Recessed Lighting Guide

Housings: Remodel or New Contruction

The housing is the portion of the fixture installed above the ceiling. It contains all of the electrical parts, including the bulb socket.

Trims

The trim is the visible part of a recessed fixture. Trims are required (and sold separately) for all of our recessed housings. When choosing a housing, be sure to note the compatible trim identified in the specifications and accessory options.

Flanged or Flangeless

A flanged trim is designed to overlay the surface of the ceiling. A flangeless trim is designed to sit flush with the surface of the ceiling. Please note: Flangeless options require professional installation.

When choosing a trim, it is important to note the size of your housing and whether it is designed for Flanged or Flangeless application. For example, a 3" Round Flanged Housing requires a 3" Round Flanged Trim. View the product specifications info to find the compatible pairings for housings and trims.

Trim Lens Options

Lensed – Preferred if you do not want the inside of the housing to be visible.

No Lens – Preferred for a "quiet" ceiling. This option blends into the ceiling better than a lensed trim, which can produce a slight glare.

Shower – Required for wet location often including but not limited to showers or outdoor installation. Includes a gasket.

Wall Wash – Directs light toward a wall or vertical surface. Designed specifically for wall wash housings.

Color Temperature

Our LED recessed housings come in a wide range of color temperatures. The most popular are White (3000K), Warm White (2700K) and Warm-Dim (3000K-1800K). Cool light appears more white and is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, or anywhere high visibility is needed. Warm light is best for living rooms, bedrooms, or anywhere you'd prefer to have a cozier feel. Warm-Dim LED's begin White (3000K) and gradually become warmer as they are dimmed.

Color Rendering Index (CRI)

CRI stands for Color Rendering Index, which measures how accurately an artificial light source renders color. The higher the CRI (maximum is 100), the more accurate colors will appear. A CRI of 80 is considered sufficient for most general lighting applications, however 90 or above will produce superior accuracy for more demanding applications (such as museums or retail shops).

Beam Spread

Beam Spread refers to the approximate area covered by light based on the aperture of a fixture and distance between the installation and desired surface. Wider beam spreads (30-60°) are best for general, ambient lighting because they cover the most surface area. Narrow beam spreads (15-25°) are best for task lighting purposes, or when you want to draw attention to a specific surface.

2" Aperture

3" Aperture

4" Aperture