Canless Recessed Lighting for Sloped Ceiling

For rooms with sloped ceilings, recessed lighting is an ideal solution. By doing this, you can preserve the open feeling that a vaulted ceiling room has, and it won’t interfere with the architectural lines of the room. The considerations outlined in this post will ensure your lighting turns out great, even if the installation is more challenging than it would be on a flat ceiling.

Is There a Way to Light a Sloped Ceiling with Recessed Lighting?

It is common to see drop ceilings in offices, basements, theaters, and schools. Several “tiles” or “panels” are hung below a metal grid. It is often used to conceal air ducts or pipes in previously unfinished areas. It is also known as a secondary ceiling, suspended ceiling, T-bar ceiling, or false ceiling. It’s common for these ceilings to feature recessed ceiling lights, which provide ample illumination without sacrificing headroom.

You’ll need to accommodate some special electrical and structural needs when installing recessed cans, whether you’re building a new drop ceiling or adding them to an existing roof. You can install recessed lights on sloped ceilings by following these steps:

Step 1. Find the right lights: Recessed lighting for your ceiling should take heat into account. Lights may cause fire hazards if they produce too much heat, especially around plastic or fiberglass panels. Due to their cooler running temperature, LED recessed lights are generally preferred over other forms of lighting. 

Additionally, you will want to choose lights with adjustable mounting arms or heavy-duty clips that can be attached to the ceiling supports or bars. Separate mounting plates are available for can-less LED fixtures installed on sloped ceilings.

Step 2. Layout your lights: Show where each light should go in your room with a graph paper drawing. Your ceiling height and the level of ambient light you want should dictate how far apart you place them.

Step 3. Establish Supports: Recessed lights are too heavy to support drop ceilings alone. Additionally, the drop ceiling will move as your structure settles and shifts. You will need four wire supports for each corner of the tile to help hold the lights. It is also possible to use support bars or blocks with an additional frame that rests on the ceiling grid. Ensure that you can mount the light flush with the tile’s surface. T-grid mounting plates are available to support the weight of countless LED downlight fixtures.

Step 4. Cut Holes: Trace the outline of each recessed light on each ceiling tile. Your light installation instructions should tell you what size to cut the opening in and where it should be placed. You can use a keyhole saw or a utility knife to cut the first hole. Set the panel back into its opening after dusting off any loose particles. Don’t worry if you accidentally cut a hole too large; extended goof ring trims can cover any blemishes in your ceiling.

Step 5. Position the lights: Remove one panel next to the one you just cut. Attach the light to the supports and place it over the cut panel. Ensure that it is positioned over the hole.

Step 6. Wire the lights: An electrician can help you wire your lights to power if you aren’t familiar with the process. In most municipalities, a licensed professional must connect and inspect the lights. You should never attempt this if you are not trained to do so.

Step 7. Finish up: Then snap the trim ring onto the housing and place the light bulbs in the cans (if necessary). It’s as simple as turning on the lights!

Types Of LED Recessed Lights For Sloped Ceilings

Adjustable Recessed Light Fixtures: A downward-pointing LED light is more effective than one that follows the pitch of the ceiling. Adjustable lights come in several variations, with their range of motion being the most significant difference.  

Angle-Cut Recessed Light Fixtures: Specifically designed for sloped ceilings, angle-cut fixtures are called Sloped Ceiling Recessed Lights. LED light bulbs or lenses are cut at an angle in the trim under the slope of the aperture. Compared to Angle-Cut fixtures, Adjustable LED fixtures typically cost less and offer more options.

Several Challenges Face the Installation Process

A vaulted ceiling can make installing recessed lights more difficult. If you’re planning to install this type of lighting, ensure your electrician or contractor has experience. The biggest challenges installers face are listed below.

The Working Height: A vaulted ceiling height can be much higher than a flat ceiling, so scaffolding or ladders may be required to reach and install it safely. It is not easy to work overhead while standing on a tall ladder.

Limited Attic Access: It is common for vaulted ceilings to be constructed with roofs directly on top of ceiling joists, preventing overhead access. Therefore, new wiring to the lights is complicated. The wiring between the lights and the wall switch will likely require some access holes in the ceiling and wall.

What is the Best Lighting Placement for Sloping Ceilings?

The process of choosing new ceiling lights can be a fun one! However, are you concerned about how the lights will work on your sloped ceiling? It’s not just your home that has angled ceilings, so you’re not the only one with this problem. We have researched lighting and sloped roofs to save you time and trouble later on.

Ambient Lighting:  

In a vaulted ceiling, the lighting layout should be even to distribute the light evenly. Measure the dimensions of the room and the roof to determine how many lights you need. Due to the slope, the ceiling will be longer.

Task Lighting:

Positioning the light source between you and the surface is essential for adequate task lighting. Taking this picture from a cathedral ceiling is difficult due to the height of the top. Due to this, task lighting from tall ceilings isn’t ideal, especially from angled ceilings. 

Accent Lighting:

A sloped ceiling can highlight artwork hanging on the wall if it is directly below, but accent lighting is more difficult from a sloped roof. Most recessed fixtures cannot compensate for the pitch of a top. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Have Recessed Lighting with a Slanted Ceiling?

Sloped ceilings require special consideration when installing recessed lights. To ensure the beam of light shines in the correct direction, you’ll need recessed light fixtures designed for sloped ceilings. In the case of flat roofs, recessed lights shine directly into your eyes.

How Do You Make a Light Fixture Work on a Sloped Ceiling?

With a sloped ceiling adapter, pendant lights and ceiling fans that use downloads can be hung straight from sloped ceilings. Adapters are typically installed between the LED light’s canopy and down rod to work with the original hanging hardware.

Conclusion

Rooms with sloped ceilings can benefit from LED recessed lights. Using the correct type of light and having them installed professionally by an experienced professional is one of the best things homeowners can do to ensure the best possible result.