I’m installing new recessed lighting in a room. Unfortunately, a 2×4 that sits on top of the room’s joists is running across a spot where one of the lights is to be installed. I have tried to reconfigure the lighting pattern. The room is non-symmetrical, and when I move the lights around I end up having other issues.

 

My roof is a truss system construction. The 2×4 is 16-feet in length that runs across 8 joists. It is triple nailed into a load bearing wall on one side and ends mid-joist on the other side. 

 

Another 2×4 that is ~5 feet long sits along the side of it to complete the full span of joists. I didn’t expect this, but the 16-foot the 5-foot 2x4s are not nailed to a common joist. 

 

To accommodate a recessed light, I need to remove 2 feet of the 16-foot 2×4 starting at the third joist (approximately 7 foot from the load bearing wall). There is not a doubt in my mind that I should replace it with something. The question is what should I replace it with?

 

Some thoughts:

 

1. Add two 8- ot 10-foot 2x4s on either side of it (one can run along the side of the existing 2×4).

2. Add new 12-foot 2×4 that butts up against another load bearing post?

3. Combination of the two?

 

I think the maximum 2×4 I can get up in the ceiling and positioned correctly (if I’m lucky) will be a 12 footer.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.