What caulking to seal around can lighting? (1 Viewer)

[Tom Kay]

Hi Folks;

I have several 50 watt halogen bulbs mounted in insulated cans on my HT ceiling. All of the cans have a flanged circle where the round cover goes (that's also the part that holds the little halogen light bulb.)

I want to bring drywall right up to the surface of the insulated cans, but I want to have a good acoustic seal, so sound doesn't leak through. I was thinking of running a bead of caulking around the outside of the flanged metal circle to act as a simple seal or gasket between my drywall and can. But things can get pretty hot in that area.

Any thoughts on a good heat resistant, fire proof caulking?
Does acoustic caulking also resist burning?

One of these days I'll have to post pictures of my HT. It's not done, but I can finally say that it's progressing well, and will be useable soon.

Thanks, Tom.

 

[Dave Poehlman]

They do make heat resistant caulk (example) good up to 500°. Check with a local fireplace shop if you can't find it at your local Home Depot or Lowe's.

Caulking around the light seems a little overkill to me.. I don't believe the cans themselves are airtight anyway.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your theater, Tom!

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

No kidding. If you have airtight cans I’d like to know where you got them, ‘cause I want some.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[anth_c]

They do make air tight cans, for energy efficiency I imagine...but I don't know exactly how air tight they are.

http://www.pegasusassociates.com/5in...sPNHRIC504.jsp

A person on a home building forum recommends the air tight cans to prevent dust and insulation infiltration from the attic.

 

[Megan T]

I had just put up the drywall (by myself) and what a crappy job. I need to know should I put chaulking in the gap of the pot lights or should I cake the drywall in. Does chauking or excessive putty expand with heat?

 

[Jay Mitchosky]

It will anyway - those pots will offer no sound protection. The benefit of caulking here will be to dampen vibrations. That's it. I may have to do the same thing in my room when it's complete.

 

[Richard Beckman]

Available cans include "air tight", "insulation contact (permitted)" and cans that should not have insulation nearby (approximately 8 inches) and also not air tight.

While air tight cans obviously could save a lot on energy used I believe the bulbs may not last as long because of even higher heat intensity and duration.

Red fire resistant caulk is available and required when running CAT5e and RG6 cabling in new home construction. Retards flame expansion thus giving more time to escape and save the structure. I do not specifically recall seing any caulk around can lights (in HT or not).

 

[Tom Kay]

Thanks everyone;

I've been watching the replies come in, and I think I won't bother caulking around the cans where the drywall meets. To kill sound transmission, I'll just rely on the slide-in-place lighting trim and the Roxul insulation behind it.

Progress is slow, but steady. I should be ready to post a few pictures soon. I've saved a bunch during the construction.

Cheers, Tom.

 

[Bobby C]

Cans are nice, but as stated, they do leak sound. My HT is in a small room w/ low ceilings (11 x 18, 79" high). For this reason I'm staying away from cans & using wall sconces.