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recessed lights on a sloped ceiling

jergrimes | Posted in General Discussion on August 18, 2005 01:12am

Hello everyone.  This is my first post and appreciate any advise you can offer to me.  With the help of a carpenter friend, I have eliminated a dropped ceiling in my kitchen so that I will have a sloped ceiling.  The resulting kitchn/dining area is 10’X25′ with the peak being 10′ across.  The ceiling is 12′ high at the peak and 8′ on each end. 

At my wife’s request, I had planned to install recessed lights in the sloped ceiling – 8 of them placed strategically around the kitchen with a 9th one directly over the sink.  There would a hanging light over the dining room table at the “other end” of the room. Seemed like a good idea to install recessed lights.  However, now I am not told that recessed lighting is not recommended in sloped ceilings because of the lack of ventilation and consequently moisture problems (see Handyman magazine’s most current publication).  

It has been suggested by my friend that, if there is room between the electrical can and the roof, I could install foam insulation directly above the can – with the regular rolled insulation in the remainder of the ceiling.  Perhaps this would significantly reduce the condensation since there would be insulation between the heat source (the can) and the roof.  What do you think?  Would that work?  Would it be dangerous to do?  Any other ideas or concerns?

I would use 6″ IC fixtures. 

Thanks for your input.

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Replies

  1. Danno | Aug 18, 2005 03:16pm | #1

    I don't have an answer except to suggest that you may try posting your question on the Breaktime forum too. (Lots of builders and electricians and such there.)

  2. msm | Aug 19, 2005 06:23pm | #2

    also, a can in a slope will either have to be exposed on the uphill side in order to be flush on the downhill, or recessed on the downhill side to be flush with the up, which whould cut off the spreading of ligh on that side, or fully flush but pointing at an angle.

    convince wife to switch to repositionable drop lights instead. same effect, but more practical in your situation. and they come in so many pretty styles



    Edited 8/19/2005 11:54 am ET by msm

    1. custombuilt | Aug 27, 2005 04:04am | #3

      Sorry msm, don't follow what you're saying......I think he's talking about recessed cans without the 'eyeball cone' 

      I'm not an electrician, but I don't see why there would be any difference in installing them on a sloped ceiling in comparison with a flat.  I've seen it done it on a ton of job sights......no problems.

      If you had a drop ceiling before, why would there be any moisture in the ceiling?  What kind of insolation is there? kraft faced batts stapled in the rafters, or were you planning on doing blow in?   Just remember that you are supposed to leave 4 inch reveal around the can per manufacturer's specs for heat issues

      1. User avater
        aimless | Aug 29, 2005 08:52pm | #4

        MSM said they were using IC rated cans - I believe that means that insulation can contact it.

        1. custombuilt | Aug 31, 2005 06:55pm | #5

          you're right, i missed that.......IC's can be covered with Insolation----When in doubt, get a bigger hammer!

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