Recessed lighting can be defined as the use of any light fixture that is installed directly inside a surface – ceilings, walls, etc. Due to the installation being on the inside, this provides a cleaner and more seamless result as the fixtures are flush with the surface they are installed in. Recessed lighting can be great for all types of illumination as it can easily achieve any desired effect; for example, recessed linear luminaires can be used creatively and for general lighting, and recessed downlights can be used for general overhead lighting, accent lighting in cabinets and shelves, and task lighting in work areas.
Components:
Recessed lighting fixtures can be broken down into 3 main components: power supply, housing, and trim.
Power Supply
The power supply, or driver, is what makes the fixture work; it’s usually wired either in parallel or in series and can even have dimming capabilities for better lighting control. There are many driver options in the market, and the right choice depends on how many fixtures and how many watts the fixture is.
Housing
The housing is what gets hidden once the fixture is installed; it’s also where most of the working components will all connect to each other. There are many housing options available, short or long to suit any project, with insulation, so it stays safe in ceilings and walls. Some even come with coil or spring clips for easy installation.
Trim
The trim is the part that is seen after installation without the LED component of the fixture. They can be highly customizable since this is what the public sees. Besides different shapes and finishes, other customizations can be made to include baffles (to increase the spread of the light and increase the beam angle) and reflectors (to decrease uncomfortable glare).
Types of recessed LED fixtures:
Since recessed lighting fixtures can be used almost anywhere, they can be tailor-made to fit various needs; wattage, colour temperature, beam angle, and the most popular customizations one can make.
Recessed fixtures come in various shapes, sizes, and LED types. The most common categories to have recessed fixtures are linear, downlight, and in-grade fixtures.
Linear
Linear fixtures have a strip LED light that provides continuous illumination in a straight line; they can be highly customizable since the length of the LED light can be as long as needed. Recessed linear fixtures are often used creatively with the help of architectural lighting design. They provide illumination for the space, and the possibilities are endless since they can be used to form geometric patterns on walls, ceilings, and even on the ground.
Recessed linearL115 installed in an interesting pattern to provide soft overhead illumination
Downlight
Recessed downlight fixtures are the most common variety as they can be used in almost every setting and space; they range in size, shape, wattage and are often customizable to include baffles, reflectors, and even inner mechanisms that allow for directional lighting.
Recessed downlightL422 with a reflector for wider and more evenly spread overhead lighting
In-Grade
In-grade fixtures are versatile because they can be installed on different surfaces and in any vertical or horizontal position. They are also highly customizable and come in a wide range of colour temperatures, beam angles, and wattages.
Recessed in-grade fixtures L01 & L08. L01 provides accent lighting for the live fence, and the directional L08 provides path illumination
Best uses of recessed lighting:
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is the primary source of light in space and serves as the foundation so that other types of lighting have room to be explored. Recessed downlights are often used for this due to their wider beam angles and ability to be used in a majority of spaces.
Task lighting involves the increase of brightness in a specific area to increase productivity. There are many ways recessed lighting fixtures can be used for this type of lighting. For instance, recessed downlights and linear lights can be used in offices, conference & meeting rooms, and even libraries and classrooms.
Recessed downlightL421 used on the ceiling above the meeting room table for task lighting, and L109 in a cove structure for ambient lighting without glare
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is meant to highlight objects, artwork, and collectibles and to emphasize structural details like columns, gates, windows, and other architectural features.
Recessed lighting fixtures can be very versatile, both in application methods and for different lighting purposes. Because of the installation method for recessed lights, the result is a clean and seamless look with lots of potential for creativity and utility to be explored by lighting designers.
Why recessed lighting is popular in modern projects
Recessed lighting can be defined as the use of any light fixture that is installed directly inside a surface – ceilings, walls, etc. Due to the installation being on the inside, this provides a cleaner and more seamless result as the fixtures are flush with the surface they are installed in. Recessed lighting can be great for all types of illumination as it can easily achieve any desired effect; for example, recessed linear luminaires can be used creatively and for general lighting, and recessed downlights can be used for general overhead lighting, accent lighting in cabinets and shelves, and task lighting in work areas.
Components:
Recessed lighting fixtures can be broken down into 3 main components: power supply, housing, and trim.
Power Supply
The power supply, or driver, is what makes the fixture work; it’s usually wired either in parallel or in series and can even have dimming capabilities for better lighting control. There are many driver options in the market, and the right choice depends on how many fixtures and how many watts the fixture is.
Housing
The housing is what gets hidden once the fixture is installed; it’s also where most of the working components will all connect to each other. There are many housing options available, short or long to suit any project, with insulation, so it stays safe in ceilings and walls. Some even come with coil or spring clips for easy installation.
Trim
The trim is the part that is seen after installation without the LED component of the fixture. They can be highly customizable since this is what the public sees. Besides different shapes and finishes, other customizations can be made to include baffles (to increase the spread of the light and increase the beam angle) and reflectors (to decrease uncomfortable glare).
Types of recessed LED fixtures:
Since recessed lighting fixtures can be used almost anywhere, they can be tailor-made to fit various needs; wattage, colour temperature, beam angle, and the most popular customizations one can make.
Recessed fixtures come in various shapes, sizes, and LED types. The most common categories to have recessed fixtures are linear, downlight, and in-grade fixtures.
Linear
Linear fixtures have a strip LED light that provides continuous illumination in a straight line; they can be highly customizable since the length of the LED light can be as long as needed. Recessed linear fixtures are often used creatively with the help of architectural lighting design. They provide illumination for the space, and the possibilities are endless since they can be used to form geometric patterns on walls, ceilings, and even on the ground.
Recessed linear L115 installed in an interesting pattern to provide soft overhead illumination
Downlight
Recessed downlight fixtures are the most common variety as they can be used in almost every setting and space; they range in size, shape, wattage and are often customizable to include baffles, reflectors, and even inner mechanisms that allow for directional lighting.
Recessed downlight L422 with a reflector for wider and more evenly spread overhead lighting
In-Grade
In-grade fixtures are versatile because they can be installed on different surfaces and in any vertical or horizontal position. They are also highly customizable and come in a wide range of colour temperatures, beam angles, and wattages.
Recessed in-grade fixtures L01 & L08. L01 provides accent lighting for the live fence, and the directional L08 provides path illumination
Best uses of recessed lighting:
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is the primary source of light in space and serves as the foundation so that other types of lighting have room to be explored. Recessed downlights are often used for this due to their wider beam angles and ability to be used in a majority of spaces.
Recessed downlight L403 installed on the ceiling for ambient lighting
Task Lighting
Task lighting involves the increase of brightness in a specific area to increase productivity. There are many ways recessed lighting fixtures can be used for this type of lighting. For instance, recessed downlights and linear lights can be used in offices, conference & meeting rooms, and even libraries and classrooms.
Recessed downlight L421 used on the ceiling above the meeting room table for task lighting, and L109 in a cove structure for ambient lighting without glare
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is meant to highlight objects, artwork, and collectibles and to emphasize structural details like columns, gates, windows, and other architectural features.
Recessed cabinet downlight L502 used to highlight frames
Recessed lighting fixtures can be very versatile, both in application methods and for different lighting purposes. Because of the installation method for recessed lights, the result is a clean and seamless look with lots of potential for creativity and utility to be explored by lighting designers.