[truwebs]

Hello All!

Looking for recommendations on lighting for new basement finished in a dropped ceiling.


How do I calculate the recommended number and size of lights?
Mount to ceiling joists or ceiling panels? I believe there are some LED options to mount to panels instead of joists.
Incandescent or LED for dimmable switch?

I have 2 areas that measure 20x13 ft.

Any big box DIY brand names you recommend? Or, big savings buying online?

Last time I did basement lighting I simply used incandescent recessed cans from Home Depot. Now with LED lights, seems like it is a whole new world of lighting.

I will have these 2 areas on the same dimmer switch circuit. So... lights need to be DIMMABLE.

Thanks in advance for any insight and recommendations.

TRU

 

[christoff]

Here you go: https://blog.recessedlighting.com/recessed-lighting-calculator/

 

[Sdiver2489]

You need to determine a lot of this on your own for what look you want. I just finished my basement and mine are spaced every other panel (or 4 feet apart). Why did I choose that? Because my joist spacing is 16" and 16" x 3 = 48". So spacing them like that allowed me to fit standard cans into all my joist cavities without having to space them off center in the grid.

I personally would recommend sticking to standard cans. Sure, you can get LED fixtures, but then, when they burn out, you are stuck with one light that looks completely different than the rest.

Or you can do retrofit LEDs that include the trim, but again, why pay more for trim that doesn't need to be replaced?

I bought Philips Warm Glow BR30 bulbs as they are one of the best performing bulbs I have found that have no flicker and no buzz on my dimmers (lutron Caseta).

The bulbs are super cheap, I bought the trim of my choose and the standard cans are super cheap.

The only area I used different is in the storage closet. There every joist cavity was filled with ductwork so I used these guys:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-HL...-5000K-No-Can-Needed-HLB6099FS1EMWR/306051064

Very nice light but much more expensive than standard cans. Also the light is flush with the surface so you get more intense light instead of diffuse light.

 

[NotYerUncleBob2]

The Halo canless LED are nice. Super easy to install, selectable color temp, don't need clearance, and I just saw them for $17 each so pretty cheap too.

 

[truwebs]

The Halo canless LED are nice. Super easy to install, selectable color temp, don't need clearance, and I just saw them for $17 each so pretty cheap too.

Do you have a link you can share to the $17 canless LEDs?

Sdiver shared the following in a previous post.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-HLB...EMWR/306051064

I will probably have to go canless. In one area of the basement where I will place 12 lights, 3 lights (full row) is obstructed by ductwork. No room for cans where ductwork is. :cursing::cursing:

Thanks,

TRU

 

[NotYerUncleBob2]

Do you have a link you can share to the $17 canless LEDs?

It was just one of those end of the aisle displays. 4" selectable color temp, slim, canless, led.
...now that I think about it I'm going to pick up a bunch next time I'm in there.

 

[NotYerUncleBob2]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-HL...it-No-Can-Needed-HLBSL4069FS351EMWR/311574836

But they're not $17. They're actually $15.88

 

[truwebs]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-HL...it-No-Can-Needed-HLBSL4069FS351EMWR/311574836

But they're not $17. They're actually $15.88

Those are the 4" lights.

Here are the 6" lights for just under $17

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-HLB-6-in-White-Selectable-CCT-New-Construction-and-Remodel-Recessed-Integrated-LED-Direct-Mount-Kit-No-Can-Needed-HLBSL6099FS351EMWR/311575585?MERCH=REC-_-visuallysimilar_1_0-_-311574836-_-311575585-_-N