Recessed lighting — also called can lights or pot lights — is one of the most popular lighting upgrades we install in Twin Cities homes. Done well, it makes a room feel larger, better lit, and more finished without the visual bulk of surface-mounted fixtures. Here's what the installation process actually involves.
New Construction vs. Existing Ceilings
In a new build or a room being fully renovated, recessed lighting is straightforward — the ceiling is open, the wiring is easy to route, and fixtures are installed before drywall goes up. In an existing home with finished ceilings, the process is more involved but very doable. We use "remodel" or "retrofit" can fixtures that are designed to install through a hole cut in existing drywall without attic access from below.
Planning the Layout
Good recessed lighting starts with a good layout plan. The general rule is to space fixtures roughly half the ceiling height apart and keep them about 2 feet from walls. For a room with 8-foot ceilings, that suggests lights spaced 3–4 feet apart and 2 feet from the perimeter. We help you plan the layout before cutting any holes.
IC Ratings and Insulation
In Minnesota, most homes have insulation above every finished ceiling — either batts in a floor/ceiling assembly or blown insulation in an attic above. Recessed lights installed in insulated ceilings must be rated IC (insulation contact). Non-IC fixtures require a clearance zone around them, which isn't practical in a typical Minnesota attic. We always install IC-rated fixtures in insulated locations.
LED vs. Old-Style Cans
Modern recessed lights are integrated LED fixtures — the LED is built into the fixture, not a separate bulb. These last 25,000–50,000 hours (25+ years at normal use), use a fraction of the energy of incandescent cans, don't produce heat that can be a problem near insulation, and come in a range of color temperatures from warm white (2700K) to cool daylight (5000K). We no longer install old-style can-and-bulb combinations except in specific situations where a client has an existing system to match.
Dimming
Most clients want their recessed lighting on a dimmer. LED dimmers are not the same as old incandescent dimmers — using the wrong dimmer with LED fixtures causes flickering and buzzing. We specify and install dimmers that are compatible with the specific fixtures we're using.
Hawkins Electric installs recessed lighting throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Twin Cities metro. Call or book online to schedule a consultation.