Recessed lights won't fit

heyjoe91

Hi,

I am installing 6" new construction IC recessed cans in my house. I cut all my holes and then realized that the normal cans won't fit in the ceiling joist. It's maybe only a few cm off but I don't want to put preasure on the light which will put preasure on the plaster below it. I think the light will fit on the stud but the plaster bumps up a little higher than the stud not allowing the light to sit all the way down. Is there a way to shave down the plaster from the inside without damage? I can buy the shallow cans but they are double the price and they don't come in contractor 6 packs like they have at home depot. In addition, you can't put larger bulbs in those shallow cans. Is there any room on the top of the cans that I can dent them in a little (probably not a good idea)? It's really just off a small fraction of an inch. I bought the Halo brand. Do other brands have slightly different specs that might be more shallow.

Thanks,
Mike

joecaption

Is there an attic above the ceiling, or just a second floors rooms floor?
If it's just a room above it then you should not need an I/C fixture.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooper-Lightin...xp_grid_pt_2_0

Jim Port

If the ceiling is already in you want remodel cans, not new construction housings.

Breaking the plaster keys off above the ceiling may cause the plaster to fall.

Progress has a mounting bar that adjusts for the ceiling thickness.

__________________
Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

heyjoe91

The floor above it was an attic with insulation but now converting to a master bedroom. I want to keep the insulation in there to reduce sound travel. Since I have access up there I want to use new construction. I feel that they hold up better. Are the old construciton lights more shallow than the new construciton?

joecaption

There will be no differance on how they "hold up".

If a can light will not fit in there then I'd be very concered with trying to build a room up there, Better be checking floor joist spans and widths.

Jim Port

You could fur the joist up to provide the 1/2" clearance needed.

__________________
Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

heyjoe91

Thanks, I appreciate the concern. They must be 2x8's but the plaster must be eating up an extra half inch on the bottom. I have permits for the work being done and had blueprints done and approved by the town so I hope that means it will hold up.

I think I just need to buy the shallow cans and move on.

I always like putting in the new construction cans when I can because (even if it's not true) I feel they are strong and won't creep down. Since I will be finishing the room above it maybe I should use remodel cans. Otherwise if the fixture goes in the future I won't be able to get the housing out to replace.

bobelectric

www.E-conolight.com

heyjoe91

Thanks but the lights they have (which they say will fit in 2x8) are 7.5" in height just like the Halo and commercial electric.

Thank you all for the help. I'm going to buy the shallow cans and make my life easier.

jbfan

I'm not getting the picture, but thats not unusual for me.
All cans have some adjustment so they can slide up and down the bracket.

__________________
Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

heyjoe91

Yes, you can move the inside housing up and down but that only adjusts the bulb. The outside housing doesn't adjust up and down.

jbfan

What kind of fixture do you have.
Most will adjust to fit 1/2" to 5/8" sheetrock.

__________________
Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

heyjoe91

I have the Halo cans. I'll check tonight if they can be adjusted but I don't think so. Maybe I can take out the mounting clip to get an extra half inch.

AllanJ

Usually the housing can be unscrewed and removed completely, for such purposes ad getting access to the wire connections box after installation.

You may be able to remove the housing, drill a few extra holes in it, and replace it in a lower position as if it slid up and down. (It still won't slide up and down unless the extra holes you made were long ovals.)

__________________
The disadvantages of crab apple trees. In summer, the apples are too sour to pick and eat. In winter the birds come and leave dropping all over the place.

brric

Get shallow cans. Halo H27ICAT.