the beginner's guide to recessed lighting

RECESSED LIGHTINGThe Beginner’s Guide to

1-800-392-4818 | © 2016 Pegasus Lighting


RECESSED LIGHT FIXTURES

TRIM

The part you see from below.

TheHOUSING

Concealed inside the ceiling.

TheLIGHT BULBThe

Provides light to the fixture.

have 3 basic parts


RECESSED LIGHTINGan inside view

HOUSING

TRIM

LIGHT BULB

The

The

The



HOUSING

First, let’s talk about the housing.

You have several options to consider…

Remember, this is the part of the recessed light that sits above the ceiling and holds the trim and the bulb.

TRIM

LIGHT BULB

The

The


NEW CONSTRUCTION

Use new construction housing when you don’t need to work around any existing drywall. The housing attaches to the joists with adjustable T-Bars.

AIRTIGHT

Airtight housing creates a seal so that no air escapes. It is very energy-efficient for air-conditioned spaces.

LOW PROFILE

Use low profile recessed housing if you don’t have a lot of space in your ceiling cavity.

REMODEL

Use remodel housing when your ceiling is already in place. You’ll need to slide the housing through a small hole and have it rest on the ceiling.

SLOPED CEILING

Sloped Ceiling housings are designed for a pitched ceiling so that the light still aims down and not at an angle.

IC RATED

Use IC Rated housing anytime your fixture will be in direct contact with insulation. This is very important to prevent a fire hazard.

RECESSED HOUSINGSoptions

Each type of recessed housing has features that benefit different types of lighting projects. For example…



HOUSING

TRIM

LIGHT BULB

The

The

The



TRIM

Next up, the part that sits inside the housing and is what you see when you look up at the ceiling — the trim.

Just like housing, there are lots of choices …

HOUSING

LIGHT BULB

The

The


ADJUSTABLE

Use adjustable trims for accent lighting where you want the light to aim at a specific object (like art). These trims rotate, revolve or swivel.

GLASS

Glass trims are often used to add color, sparkle or a distinctive ‘light patterning’ to your space.

RECESSED TRIMSpopular types

BAFFLED

Probably the most popular type, baffled trims have concentric ridges are designed to soften the light. Great in both homes and offices.

PINHOLE

For precision lighting needs, pinhole trims concentrate the light into a single beam, like a tiny indoor spotlight.

REFLECTOR

A smooth shiny cone inside reflector trims create an intense, dazzling light, great for kitchens or industrial spaces that need bright light.

WALL WASH

The partial opening in wall wash trims direct light in an asymmetrical beam onto the wall or object.

SHOWER

Shower trims have rubber gaskets to keep moisture out of your fixture and tempered glass for safety.

SQUARE

Decorative square trims offer a unique contemporary look to your recessed lighting fixture.

Recessed trims not only determine how your fixture looks from below, but also how your light shines …



HOUSING

TRIM

LIGHT BULB

The

The

The



LIGHT BULB

Last but not least — the light bulb.

Surprise, surprise …

You have options …

TRIM

HOUSING

The

The


RECESSED LIGHT BULBSTypes, shapes, & sizes

TWIST & LOCK

BIPINMEDIUM SCREW

LUMENS

DIMMABLECOOL WHITE 60 WATTS

WARM WHITE FLUORESCENTHALOGEN

LEDINCANDESCENT

PARABOLIC ALUMINIZED REFLECTOR?

BULGED REFLECTOR

BR30

R40

PAR38CFL

GU10

MR11

2700K

DAYLIGHT

E26

5000K


RECESSED LIGHT BULBSTypes, shapes, & sizes

Let’s break that down into a few basic recessed light bulb features:

✓ TYPES ✓ SHAPES ✓ BASES ✓ SIZES ✓ PERFORMANCE

Now, let’s review some of the most popular options for each one:


RECESSED LIGHT BULBScovering the basics

REFLECTOR (R)Most common. Has a reflective surface inside that directs all of the light down.

SHAPEThe shape of a reflector light bulb

determines the direction of the light.

TYPETypes of light sources.

LEDDurable, cool, dimmable and the most energy-efficient light source.

HALOGENCrisp, renders colors well. Tend to get warm.

INCANDESCENTLeast efficient but offers a pretty, warm glow.

FLUORESCENTBright, affordable and longer lasting than halogen. Contain mercury.

Focuses more light into the beam.

BULGED REFLECTOR (BR)

PARABOLIC ALUMINIZED REFLECTOR (PAR)Tighter, more controlled beam of light.

MULTIFACETED REFLECTOR (MR)Multiple reflectors shape and gather the beam.

PERFORMANCEMeasurements for the output and

efficiency of the light bulb.

LUMENSDescribe the amount of light (or brightness) produced by the light source.

WATTSMeasure the energy required to power the light source.

COLOR TEMPERATUREMeasures the color of the light, in kelvins (K).

BASEThe part of the light bulb that

attaches it to the fixture.

SCREW-IN

BIPIN

TWIST & LOCK

SIZEThe diameter of the light bulb, measured in 1/8ths of an inch.

for example:

MR16 = 16/8” diameter

PAR30 = 30/8” diameter

BEAM SPREADMeasures the spread of light from a reflectorized light source.


THAT’S IT!Now you know the three basic components of recessed lighting:

the housing, the trim, and light bulb.

Browse recessed lighting at https://www.pegasuslighting.com

Ready to get started?

Questions? How can we help? 1-800-392-4818 or [email protected]

Want to know more?

Read in-depth lighting articles, product guides, infographics and videos at

https://www.pegasuslighting.com/learn.html

Life of Riley Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

the beginner's guide to recessed lighting

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