Fitting downlights dilemma – fit from below or above?

[JackReacher]

Recently moved house and looking to get some LED downlights fitted to ground floor study, and part of the hallway. I understand the best way is usually to come in from above. Why is this considered the best way? The floor upstairs is large sheets of chipboard which have been glued and nailed down. I understand this is going to be difficult to lift up, and carries risk of cutting into electrics/plumbing.

The alternative seems to be coming up from below, but involves taking down the ceiling, getting the electrics in place and then new plasterboard and skimming. House is 16 years old if it makes any difference.

All rooms need to be decorated with new flooring anyway, so I don’t mind a bit of mess either way, but I’d prefer the easier (and therefore more cost effective option) with less risk of going into some plumbing/electrics.

[JackReacher]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thanks, yes the issue is the wiring I presume. As far as I can tell it's lift the chipboard up (although this may be tricky as some it runs under stud walls, or take ceiling down and run wiring through the joists. Not sure which way the joists run, but was told once they tend to run opposite direction to those in the loft? Access should be ok in terms of both rooms will be empty.

[JackReacher]

Thanks all, seems like both methods are a viable option. Setting a saw to the depth of the chipboard should stop cutting anything important which is a good idea. Think I should probably get some expert advice both on installing and the position of the lights.

The other issue is that the current floor is incredibly squeaky. I could see this going either way, taking them up might make it worse after going back down, or might actually make it better if laid more firmly with better fixing.