Recessed lighting sits between joists in the space above the existing ceiling. The light illuminates the room from a can recessed above the ceiling, so a hole must be cut in the ceiling for the light to show. Recessed ceiling fixtures have suspension arms nailed into the joists above the ceiling, mounting them in place so that the weight of the can doesn't rest on the ceiling itself. To complete this job, you'll need to cut the hole in the ceiling in a space between joists, mount the recessed fixture, wire it, and install the trim bracket. Expect to spend an afternoon on this task.
Instructions
1. Mark the spot in the ceiling for the recessed light, using a pencil.
2. Unwrap a coat hanger so that it is a long, straight line. Jam the sharp end of the coat hanger through the spot you marked on the ceiling. Insert the coat hanger a foot or more through the mark. Leave the coat hanger there and go up to the attic. Look for the coat hanger sticking up from the floor. Check that there's at least 6 inches between the coat hanger and the joists on either side. Otherwise, move the spot so that the suspension arms have enough room to fit between the joists.
3. Return to the room where you inserted the coat hanger and remove the coat hanger. Use the variable-speed drill with the hole saw attached to it to cut a circular hole in the ceiling. The circular hole allows the recessed light to illuminate the room. The hole must be the same diameter as your recessed light, either 4 inches, 5 inches or 6 inches.
4. Place the recessed can over the hole in the attic. Spread the suspension arms out and press the feet into the nearby joists. Have a friend check that the can lines up with the hole in the room below. Use the hammer to nail in the feet of the suspension arms to the ceiling joists.
5. Wire the recessed can to the existing junction box, following the manufacturer's directions. In general, you'll wire the white and black wires from the junction box to the corresponding wires in the housing of the can. Wire the green or bare ground wire to the corresponding color from the can, or, if there isn't one, wire it to the can itself.
6. Cover the can with new insulation, unless the manufacturer's instructions specify that the can should not be near insulation.
7. Install the lighting trim kit to the can in the room below. This requires using a pen to notch the suspension hook onto the can's mounting holes.
8. Screw in a bulb and turn on the light.
Tags: coat hanger, suspension arms, between joists, recessed light, , ceiling light