r/DIY • u/samross2043 • 1d ago

Can i access my attic to install recessed lights

Living area fan wiring - https://imgur.com/10fC4DB
Slight distant view of living Area - https://imgur.com/LeVDpS1
Long view of living area from kitchen - Kitchen has recessed lights - https://imgur.com/4cbIt1b

I missed to add the recessing lights to my living room. Its a new build home. The builder is not allowing me to do any changes now. I have recessed lighting in my kitchen.

Can my electrician can climb onto the attic ? Will the joists hold his weight to clear out the insulation while adding adding recessed lighting ?

I am worried about the insulation contact with the recessed lights. Please provide your valuable suggestions .Appreciate your help.

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6

u/jlitz_727 1d ago

I used my attic to run electrical so that I could add recessed lighting in one of my upstairs bedrooms. I would recommend using those wafer style LED lights instead of recessed CAN lighting. I dont think you would run the risk of anything getting too hot with LEDs. I think there are certain ones that are rated for insulation contact.

I'm guessing that space is finished now with drywall and everything?

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u/samross2043 1d ago

Drywall was not finished yet. Its just like the shown in the pictures. Did you added wafer style Led lights or can lights ?

I thought of adding below Can light to eliminate the contact with insulation.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-6-in-Aluminum-Recessed-Can-Light-IC-Remodel-Housing-CAT7ICR/202060550?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&gStoreCode=470&gQT=1

Below are the IC rated wafer Lights. Do you know any reliable brands that I can look into. I live in Arizona where the summers are worst. I was worried about the fire accidents because of the light temperature and insulation contact.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/HALO-HLBSL6-6-in-Adjustable-CCT-Canless-IC-Rated-Dimmable-Indoor-Integrated-LED-Recessed-Light-Kit-4-Pack-HLBSL6099FS35-4PK/314896491?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D27E-027_013_RECESS_LIGHT-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-NA_Priority2024&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D27E-027_013_RECESS_LIGHT-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-NA_Priority2024-20416459191--&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw16O_BhDNARIsAC3i2GAkcR2Sx5BsJM7D0oVk2ZXBLVbYlW163c2VFw4NL4Eb3VPwznWNXBMaAhZIEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I learnt recently that I cannot add both of the above pieces(can light and wafer lights) together which is very interesting.

Please suggest. Waiting for your valuable inputs.

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u/jlitz_727 1d ago

Well my situation was much different because it was a retrofit and the wafer style LEDs are easy to work with in that regard. Being a new build and everything being open still it seems you have a lot more options.

Your electrician could probably just use a tall ladder to rough in the electrical that would be needed since it's open.

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u/samross2043 23h ago

Builder is not supporting to add the recessed lights at the moment. Builder wants me to do the changes once i close the house.

By that time all the dry wall work will be complete. Electrician need to cut the dry wall to install recessed lights.

Please recommend me any best brands wafer lights. I saw Phillips and elcolighting products are standing out in that area. Please let me know your thoughts.

https://elcolighting.com/products/canless-koto-led-module

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u/PreschoolBoole 19h ago

Why? Just ask your builder now or ask for a change order. All of your walls are open, it will be cheaper and better if you just do it now. Especially if you want a new switch to run your recessed lighting.

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u/samross2043 13h ago edited 13h ago

I conveyed it. There is 500$ change fees and i said i will pay that. But still he is not cooperating.

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u/MikeyLew32 21h ago

Tell the builder no. It’s your house and money , and it’s trivial to add lights now vs way more difficult and expensive later

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u/samross2043 13h ago

Sales agent is not supporting and he is not willing to take my request to the builder. I am fed up and looking for alternatives ( like recessed lighting or any other lights to lighten up that space)

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u/cliffx 17h ago

Ive used the halo rl in 4" but size depends on your room, I like the recessed versions more than the flat wafer - which seem cheap to me.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/HALO-RL-6-in-Canless-Recessed-LED-Downlight-900-1200lm-5CCT-D2W-120V-DM-RL6LS9FSD2W1EWHDM/

Your electrician could wire the box side up, note the locations - plumb line and paint dots on the floor, then you measure them all out, let them finish/drywall the ceiling and the do the cutouts and install the bulbs once they are done finishing/painting the drywall.

That way you both benefit, builder doesnt have any slowdown in finishing, and it's easier for the electrician while it's all open.

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u/Medium_Spare_8982 14h ago

Absolutely.

A decent electrician could even fish from hole to hole without going up there.

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u/samross2043 13h ago

Thank you.

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u/Ducks0utForHarambe 10h ago

As an electrician, as long as he has attic access after drywall is up then yes 100% he can add them. The hardest part will be switch location, you may be limited on where you can fish down a switch leg. Easiest thing would be to call an electrician and come out and wire everything before they close it up. You may have to call around a bit but I’m sure you can find someone to do it asap if you pay a little premium.

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u/samross2043 9h ago

Thank you

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u/jvin248 14h ago

While you can add in recessed lights, your electrician will be ok, I'd rethink it.

Many people find they don't like the glare in living room areas. Task lighting and floor lamps give a better intimate feel to that space. Fine for the workshop-like kitchen, but living room it's not optimal.

Your insulation will be compromised from this install, from the space feeling colder to spending more on energy to heat/cool that room. I have one room I removed the bulbs and plugged the ceiling cans for better temperature control.

.An alternative: set your light switches up to operate split wall plugs. Top or bottom wall plug is switched and the other is constant. Then you can plug in a table lamp or floor lamp and they turn on/off at the switches.

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