Need a little help with # of recessed lights to install

Mazeroth

I'm going to be installing recessed lighting in our 24 x 14.5 x 8 living room. The plan now is to use 6" cans (75w max) with two dimmers, one dimming the back and one dimming the front of the room. As of now I'm planning on using 8 total, spaced roughly 4 feet from the walls and 5.5 feet apart in a 2x4 grid. Lots of web sites contradict each other with how many you need and how far apart they are so I'm looking for a little advice from people that have them in their homes. How far apart are yours and do they provide adequate lighting. This will be the primary lighting for the room with little to no use from lamps (if we even buy any). I'm thinking the more the better as we can always dim them or use lower wattage bulbs if it's too bright. However, I don't want to put something like 12 lights in (some sites are recommending this) and it be way too bright.

Thanks in advance for any input!

DollarDave

You will need more for evenly dispersed light. Personally, I would go with more with 60 watt bulbs as oppesed to 75 and have control over the intensity with the high quality dimmers. What you need is a measure of the lumans it takes to effectively light an area. Many good web sites to calculate that. I used one when I built an excercise room and it is spot on.

ben62670

Hire a good electrician. I was an electrician for years, and a good electrician will be able to tell you what you need. There are too many variables to DIY the project, and a pro should be used.
Ben

dorokusai

You should stimulate the economy and hire an electrician.

SKsolutions

dorokusai wrote: »

You should stimulate the economy and hire an electrician.

If you stimulate the electrician, it might be more economical

SCompRacer

I have a 14' x 22' family room and used 8 cans with 65 watt flood bulbs. Each bank of four is on a separate dimmer. A pic of the room is in my showcase.

SKsolutions

If you have the ceiling open, go nuts. This came out nice. . 5'' cans and cove lighting. I hate 6'', and you need too many 4's. There are new codes out for these in my area, so check before you do any of your own work. We had to use the fire rated shields, even on a renovation.

ben62670

I was stimulated a few times being an electrician. My Boss didn't like me killing the circuit all the time when we worked on them:eek:

zingo

ben62670 wrote: »

I was stimulated a few times being an electrician.

Oh boy...

stim⋅u⋅late
   /ˈstɪmyəˌleɪt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [stim-yuh-leyt] Show IPA
Pronunciation
verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to rouse to action or effort, as by encouragement or pressure; spur on; incite: to stimulate his interest in mathematics.
2. Physiology, Medicine/Medical. to excite (a nerve, gland, etc.) to its functional activity.
3. to invigorate (a person) by a food or beverage containing a stimulant, as coffee, tea, or alcoholic liquor.
–verb (used without object)
4. to act as a stimulus or stimulant.

So which one was it Ben?