Can you put recessed lights in a drop ceiling ?

Question

Can you put recessed lights in a drop ceiling ?

Answer 1

Certianly. Go to any lighting section in any home improvment store...you'll see several.

Answer 2

Sure can, but read your warnings and safety features before you buy one, you might have to hang it by wire so the ceiling doesn't dip.

Answer 3

Sure - there are even "cans" with adjustable metal mounting brackets that are designed to lock onto the T-bar grid.  Makes installation a snap.  Remember that CODE requires cabling to be supported above such a ceiling, independant from the ties that hold the ceiling.  I am always annoyed when I open a ceiling tile and find bundles of cable lying on the grid because a lazy installer  didn't bother to support his work.

Answer 4

Absolutely! I assume that you are referring to an acoustical grid/tile ceiling. Most recessed can lights come with adjustable mounting arms that can either be nailed between joists, or in your case snapped over the grid main runners.

Make sure that you follow the minimum safe clearances for your particular light. By that I mean make sure that you don't install your light too close to combustible materials. This should be labeled on the light itself at a minimum. If in doubt consult an electrician. Good luck!

Answer 5

Personally I think a drop ceiling actually makes it easier.  Wiring can be a little bit of a pain, because you can't walk above the ceiling on the joists, but you'd be amazed what a fishing pole can help with during home improvement.  Running wires in a drop ceiling with non removable ceiling tiles is deffiently a two man job though (unless you're compleatly re-doing the drop ceiling.)  I've actually seen some really creative ways to wire drop ceilings, one of the most fun was running a pull string with an RC car, then again we did lose one RC car some where in the guy's ceiling, but it actually worked fairly well.

Answer 6

Yes you can, they have several different type. They have for new construction, Renovating. Some to be used with no insulation or shielded for insulation. The ones with the expandable adjustable brackets is probably best for you

Answer 7

go to a lighting supply store and describe your situation of a dropped ceiling, the distance between the old and new ceilings, whether or not you will be using the old wiring and light bases, or if there are ceiling joists exposed to affix your new fixtures to with adaptor brackets, that will allow for required clearances. any good lighting supplier will be able to help you make the right and safe choices of fixtures and styles to suit your decorating tastes. and situation.

Answer 8

sure, you just have to stabilize the fixture in the floor joists above.