New Construction Recessed Lighting Housings

New construction housings are affixed to the ceiling supports before the surface of the ceiling is installed during the construction process. Builders have a choice of new construction housings -- either "insulation contact (IC) housings or non-IC rated housings. IC housings can come into direct contact with the insulation and non-IC housings cannot come anywhere within three inches of the home's insulation.

Where Recessed New Construction Housings Work Best

The pre-construction phases provide a blank canvas to design all aspects of a home. Recessed new construction housings make a great choice when it comes to adding recessed lighting throughout the home. This style of housing is versatile in that it can be installed during the home building process and sometimes at any point if an electrician or contractor can access the intended ceiling through the home's attic. The housings feature a durable construction to last many years and typically feature a replaceable LED module. New construction recessed lighting may also carry a lower price point than the remodeled versions of housing.

Different Styles of Recessed New Construction Housings

The different types of recessed lighting housings for new construction vary based on their proximity to the home's insulation. Insulation contact (IC) rated housings are designed to come into contact with the insulation. Non-IC rated housings must be placed farther than three inches from any home insulation and must have no contact with the insulation. The new construction recessed lighting housings are available in a variety of sizes as related to the diameter of the lamp's circular opening. Depending on the new construction recessed lighting selected, the most common sizes include four, five and six inch diameters, with the latter two being most widely selected.

Choosing the Best Recessed New Construction Housings

Before selecting new construction housings, it is important to identify the type of housing that is best suited for the space receiving the lights. Accessibility to the ceiling and the current layout of insulation both impact the type of housing that will work for the location. The diameter size of the circular opening for the lamp is another significant factor, ensuring that the housing is the correct size for its intended lamp. Another technical component to consider is whether the recessed lighting will require line or low voltage. Line voltage will allow the lights to operate off of the typical 120 volt current for the home. Low voltage offers a more energy efficient option, running power through a 12 volt current and requiring a special transformer. Choose line voltage for general illumination of a room or low voltage for accent and task lighting.

Other Considerations

Recessed lighting offers great versatility to the home's illumination needs. Consider other lovely lighting options like track lighting or suspension lighting for a more dramatic approach to lighting in different rooms of the house. Wall sconces can offer a unique accent while table lamps provide limitless possibilities for achieving just the right lighting effects throughout the home. Finally, consider setting the mood using recessed lighting with the help of a light dimming switch.