How to Install Recessed Lighting
Recessed lights are a great way to add a new look and modernity to your home. Recessed lights are bright, out of the way, and modern. These fixtures are becoming quite trendy in homes. Here is a step by step guide that will help you install your recessed lights by yourself.
Here is a list of materials you'll need to complete the project.
Step-by-Step Process
Turn the power off.
The first and most important step to installing your recessed lights is to determine where you want them. Make sure you carefully consider the area you want the lights to illuminate. Take your time on placement.
Trace around the fixture using a pencil so you know where to cut out the ceiling.
Using a utility knife, make shallow cuts where you want to cut out the hole. (Think of it as scoring the dry wall) Do not completely saw through the ceiling yet. Cut a small hole in the center of the circle. Make sure the hole is not too big, or else installing the fixtures will be impossible.
Using your drywall saw, cut slits from the center of the circle to the edges that you scored. When you're done cutting the 'slices', you can fold the drywall inward through the ceiling.
Clean up the drywall. If there is anything sticking out, make sure you either fold it up with the rest of the 'drywall slices' or cut it off.
Run wire from the power source to the holes. Clamp about 8 inches of wire at the junction box and strip 1 inch off the end. Use wire nuts to secure the wires to the wires in the junction box. Black wire to black wire, white wire to white wire, ground wire to ground wire.
At the fixture location, pull the wire from the hole and into the junction box of the fixture. Clamp the wire to secure it into place and strip the ends of the wire. Use wire nuts to attach the fixture's wires to the house's wires.
Place all the wires into the box. Snap the cover of the box into place.
Fit the fixture into the ceiling. There are generally clips that will help secure the fixture to the ceiling. Pop these clips into place.
Congratulations, you've installed your recessed light!