Downlights with Housing or Housing-free

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

designer82

Senior Member
Location
Boston
I am selecting some downlights for an 8 unit multi-family residential and I can't figure out whether 6" downlights with housing or housing-free are more appropriate. Any help?

Thanks
 
It's mostly a preference. I like the housing-free because you can get the spacing much more accurate for your lay-out. Just wait till the ceiling is finished and cut in the lights where you want. Of course some preplaning is necessary to know where to leave the wire for each light. Just leave extra wire to leave room for adjustment.
 
I personally don't like to use the housing free ones to me I feel like it's more work,labor going back to cut out all the lights . Plus it's messy I hate drilling holes in sheetrock like that

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
 
nickelec said:
I personally don't like to use the housing free ones to me I feel like it's more work,labor going back to cut out all the lights . Plus it's messy I hate drilling holes in sheetrock like that

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Use a "pie pan" type collector on your hole saw. No mess with these. We cut in approx. 70 of these in a new house just last week with zero mess. With the spacing this customer wanted, there was no way to use standard can housings.
 
I guess in some situations there good, but you don't see it as being double the work?

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
 
Normal scenario you nail in a can, wire it, come.back later put bulb and trim

Canless you pull the wire , measure out comeback drill hole wire it .

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
 
nickelec said:
I guess in some situations there good, but you don't see it as being double the work?

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
nickelec said:
Normal scenario you nail in a can, wire it, come.back later put bulb and trim

Canless you pull the wire , measure out comeback drill hole wire it .

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I don't see it as double work.
Both cases you have to pull wire
Both cases you have to wire it
One case you measure and nail up a housing
One case you measure and leave the wire

Maybe a small amount of extra work, such as measuring where to leave the wire, then measure to cut the hole.
Then again, you don't have to both put in the trim and screw in a bulb. So all-in-all, maybe a tiny bit more work. I will admit that I rather use the canless for old work more than for new.

Disclaimer: I actually hate all can light installs!!!
 
Haa ha lol. Agreed for remodels canless all day I prefer cans in new condition , also with the canless you can't get any lightning on the job until rock is up

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
 
I have a friend with a lot of rental properties. The market is hot, so he did some remodeling on a couple and sold them. He asked me to come by and help with a couple of items. One being recessed lighting. He told me he bought LED trims that don’t require a can, but can’t get them to stay in the hole.

6edd29779402145122169756938ca919.jpg



Luckily he saved the housing and I was able to properly repair it. I told him to please call me next time before attempting electrical repairs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
For me it’s can lights, I think it looks a lot more professional, also seams like more options, trims, bulbs, etc. installed some housing-less, thought I was a cool idea and system, but really did not look good, maybe because it was wavy sheetrock.

I do not see it as more or less work at all, remodel or not.


“ shoot low boys their riding shetland ponies”
 
I have used lots of can killers the last 3-4 years, however i have changed my mind and will no longer recommend them. One of the primary reasons is the lack of serviceability. Joe homeowner can change a bulb but probably not replace a can killer.

The other big reason is buzzing and dimming issues. I'm just so sick of it. The Lithonias I have been using (which I used because I assumed they would be better than many if these no name ones) make a noticable buzz. It would drive me crazy. Another brand I used flickers briefly occasionally. I'm done. With A base led bulbs at least you can just try another brand if you are having issues.
 
I agree with above post AND my concern is exact replacements in the future. What happens when one goes out. Will you find the exact color temp / CRI AFTER the others have aged? Will it be the same style trim? There are SO many brands and one offs that I cant help but wonder what the life expectancy will be. With a traditional can, I know I can replace all will screw in LEDs, incandescent, OR retro LED trims. Totally flexible for future replacement. The only drawback is slightly less install flexibility but I am ok with that.

I care less if its in a pantry, closet or other one off utility area, but for a bedroom, Livingroom, kit etc... I use cans when I can, pun intended.
 
mikeames said:
I agree with above post AND my concern is exact replacements in the future. What happens when one goes out. Will you find the exact color temp / CRI AFTER the others have aged? Will it be the same style trim? There are SO many brands and one offs that I cant help but wonder what the life expectancy will be. With a traditional can, I know I can replace all will screw in LEDs, incandescent, OR retro LED trims. Totally flexible for future replacement. The only drawback is slightly less install flexibility but I am ok with that.

I care less if its in a pantry, closet or other one off utility area, but for a bedroom, Livingroom, kit etc... I use cans when I can, pun intended.
Click to expand...
I Agree cans for me all the way

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top