Recessed Lighting Installation Services Durham, NC
Recessed lights sit flush with the ceiling and spread light evenly across the room. Brian Electric installs recessed lights in Durham and nearby towns, planned around your room and your joists, with clean cuts in finished ceilings.
- Licensed in North Carolina
- Wafer and can lights
- Layout planned with you
Your Options
Canless Wafer Lights vs Traditional Cans
As a licensed electrician in Durham, NC, we install both. Most homeowners now pick wafers, but cans still make sense in some rooms. For chandeliers and other fixtures, see our lighting installation page.
Canless LED Wafer Lights
- Profile
- About an inch thick, so they fit tight spots
- Install
- Small hole, less drywall work
- Light
- Wide, even spread across the room
- Upkeep
- Built-in LED, nothing to change for years
Best for: Most rooms, finished ceilings and tight joist spaces
Traditional Can Lights
- Profile
- A metal housing that sits above the ceiling
- Install
- Needs more room between the joists
- Light
- Adjustable or gimbal trims can aim the beam
- Upkeep
- Takes many trim styles and bulbs
Best for: Aiming light at art or a wall, or a certain trim style
Already have old cans? An LED retrofit trim screws into the existing can. It is a quick swap that uses less power and gets rid of hot, dim bulbs.
Light Color
Pick the Right Light Color and Brightness
Two numbers on the box decide how a room feels. Kelvin is the color of the light. Lumens is how bright it is. Slide to compare the colors.
How bright?
- Hallways and closetsAbout 500 to 700 lumens per light
- Living and bedroomsAbout 600 to 800 lumens per light
- Kitchens and bathsAbout 800 to 1,000 lumens per light
Many wafer lights let you switch the color with a small dial, so you can choose after they are up.
Kitchens, dining rooms and most of the house. Warm but clean.
Layout
How Many Recessed Lights Does Your Room Need?
A simple starting point: divide the ceiling height by two. An 8-foot ceiling gets lights about 4 feet apart, and about 2 to 3 feet in from the walls. We plan the exact layout with you around the joists and the furniture.
- 8lights
Kitchen
Place lights over the front edge of the counters, not the middle of the floor, so the light lands where you chop and cook.
- 9lights
Living Room
An even grid lights the whole room. Put them on a dimmer for evenings.
- 4lights
Hallway
A single row down the center, spaced so there are no dark gaps.
- 2lights
Bathroom
One over the vanity area and a wet-rated light over the shower or tub.
Counts are for a typical room size. Larger or oddly shaped rooms need more planning.
Finished Ceilings
Adding Recessed Lights to Finished Ceilings in Durham Homes
You do not need to tear open the ceiling. Wafer lights need only a small round hole, and we plan the wire path before the first cut.
With Attic Access
The easiest case. We run the wire across the attic and drop it to each light, so the ceiling only gets the light holes.
Without Attic Access
For rooms under a second floor, we fish the wire through the joist bays. Sometimes that means a few small extra openings, which we patch.
Plaster and Sloped Ceilings
Plaster needs slow, careful cutting to avoid cracks. Sloped and vaulted ceilings need lights made for an angle, so the beam points down.
New lights often need a new circuit, especially in older homes. Our house wiring page covers what that involves.
Details That Matter
Dimmers, Smart Controls and Wet Locations
The right light is only half the job. The switch, the room and the attic above all change what goes in. For full app control, see our smart home installation page.
LED-Rated Dimmers
An old dimmer makes LED lights flicker or hum. We match the dimmer to your lights.
Smart Controls
Run your lights from your phone, a voice assistant or a schedule.
Wet-Rated Lights
Lights over a shower or tub must be rated for wet locations. We install the right type.
Insulation Contact
If insulation touches the light, it must be IC rated, so it does not overheat.
The Process
How We Install Recessed Lights in Durham
Plan the Layout
We mark each light with you, check the joists and pick the light type and color.
Check the Circuit
We make sure the circuit can carry the new lights, or plan a new one.
Cut and Wire
Clean holes, wire fished to each spot, and drop cloths on the floor.
Install and Test
We mount the lights, set the dimmer and test every one.
Clean Up
We patch any extra openings, sweep up the dust and haul away our debris.
Service Area
Recessed Lighting in Durham and the Triangle
We are based in Durham and install recessed lighting in homes and businesses all over the Triangle. Not sure if we come to your town? Call and ask.
Neighborhoods We Serve
View All Service AreasFAQ
Recessed Lighting FAQs
Not sure how many lights your room needs? Call and tell us about the room, and we will tell you what comes next.
Call (984) 271-2113How much does recessed lighting cost to install?
It depends on how many lights you want, whether there is attic access above, the light type and whether a new circuit is needed. After we plan the layout with you, you get a written price.
Can you add recessed lights without attic access?
Yes. We fish the wire through the joist bays from one light to the next. Sometimes a few small extra openings are needed, and we patch them.
Should I choose wafer lights or can lights?
Wafer lights suit most homes. They are thin, need a smaller hole and spread light widely. Cans are better if you want adjustable trims or a certain trim style.
How many recessed lights do I need?
A common starting point is spacing them about half the ceiling height apart. An average living room often needs 6 to 9. We plan the layout around your joists and furniture.
Can I put LED lights in my old cans?
Yes. An LED retrofit trim screws into most existing cans. It uses less power, runs cooler and lasts much longer than old bulbs.
Are recessed lights safe with insulation?
Yes, if they are IC rated. That rating means insulation can touch the light without it overheating. We check what is in your attic and use the right type.
Can recessed lights go in a shower?
Yes, if they are rated for wet locations. Many wafer lights carry that rating. We install the right light and put it on the proper circuit.
Do I need a permit for recessed lighting in Durham?
Adding new lights and a new circuit usually needs one. Swapping old trims for LED retrofits usually does not. When a permit is needed, we pull it and set up the inspection.