Adding downlighters?
Discussion
I live in a newish build (about 12 years old), and am just in the process of a full redecorate. I love the house, but the hall and landing are very dark, plus it has terrible ‘council’ chandeliers. Darkness will hopefully be solved in part with a sun chimney or similar, but I’d like to change the lights for downlighters. As a new build, everything is plasterboard, but how easy/how much would it be to change two fixed light points for maybe 12 downlighters?
I know the lights themselves are cheap, it’s more about how they would route cables from existing points, or would it require removal of the ceiling plasterboard and replacement?
Thanks. I can rebuild an engine but electricity scares me, as does the Mrs.
I know the lights themselves are cheap, it’s more about how they would route cables from existing points, or would it require removal of the ceiling plasterboard and replacement?
Thanks. I can rebuild an engine but electricity scares me, as does the Mrs.
Quite hard.....
There are joists that run from wall to wall - the plasterboard ceiling is fixed to them - that makes multiple cuboids above the ceiling
Running cable along each cuboid is straight foward, but not so much between them.....
It's possible, with a little mess, but not entirely straightforward because of the cable runs.
Each downlight has to comfortably miss the joists also,
There are joists that run from wall to wall - the plasterboard ceiling is fixed to them - that makes multiple cuboids above the ceiling
Running cable along each cuboid is straight foward, but not so much between them.....
It's possible, with a little mess, but not entirely straightforward because of the cable runs.
Each downlight has to comfortably miss the joists also,
BaldOldMan said:
Quite hard.....
There are joists that run from wall to wall - the plasterboard ceiling is fixed to them - that makes multiple cuboids above the ceiling
Running cable along each cuboid is straight foward, but not so much between them.....
It's possible, with a little mess, but not entirely straightforward because of the cable runs.
Each downlight has to comfortably miss the joists also,
Suspected as much, but many thanks for the feedback. Might stay with the two ceiling roses and get something a bit more tasteful. It’s not a forever house, so something acceptable is ok.There are joists that run from wall to wall - the plasterboard ceiling is fixed to them - that makes multiple cuboids above the ceiling
Running cable along each cuboid is straight foward, but not so much between them.....
It's possible, with a little mess, but not entirely straightforward because of the cable runs.
Each downlight has to comfortably miss the joists also,
Good timing, literally has these 3 fitted today. We had a single pendant so meant the L Shaped landing was horrid and gloomy it's a town house so bedroom and ensuite above. Its transformed the area and I absolutely love it. He didn't lift any boards, I was out at work so unsure how he did it...but he did.
We did it post-decoraring but our spark filled the hole from the original light fitting and didn't cause any damage running the cables so minimal touching up to do
The original light was to the left of the smoke alarm in the first picture so it was always dark around the corner, not anymore though!
We did it post-decoraring but our spark filled the hole from the original light fitting and didn't cause any damage running the cables so minimal touching up to do
The original light was to the left of the smoke alarm in the first picture so it was always dark around the corner, not anymore though!
Belle427 said:
Doing them upstairs is easy with attic access but downstairs not so.
Id only ever attempt them downstairs by lifting the floor above.
My folks came and let him in and apparently he managed to fish the wires through, I'm guessing its luck of the draw when it comes to joists etc. When he came he said its not the end of the day as they can notch a little bit out of and go around it if needed. Just means a little bit more making good so not the end of the world if the floor above cant be lifted like ours.Id only ever attempt them downstairs by lifting the floor above.
Greendubber said:
miniman said:
O/T - did you fit the oak doors? If so, where did you source them please! Looks lovely, really like the grey.
The chap who did the stairs fitted them and I'm not sure where he got them from. All I know is 8 of them are fire doors and are obscenely heavy! ChevronB19 said:
I live in a newish build (about 12 years old), and am just in the process of a full redecorate. I love the house, but the hall and landing are very dark...
Perhaps not think 'add some downlighters' think "I need more lighting".picture lights, uplights, stairlights, led strips, wall lamps. Consider pro and cons of each/combination of them, more so as you are doing a full decoration, and also looking to stay there long term.
Edited by hyphen on Sunday 22 December 22:10
Greendubber said:
Good timing, literally has these 3 fitted today. We had a single pendant so meant the L Shaped landing was horrid and gloomy it's a town house so bedroom and ensuite above. Its transformed the area and I absolutely love it. He didn't lift any boards, I was out at work so unsure how he did it...but he did.
We did it post-decoraring but our spark filled the hole from the original light fitting and didn't cause any damage running the cables so minimal touching up to do
The original light was to the left of the smoke alarm in the first picture so it was always dark around the corner, not anymore though!
This all looks great! Do you know what colour your walls are?We did it post-decoraring but our spark filled the hole from the original light fitting and didn't cause any damage running the cables so minimal touching up to do
The original light was to the left of the smoke alarm in the first picture so it was always dark around the corner, not anymore though!
Thanks!
garylythgoe said:
Greendubber said:
Good timing, literally has these 3 fitted today. We had a single pendant so meant the L Shaped landing was horrid and gloomy it's a town house so bedroom and ensuite above. Its transformed the area and I absolutely love it. He didn't lift any boards, I was out at work so unsure how he did it...but he did.
We did it post-decoraring but our spark filled the hole from the original light fitting and didn't cause any damage running the cables so minimal touching up to do
The original light was to the left of the smoke alarm in the first picture so it was always dark around the corner, not anymore though!
This all looks great! Do you know what colour your walls are?We did it post-decoraring but our spark filled the hole from the original light fitting and didn't cause any damage running the cables so minimal touching up to do
The original light was to the left of the smoke alarm in the first picture so it was always dark around the corner, not anymore though!
Thanks!
Greendubber said:
miniman said:
O/T - did you fit the oak doors? If so, where did you source them please! Looks lovely, really like the grey.
The chap who did the stairs fitted them and I'm not sure where he got them from. All I know is 8 of them are fire doors and are obscenely heavy! Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff