Hi guys,
I got to redo a basement room, 13′ X 25′ appx 325 sqft. I want to do canned lighting throughout.
The ceiling is only 7-7 1/2′ high.
I know that a 4 inch can light will cast appx a 7 ft radius circle of light.
My question is what’s the best layout for the lights and how many would I need?
Should I concentrate the rows of lights to the outside of the room? If so, how far from the walls?
Should I have a row down the centre of the room?
Replies
A large can will produce a 7' circle of light on the floor with an 8' ceiling. I would expect less from a 4''.
6-7' is a decent spread between cans when general light is the goal. That would be two rows about 3-4' off the long walls. If you know areas of use, I would consider switching in groups according to area or perhaps some other pairings-alternate/groups of 4 or 6. Dimmers of course.
I'll usually include some 2x2 lay-ins for when full bright light is wanted. If not a drop ceiling, 1' troffers can be fit between joists.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
someone suggested sconces instead since the ceiling height was so low. Plus I'm 6'1''. Would I feel the heat of canned lights walking through the room?
Well, if you stood under one I suppose you might feel some warmth, especially if you used halogen lamps. But how often do you think you'd be standing directly under the lamp? Much of the heat from a can goes up into the housing with just a bit being radiated into the room. To check this (and my wife asked if I was losing it) I just held my hand under a can and then a LV halogen pendant. At a foot away, no real measurable heat-but you could feel a slight difference.
Sconces would wash the wall above with light, casting some of it out into the room. A nice mood lighting, but not a room filling illumination.
What are you going to do in this long narrow room? Might help suggest some alternatives.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Thanks for your help. I'm planning it as a living room with a dining room connected.
Here's a pic, the room is circled. The left wall has two ground level windows and a full fireplace.
[pic]http://mydrive.roadfly.com/blog/uploads/guizai_living_room.JPG[/pic]
Edited 3/22/2006 9:49 pm ET by guizai
Edited 3/22/2006 9:50 pm ET by guizai