How to Install Recessed Lighting Where Existing Fluorescent Lights Are
If you've finally gotten tired of those ugly, old fluorescent lights, consider upgrading your interior lighting. Recessed lighting will be a huge improvement, and there are many different options--from simple "can lights" (named after the metal can-shaped box that holds the light in the ceiling) to elegant Victorian chandeliers. It will take some time, money and effort. But don't be intimidated because it's not as difficult of a job as you might think. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stepladder
- Stud finder
- Hammer
- Nails
- Screwdrivers
- Wrenches
- Sheet rock
- Sheet rock screws or nails
- Plaster joint compound
- Drywall tape
- Plaster spatula
- Sandpaper
- Drop cloths
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Hole saw
- Recessed light fixtures
- Ceiling paint
Instructions
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1
Locate ceiling joists around the old lighting with a stud finder, or by nailing small nails into the ceiling until you find the joist locations. Mark the joist locations with a pencil, and remove all nails you used to find the sites.
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2
Draw a plan on paper for the new light location, making sure the new light is located alongside a ceiling joist.
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3
Turn off the electrical breaker for the fluorescent lights. Remove the fluorescent light cover and tubes (bulbs). Unscrew the fluorescent light box and disengage the electrical wires. Remove the old light box.
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4
Patch the ceiling sheet rock (if necessary), leaving a hole for the new recessed light. Cut a new hole in the ceiling for the new light (if necessary), following the pattern in the new lighting instructions.
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5
Attach the old electrical wires to the wires on the new light fixture with the wire nuts that are provided, fastening black wire to black wire, white wire to white wire, and copper wire to copper wire. Screw the wire nuts clockwise as tight as you can with your fingers. (Alternately, the existing copper wire may need to be attached to a green screw. See your new light instructions.)
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6
Mount the new light fixture against the ceiling joists, using the fasteners provided with the new light fixture.
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7
Plaster, sand and paint the ceiling around the new light fixture. Mount the bulb, lens and cover plate. Turn on the electrical breaker, and flip the wall switch to test the new light.
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Tips & Warnings
Recessed lights are not likely to illuminate as broad of an area as the old fluorescent lighting, so you might need several lights, over a broad area, to achieve bright, uniform room lighting.
Know the electrical codes in your city and county, and always abide by them. Make sure that you are not overloading the electrical circuit by adding too many lights.
References
- Photo Credit closeup of light image by green308 from Fotolia.com
