole lot of faith in them, even if they were installed in a public building that sees ~10,000,000 people/year come through the doors...
Leo
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