We're finally getting around to have some major remodeling done to some seriously outdated rooms (kitchen and bathroom; haven't been updated since we've owned the house -- 38 years). All the builder estimates have recessed lighting for kitchen and bathroom. I'm used to surface-mount fixtures (fluorescent tubes and/or incandescent small central fixtures). Those of you who have had either or both, care to comment?

I'd assume its a style of lighting rather than actually physically 'recessed'. Considering the availability of thin led lights, the difference between recessed and surface mount becomes pretty negligible. I have some some of these that I've been very happy with - [www.amazon.com]

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We are taking about the difference between a fixture that mounts onto the surface and sticks out or hangs, and the ones that are installed into a cavity and whose bulbs are recessed.

If you have a style of fixture that you like then go for that, but I imagine it would cost more to install than recessed because they require an electrical box and more labor.

Having recently installed a very thin LED light over a bathtub I would certainly go that route again. Just cut a circle hole and attach a wire from the other side. It is basically flush with the ceiling and is not noticeable when off.

In our brand new house the lights are semi flat LED.

However, if you remove the light, there are traditional "boxes" in the ceiling for normal lighting. Ive pulled and replaced a half dozen of them.

They don't have a big box like the ones matt linked to, they use normal 3 wire connection, similar to this: [www.amazon.com]

They are about 2" thick and ugly as all get out... so choose carefully. I would try to get something recessed, similar to this (link just for style) [www.amazon.com]

Consider pendants or handling lights in both places. look way nicer. =)

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

we have recessed cans with LED bulbs in the kitchen from before the flat ones were available. Been very happy. At least 15 years.
Tons of light.
We also have a surface mount flat in the front hall. Maybe 5 years. Also been very good. Not as much light, but I'd guess these kind of fixtures have moved forward over the last few years.

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!#$@@$#!

proofraed by OwEn the c@t.

I would always go for "recessed" lighting, at least for the main lighting. Which will probably be a "can" fixture and then an LED light/trim (similar to jdc's 2nd link). And then potentially have accent lighting via a ceiling electrical box.

And if it's important to you, you may want to select the actual lights/trim. I naively/stupidly just told my contractor I wanted "warm white". And at least they put in 3000k lights, but some of them were a different brand (thus slightly different looking trim), and my wife sort of hated them, so I just replaced 41 lights with Phillips "Warm Glow" (2700k that dims to 2200k), that are also discontinued, so that was a pain to find) and also some plain 2700k (since I couldn't find enough Warm Glow lights). (My life would have been easier going with their updated version, but I didn't want to also replace all my existing smart switches for new smart switches).

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mattkime
I have some some of these that I've been very happy with - [www.amazon.com]

This is the newer "canless" style recessed lighting. I wonder if many contractors are up to speed on using this style? I also wonder how interchangeable they are. I.e. if you want to swap the light for whatever reason, can the new one just plug into the same electrical box? Will you need an adapter to fit the connection? Or will you need to replace the box (i.e. if they output different DC voltages)?

whatever you decide to get, I would recommend that it take standard E26 Edison Base bulbs - much easier to find replacements for those.

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SDGuy
whatever you decide to get, I would recommend that it take standard E26 Edison Base bulbs - much easier to find replacements for those.

Lucky me, CA building code no longer allows screw based bulbs for recessed interior lighting.

We have the recessed can retrofit kits with led and they buzz after a short while. I’ve tried replacing them and the new ones buzz fairly quickly also. I’m not home so I can’t check the brand but maybe read reviews and watch for that.

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MikeF

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SDGuy
whatever you decide to get, I would recommend that it take standard E26 Edison Base bulbs - much easier to find replacements for those.

Lucky me, CA building code no longer allows screw based bulbs for recessed interior lighting.

I assume the "orange" 2-pin connector must be pretty standard. I had no issues with connecting my 41 replacement lights. I had other issues, but that had to do with the contractor's lazy working not installing the cans correctly...

One could always cut the connector and wire in a female E26 base if it becomes a problem.

just for clarity -- this is in a brand new CA home, in a city where solar and tankless water heaters are required... and some of the lowest electricity rates in CA, FWIW.

model 43870whled30B, made by kichler: [www.kichlerlightinglights.com]

Photos are: in the kitchen ceiling, on my desk, from the side. dimmable. Kind of a weird blue, but not awful light. 3000K

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

....for kids.....particularly younger ones.....prefer that they get....'recess' time.....sometimes one just needs a break......

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