Lights are the metaphor for hope and happiness. The quality of lights impacts our mood, sight, and total environment. Pot lights, also known as recessed lighting or downlighting, are one of the best lighting solutions for modern homes. It looks smart and illuminates effectively with better control.
Intruducing LitroHub content team. We are a group of experts on home development, sharing our insights with utmost passion. Count on us for a detailed article on pot lights.
In this article we will explain, pot light aka slim panel, how it functions, its types, and qualities, how to install, replace, repair, sustainability aspects, buying guides, and a lot more!
Let’s start!
What is pot light?
Pot lights are modern lights that can be directly installed inside the ceiling or wall. It can be made of LED, fluorescent, halogen etc, but LED is the smartest and most popular.
It comes with three components: housing, trim, and bulb. The housing is the body that holds the light parts. Trim is the visible portion of light that can be decorative or plain. The trim filters balance the light’s color and spread. Finally, the bulb is the part that produces light.
History of pot light
The history of pot light takes us to the 1940s. At that time the concept of installing the light inside the ceiling appeared. This type of light was used in shop and commercial spaces to create balanced lighting. How a product looks in the shop directly affects its sales. Good lighting is essential for that.
In 1956, a company named Halo started producing recessed lights commercially. Their first product was named H1. After the great success of H1, they brought different types of pot lights, H2 to H7 to the market. Those lights are still being sold.
Later on, those lights started gaining popularity in private housing. Previously, incandescent and fluorescent lights were used in pot lights. After the invention of LED lights, it became the best choice for slim panel. LED lights are far more energy-saving and convenient than others.
How pot lights work?
These lights can be made of fluorescent, halogen, or other types, but LED bulbs are most common. LED lights produce light completely differently from other types of light. The full form of LED is light-emitting diode. The diode is a semiconductor microchip that releases light photons when electricity passes.
Other types of light generally use heat to create light. Those lose a lot of electricity to work. LED is the most efficient light option we have. It loses less than 20% of electricity on heat. Thus it uses 80% less electricity than regular bulbs.
Types of pot light
The types of pot lights can be categorized depending on different segments. Let’s take a look at them-
- types depending on size
- types depending on the function
- types depending on the temperature
- types depending on trim
- types depending on the housing
- types depending on the can
Depending on Size
- 4-inch pot lights— are the most stranded size. It is suitable for private houses and decoration purposes. Those pot lights can be easily installed in 4-5 inch deep ceiling holes.
- 6-inch slim panels— have more coverage. Usually used in wider spaces like corridors and stairs. They can also fit in general purposes.
- 8-inch lights— are suitable for commercial purposes. They are large and produce a lot of light. One may consider it for a garage or outdoor light in personal houses.
Not that, there are more sizes like 3, 5, and others, but those are not as common as 4, 6, and 8 inches. The price of pot light goes higher for larger ones.
Depending on function
- Deemable— These lights are great options for bedrooms, reading rooms, and similar places. In those places, you may not need the same power of light all the time. Being able to deem or brighten the light will add another level of comfort.
- Non-dimmable— lights are great for corridors, stairs, kitchens, and all the places you don’t need to change the brightness of the light.
- Temperature changeable— pot lights allow you to change the weave length of the light. This changes the total character of the light. They are mostly about preference but they also have a different purpose too. (more on this in the next part)
- Smart pot lights— are lights that come with convenient technology such as remote control, voice control, or auto turn-off. Some pot lights have advanced sensors that detect your movement and turn it on and off. Those technologies are very convenient and save a lot of energy.
- Wet-rated— pot lights are waterproof and designed for humid conditions like bathrooms.
Depending on temperature
- Warm pot lights— comes with 2700k-3500k weave length of lights. It feels cozy and looks yellowish.
- Balanced pot light— Balanced pot lights have a weave length between 3500k-4500k. Those lights are similar to daylight.
- Cool pot lights— comes with 5000k to 6500k weave length. Those lights look blueish and more clear. ( wait for the temperature guide in the next part)
Some lights have one temperature while some have 3-5 temperature options.
Depending on trim
- Reflector trim— comes with a mirror or reflecting material that increases the brightness and efficiency of the light.
- Buffle trim— is the standard trim that consists of a narrow groove. It blocks extra light from spreading.
- Adjustable trim— has the function of adjusting the direction of the light.
- Decorative trim— comes with decorative material and designs enhancing beauty and aesthetics.
Depending on housing
- For new construction— some pot lights are required to install the light housing in the ceiling cavity. This is a permanent and reliable solution for new houses.
- For older houses— other types of housing systems are easier to install and don’t require access from above.
Depending on can
Can pot lights— come with a can that needs to be inserted inside the ceiling hole?
Canless pot lights— can be installed directly in the fixture.
Wondering how to know which type best suits your house? Check here.
Temperature guide of pot light
The color temperature of lights describes how warm or cool the light is. When choosing a pot light color temperature is a vital factor to consider. Some lights have different color settings which are best if you want more control on light color. Here are the temperature categories of the lights-
- Warm light: 2700K – 3000K (yellowish light)
- Neutral/Balanced light: 3500K – 4500K (white light)
- Cool light: 5000K – 6500K (bluish light)
You may ask what to do with the temperature of a light. Let me explain. In most cases, lights that have neutral color are best. However, warm and cool lights are better suited for specific uses.
