Several households use recessed spotlights as lighting. It is the ideal lighting that is always neatly concealed in the ceiling. You enjoy optimal lighting without lamp fixtures hanging in the way. Recessed lighting looks stylish and can also be placed in corners and niches that are difficult to illuminate. However, there are a few things that you should take into account when installing recessed spotlights.
That is why we list 10 tips below.
1. Measure the installation depth and diameter of the recessed spotlights
Never just buy recessed spots that you like, but measure everything carefully. You may have very little space behind your ceiling. Standard downlights are then quickly too large. Always keep enough space behind the ceiling and the downlights should not come into contact with insulation material.
If you don’t have enough space, buy downlights with a low installation depth. You should also measure the cut-out size carefully, especially if you use existing holes. This prevents you from buying downlights that are too small for the existing hole. Larger downlights are possible, but then you have enlarged the holes.
2. Low voltage or high voltage recessed spotlights?
Normally you use a 230V high voltage network. It is therefore wise to always opt for recessed spotlights that work on 230V. This has a number of advantages, namely you do not need a transformer, you can dim the recessed spots better, connect them more easily and there is more choice.
Nevertheless, 12V low-voltage recessed spotlights are sometimes chosen, especially in humid areas, such as the bathroom or outside. This is still possible, but then you have to take a transformer into account. Because the circumstances, such as ventilation, watertightness and fire risk are much better regulated nowadays, you can also opt for high-voltage downlights here.
3. Connect serial or parallel
The recessed spotlights must be interconnected. This can be done in series or parallel. This depends on which type of voltage you choose. Do you use 12V, 24V and 230V downlights? Then you need to connect in parallel. This means that all plus and minus points of the flow circle are connected. A parallel circuit can also run through multiple circuits.
The main difference with serial switching is that if one lamp breaks, this does not affect all other lamps. With a series connection, all recessed spots will then stop working. This is mainly used for downlights of 350Mamp, 500Mamp, 700Mamp and 1050Mamp.
4. Opting for a replaceable lamp or an integrated LED module?
If you opt for LED lighting, you won’t have to change a bulb regularly. That is why there are now also donwlights with integrated LED lighting for sale. This is especially interesting for downlights where you have no space to place a downlight whose power differs from standard LED spotlights.
You can use a separate LED spot with a recessed spot fixture GU10 or E27. You can then freely choose the power of the LED spot.
5. Spiral springs or leaf springs?
The current generation of downlights are almost always equipped with springs. When installing the downlight, the clamp is held against the spot to push it into the hole. The clamp is then released and the recessed spot is fixed in the ceiling. Leaf springs are sometimes used for a concrete ceiling.
Leaf springs clamp horizontally and are thus better secured in the ceiling than when spiral springs are used. Nowadays, springs are also widely used for a concrete ceiling, because the technology has become much better.
6. Pay attention to the IP value
For recessed spotlights in the living room or bedroom, you will not have to pay attention to the IP value. This is the case if you want to place recessed spotlights outside or in humid areas, such as the bathroom. These recessed spotlights must be watertight to prevent short circuits.
The IP value has two digits, where you should pay attention to the last digit. This rating includes protection against moisture. The first number represents the protection against dust. You must have at least IPX4 for splash-proof or waterproof downlights. In all the different kinds of bathrooms, one usually works with an IP44 or IP65 value.
7. Take dimmable recessed spotlights
When you take dimmable recessed spotlights, you can set the lighting according to your wishes. Especially when the lighting is bright, you can use a dimmer to soften the light. Even if you do not plan to install a dimmer, dimmable recessed spotlights can be a good choice.
You can always change your mind later and still opt for a dimmer. In any case, you do not have to replace your recessed spotlights. Please note that the spots are compatible with your dimmer.
8. Recessed spotlights in stretch ceilings
Stretch ceilings are becoming increasingly popular. This allows you to finish an old or ugly ceiling with damage very neatly and seamlessly. Moreover, the possibilities of stretch ceilings are very large. In principle, all types of downlights can be built into a stretch ceiling. It is important that you choose LED downlights.
Stretch ceilings must not come into contact with heat. The classic light bulb gets very hot and this is not recommended with such a ceiling (and they also leave black spots on the stretch ceiling). Therefore, always choose LED recessed spotlights.
9. Tiltable recessed spotlights
Tiltable downlights give that little something extra. You are more flexible. It can always happen that there is a corner or niche where it is not possible to place recessed spotlights. Nevertheless, you can illuminate this corner with tiltable recessed spotlights that hang nearby.
You then only have to aim at the spots and your dark corner will also be illuminated. Tiltable recessed spotlights are also ideal to use to accentuate objects or parts of the room.
10. Shapes and Colors
Recessed spotlights are usually round and in the color white. But you don’t have to adhere to this. If you still want the recessed spotlights to be more visible, you can opt for a certain shape, such as rectangular or square, or for a different colour.
Black recessed spotlights in a white ceiling have a nice contrasting effect. In this way, seemingly invisible recessed spotlights still furnish your interior.
Also read: 6 Easy Steps to Make Elegant Bedroom
