Lighting - HELP?  
Select one of the 11 topics below:

1 - Where Should / Can Lighting Be Located?

2 - New Construction or Remodel housing?

3 - Insulated, Double Wall, and Air Tight housings

4 - Bulbs - Types of Bulbs and Their Usage

5 - Housing Diameters and Bulb Usage

6 - Trims

7 - Low Voltage (12V) or Line Voltage (120V) MR16 Bulbs?

8 - Lighting Controls - Setting the mood of your lighting system

9 - Choosing the Proper Housing and Trim

10 - Sloped Ceiling Housing and Trim Information

11 - Retrofit / Conversion Kits & Tools

2 -  New Construction or Remodel housing?

6 inch dia.

4 inch dia.

New Construction Housings  are installed between the ceiling joists in the attic space or between floor joists and are usually installed prior to installation of ceiling material like dry wall.  They are actually mounted to the joist using adjustable bars that are attached to the joist with cleats, nails, or screws.  Therefore the housing is supported by the joist and not the ceiling material.  If the ceiling material is installed, "New Construction" housing installation will require access from the other side of the ceiling (attic space).  New Construction housings can be installed in existing structure as long as there is sufficient access above the ceiling - like an attic space - to install the housing. (4" & 6" diameter pictured above - also available in 3" & 5" diameter)

6 inch dia.

4 inch dia.

Remodel Housings pictured above are installed in the ceiling material, do not tie into the ceiling or floor joist, and are totally supported by the ceiling material.  They are used where attic access is not available or where space is available but extremely hard to access.  These housings can also be used where there is adequate space to install a "New Construction" housing but you simply prefer to use a "Remodel Housing". "Remodel Housings" are installed through the hole cut in the ceiling where the housing is permanently installed.  They are clipped to the ceiling material via 4 metal spring clips that are pushed into place and locked from inside the housing.  Therefore, no above ceiling access is required to install or remove these housings.  They are designed to accommodate a large range of ceiling material thickness.  (4" & 6" diameter pictured above - also available in 3" & 5" diameter)

Remember:  All lighting will require the appropriate electrical wiring be routed from the switch and connected to the housing(s).  A suitable power wire, usually 12 gauge Romex, should be used for supplying power to multiple lights and to switches.  14 gauge Romex can be used to supply power to a single light from a switch or dimmer however this use is usually current limited to 15 Amps.  This means that if your electrical supply is from a 20 Amp breaker, you need to run 12 gauge wire - not 14 gauge.  Most building codes allow Romex to be used in walls and attic spaces.  Wires that are routed on the exterior of walls must be contained in a suitable metal conduit.  Flexible and rigid conduit is available at your local home improvement store.  Standard insulated wire is pulled through the conduit.  Romex is NEVER used in conduit.