wet location can light

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don_resqcapt19

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Illinois
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retired electrician
I am in the process of building an two level deck at my house. I am thinking about using Timbertech's "DrySpace" system for a ceiling above the first level deck, and it would be a nice touch to install can lights in this ceiling.

I have looked for wet location can light housings on the net without any luck. I find lots of wet location trims, but not the housings.

Does anyone make a housing that would be suitable for this application?
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
I am in the process of building an two level deck at my house. I am thinking about using Timbertech's "DrySpace" system for a ceiling above the first level deck, and it would be a nice touch to install can lights in this ceiling.

I have looked for wet location can light housings on the net without any luck. I find lots of wet location trims, but not the housings.

Does anyone make a housing that would be suitable for this application?

Am familiar with Timbertech products but not "DrySpace". Just looked it up though and I see it still allows use of normal decking above that may drain through, this is a product for the ceiling below that channels that water away and leaves the space below dry. Cool idea.

I have in past built my own enclosure within deck to mount the can in that would be water resistant from the deck above, you do however also have to deal with the water that this system is channeling out of the ceiling space, which even if you had a wet location can, you would still create drainage problems by having that can in there. Do they have accessories for such penetrations to divert water away from the penetration?
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
The only thing that comes to my feeble mind is a "in ground" type of fixture.:(
Are they listed for "in ceiling"? Are they listed for "down light" applications?

Maybe fill the space with dirt or concrete and get closer to a rated application:cool:
 

Dennis Alwon

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Location
Chapel Hill, NC
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Retired Electrical Contractor
What we have done was have a rubber membrane on the second floor deck below the deck boards, This has always kept it dry.. and we use regular damp location cans. I would never let the water collect in that system.

I don't know why they would do it the way they show it as it lets the rain in. Once you install a light there it is no longer water tite around the edge of the light. I would not do this at all.
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
What we have done was have a rubber membrane on the second floor deck below the deck boards, This has always kept it dry.. and we use regular damp location cans. I would never let the water collect in that system.

I don't know why they would do it the way they show it as it lets the rain in. Once you install a light there it is no longer water tite around the edge of the light. I would not do this at all.
They do it the way they do it because the floor above is designed to let water through. If you are wanting something dry below from the start you may use a different design like the rubber membrane you mentioned.

The DrySpace page does show a ceiling fan mounted on a ceiling with that product - must be some way to divert water away from cutouts in the product??
 

don_resqcapt19

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Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
What we have done was have a rubber membrane on the second floor deck below the deck boards, This has always kept it dry.. and we use regular damp location cans. I would never let the water collect in that system.

I don't know why they would do it the way they show it as it lets the rain in. Once you install a light there it is no longer water tite around the edge of the light. I would not do this at all.
There are 3 or 4 brands that make a product like this. I expect it is a cheaper way to do this as one product keeps the water off the lower deck and is the finish ceiling for the lower deck.

Good point about water coming though around the cans.
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
A thought I have is some LED luminaires I have seen - that can be either surface mount (over a recessed box) or a can light retrofit. Of course you still have issues with water inside the ceiling material, but maybe can find a way to use a wet location box and seal it from leaking out your cutout?
 

don_resqcapt19

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
A thought I have is some LED luminaires I have seen - that can be either surface mount (over a recessed box) or a can light retrofit. Of course you still have issues with water inside the ceiling material, but maybe can find a way to use a wet location box and seal it from leaking out your cutout?
I see that Timbertech does suggest the use of a second ceiling panel in the joist cavity above a box for a ceiling fan or ceiling light, but I don't think the joists have enough depth to do that with a can light. They say to extend the upper panel 18" beyond the fan or light. The water runs off the end of that panel on to the actual ceiling panel and on to the drain system.

I guess I will look at some type of surface mount ceiling light when I get around to that part of the project.
 
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