The warmer the light, the more comfortable you feel. It has less clarity but has a calm character. Therefore, it is best for bedrooms.
Neutral lights are better for most other spaces, like dining, kitchen, bathroom, etc.
Cool lights are more clear. It improves focus and visibility. So, cool lights are best for reading and workspace.
How many slim panels do you need in a room?
Once you decide to install pot lights the next big question appears— how many lights do you need? And how far they should be from one another.
It depends on a few important factors. The height of the ceiling, light power, and what your preferences are. But for general seamless lighting, you can follow an easy rule.
The pot lights should be half the ceiling height from one another. Let me break it down for you. If your ceiling is 10 feet, the lights should be 5 feet from each other. You can adjust the distance a bit according to your needs and preferences.
How to install a pot light
Installing a slim panel DIY is possible, but one must do it with caution. If you have some experience and tools for household DIYs, It should be easy for you.
The light comes with 3 parts: housing, trim, and bulb. With those essential parts, you will also get some necessary installing tools and a manufacturer’s guide. The manufacturer guide will contain specific directions to install the pot light. Make sure to read that first.
Follow the step-by-step process to install a pot light.
Step 1: Mark the spots
At first, turn off the electric cutout. Mark the specific spots where you want to install your light. Once you decide its time to check if the spot is suitable for the installation. Pot lights must be installed in the spots where no joist, or electrical cables are present. Plus, you will need at least 8 inches of space to install the light. Just drill a hole and insert an 8-inch stick to make sure it’s a good spot to start cutting.
If there is another floor above and there is less than 8-inch space, buy a low-clearance canister.
Step 2: Make a hole
With the pot light, you will receive a template sticker. It indicates the hole size that is right for installing the light housing. Attach the sticker and start cutting around it. Make sure to cut it perfectly or else the housing may not fit.
Step 3: Set the wiring
Once the hole is done, it’s time to work with the cables. Make sure the cutout is still off. Run the wiring from a power source to the hole. Leave at least 16 inches of extra wire.
Step 4: Setting up the junction box
Strip the wire and open the junction box of the light. Insert the cable inside the junction box. Now connect the wiring; black to black, white to white, and ground to ground. Close the junction box.
Step 5: Mount the housing
The housing have some clips that holds the housing once you insert it in the hole. First, pull the clips in so the housing can be mounted easily. Set the housing in the hole and push the clips out. The Housing should be set up tight in the position.
Step 6: Add the trim
The final step is to install the trim. The trim can have a rod spring or coil spring. For rod spring, fold the spring with your hand and set it up in the right position. For coil spring, attach the spring to dedicated spots and push the trim up.
Step 7: Add the light and enjoy
Now insert the right kind of bulb and turn on the electricity. If you have done everything accordingly, the bulb will answer with a glowing light. Congrats, why not make a nice cup of coffee and drink it under the bulb to celebrate the success?
How to replace a pot light
In some pot lights, you just need to remove the bulb and set up a new one. But for some other slim panels the light comes with the trim and cables. Those need a bit of effort to replace. Follow the simple steps below to replace a pot light.
Step 1: Turn off the electricity from the cutout.
Step 2: Pull the pot light from one side and take it out by squeezing the metal sticks.
Step 3: Now there will be a socket. Remove the old bulb from the socket. Keep aside the old light.
Step 4: Now take the new light and attach it to the socket. Once it’s done, squeeze the spring and set the lights in the position.
Step 5: Turn on the cutout and electricity. The light should turn on immediately.
LitroHub’s premium pot light
LitroHub is presenting high-quality stylish recessed/ pot lights in Ontario, Canada. There are a lot of sizes and features to choose from. Those lights come with advanced LED technology that saves up to 88% of electricity and runs over 50,000 hours.
Litrohub’s recessed lights are available in both fixed and adjustable color temperatures.
All the lights come with smooth dimming technology. The installation is also pretty straightforward. Check out our pot light collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years do pot lights last?
LED pot lights generally run over 50,000 hours. That’s at least 5-6 years of service!
Are pot lights a fire hazard?
Usually, pot lights are safe, but they can be a fire hazard if they come into contact with the insulators. The insulator materials can trap the heat and may start a fire. So, make sure to remove the insulation before installing the lights.
Do people put pot lights in bedrooms?
Yes, dimmable pot lights can be great options for bedrooms. Choose a warm-temperature light for the best comfort.
Are pot lights in style?
Yes, pot lights are evergreen and suit well with most styles and tastes. Choose the pot light trim that fits with the surroundings. (most are pretty neutral and add aesthetic character)
Warping up
With the style, convenience, and sustainability, there is no doubt that pot lights are our future. Its provides a clean look and also saves tons of electricity taking us towards a greener world. It’s smart and allows you to control the lights. Get your pot lights today and enjoy long years of seamless lighting.