My recessed lighting project took about 20 hours over 3 weeks, and has about 6 hours of wall repairs to go!
The original plan was four lights in a square. I ended up going with five lights, in a more whimsical offset pattern, inspired by a catalog.
Below, partially repaired typical of 8 wall cutouts for this project: Screw plywood pieces to inside face of sheetrock using 1-1/4 inch drywall screws. I cut several 3 x 8-in. pieces from plywood and scrap wainscotting lying around, using table saw. Next step, replace the piece of drywall by screwing it into the plywood.
Below: two repaired cutouts, and two cutouts not yet repaired. Two ceiling cutouts were needed to guide new wire towards lights. I installed two rows of lights, which had to go along (between) upstairs floor joists. The patches can then be plastered over & painted, with help of Wall Span Drywall Joint Tape & Wall Repair Fabric.
Below: Lighting installation products. The big box is 6-pack of light housing, 6-inch diameter, insulated-ceiling rated, remodeling style. Remodeling style-can be installed into holes cut in ceiling (new construction-style contains brackets and that are too big to fit thru a hole). The stack of red boxes are Recessed Light Trim, 6" white airtight reflector baffle trim. Trim is decorative, and fits in the housings. Trim is sold separate from housing so you can choose the style of trim you like.
Holes cut in ceiling with drywall saw. Light housings come with 6-inch paper templates so you can trace the exact circle size needed! It was scary reaching above the ceiling to run wires because who knows what's up there that might bite.
Housing connected to wire. Wire is 14-gauge. You can see insulation above the hole. The housing can stuck in easily, then little clamps come out to hold it up there!
Light bulb, housing (can you see why recesssed lighting is also called can lighting?), baffle reflector trim.
ta da!
another angle. makes me want to finally repaint the living room!
dimmer'd
Baffle trim.
The original plan was four lights in a square. I ended up going with five lights, in a more whimsical offset pattern, inspired by a catalog.
Dimmer switch wired in, testing its proper function using the Christmas candle. Lots of running up and down stairs to turn breaker on/off, testing wiring along the way. All systems go!
Below, wall cutout showing new wiring and new switch box near baseboard. hole cut in wall with drywall saw, after starting a pilot hole by hammering a screwdriver into wall. Wire from right comes from switch. Wire at top goes up wall to first line of lights. It helped to make a smooth cut in one piece, because then you can use same piece of cutout to make the patch afterward.
Wire at left goes along bottom of wall then up to second line of lights. I drilled holes in wall studs with 7/8-inch spade bit.
Below, partially repaired typical of 8 wall cutouts for this project: Screw plywood pieces to inside face of sheetrock using 1-1/4 inch drywall screws. I cut several 3 x 8-in. pieces from plywood and scrap wainscotting lying around, using table saw. Next step, replace the piece of drywall by screwing it into the plywood.
Below: two repaired cutouts, and two cutouts not yet repaired. Two ceiling cutouts were needed to guide new wire towards lights. I installed two rows of lights, which had to go along (between) upstairs floor joists. The patches can then be plastered over & painted, with help of Wall Span Drywall Joint Tape & Wall Repair Fabric.
Below: Lighting installation products. The big box is 6-pack of light housing, 6-inch diameter, insulated-ceiling rated, remodeling style. Remodeling style-can be installed into holes cut in ceiling (new construction-style contains brackets and that are too big to fit thru a hole). The stack of red boxes are Recessed Light Trim, 6" white airtight reflector baffle trim. Trim is decorative, and fits in the housings. Trim is sold separate from housing so you can choose the style of trim you like.
Holes cut in ceiling with drywall saw. Light housings come with 6-inch paper templates so you can trace the exact circle size needed! It was scary reaching above the ceiling to run wires because who knows what's up there that might bite.
Housing connected to wire. Wire is 14-gauge. You can see insulation above the hole. The housing can stuck in easily, then little clamps come out to hold it up there!
Light bulb, housing (can you see why recesssed lighting is also called can lighting?), baffle reflector trim.
ta da!
another angle. makes me want to finally repaint the living room!
dimmer'd
Baffle trim.A couple weeks ago, foliage at the end of the street was lit by sun set.
Hydrangea and more awesome foliage! The hydrangeas went from white to an antique-looking mauvish color.
Hydrangea and more awesome foliage! The hydrangeas went from white to an antique-looking mauvish color.
1 comment:
I'm glad you didn't electrocute yourself. The last picture with the fall colors and the hydrangea is awesome.
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