How to Choose The Best Downlights For Your Space
What is recessed lighting?
LED downlights are a type of recessed lighting that consists of two components, the housing of the lights and the trims. The housing gets hidden within the ceiling and contains the electrical components of the unit. The trim is the visible, decorative portion of the light, which gives the room and the light its aesthetic. The advantages of LED downlights include simple installation, long life and energy efficiency. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, lumen outputs and color temperatures. This lighting option is commonly seen in kitchens, lobbies, hallways and conference rooms, making them extremely versatile lights.
Depending on your preference and the style of the room where your lights are being installed, you may choose either round or square LED downlights. You can also choose the color temperature, which plays an important part in setting the tone of that room. Warm white is most common for living rooms, dens and other main living spaces. Daylight is common in bathrooms, where people tend to get ready.
Recessed LED downlights come in various sizes, shapes and color temperatures. You can purchase either round or square downlights depending on the look you’re going for within your space. Color temperatures play a large role in the room you’re lighting based on the ambiance you’re looking for within that space.
What is the difference between slim and retrofit LED downlights?
The main difference between retrofit and slim downlights is the fact that retrofits must be installed into a housing can. Both styles are available in the various sizes, shapes and color temperatures described above. They are energy efficient and create a modern look in any space. Both of these are great options to upgrade traditional high hats which typically contain traditional screw-in BR LED light bulbs.
Retrofit LED downlights are quick and easy to install by screwing in the E26 adapter on the retrofit kit into the socket of the housing. Then, simply push the light into the ceiling until its outer edge is flush against the ceiling surface. Retrofits take up more space within your ceiling due to the body of the light.
Slim LED downlights a more modern version of recessed lighting. Also known as ultra thin downlights or pancake lights, these low profile downlights that give your space a sleek, modern look. These lights tend to be edge-lit making them low glare compared to shinier plastic lenses of some other lights. This slim style LED downlight mounts to a junction box (or J-box), which is included with the product. It also has self-leveling springs to ensure a perfect fit in the ceiling. These downlights do not require a housing can and only need about 2” of clearance for installation, taking up less space within your ceiling.
Can I achieve directional lighting with downlights?
If you would like to be able to adjust the angle of your lights, the best recessed lighting option is a gimbal. Gimbals are rotatable downlights, also called eyeball lights, that allow you to focus the light in any direction you need. Maxxima LED gimbals are available in both slim and retrofit styles.
