Downlights – Lighting Up Your Home In Style

By Author: Samantha Dale
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A downlight, also known as a ‘pot light,’‘can light’ or ‘recessed light’ is a light fitting which is mounted in a vacant depression, in a ceiling, with light from the fixture directed downwards. The ‘trim’ is the only visible element of the fixture, making it discreet and stylish at the same time. A downlight is so versatile that it can used to light up any part of your home for an air of sophistication. Read on for more information on the different types of home downlights.

There are two basic types of home downlights – the high power 240V downlights which are typically used in areas where more light is needed and the purse-friendly, low-voltage downlight which consumes lesser power and employs halogen bulbs. The difference between them also lies in the kind of globe used. Low-voltage downlight fittings can be a little cumbersome, since they almost always require transformers to scatter some of the heat produced and secure the circuitry. The stronger-power downlight can operate on the mains power directly.

Although mains downlights have lower installation costs, you will need to spend a lot more ...
... on changing the bulbs from time to time. Earlier, only standard downlights were manufactured. These had the usual screw-in openings and extra large bulbs which acted as floodlights, consumed more power and required larger investments in the way of bulb replacements. As a result, manufacturers developed energy-efficient and cost-effective downlights with halogen bulbs. Another advantage of low-voltage downlights is that they often come with dimmers, so you can set the tone of your home as per your requirements.

Nowadays people are experimenting with more energy-efficient bulbs in downlight installations. Even among the low-voltage lights, conventional halogen bulbs tend to spawn carbon emissions. They also need to be fitted in larger numbers to generate more light, with more heat produced as an obvious consequence. However, you can opt for extra low-voltage halogen bulbs (12V), Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights or Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) fixtures. These types of home downlights are economical lighting alternatives which consume remarkably lesser power and can persistently endure for much longer periods – often 50 times more than regular halogen bulbs. In fact, the latest LED bulbs are estimated to last for as much as 50,000 hours.

When choosing your downlight globe, it is important to know what kind of beam intensity you would like for the area you have in mind. The term used to measure beam intensity is called ‘beam spread.’ For overall lighting purposes, it is ideal to install downlights with an average beam spread of 60. However, if you want to accentuate something with a downlight, try using a light with a lower beam spread of approximately 40. In places where soft lighting is needed you can also use the dimmer to tone it down.

Where can one position downlights in the home? The answer to that would be ‘almost anywhere!’ One of the unique applications of a downlight is highlighting particular pieces of memorabilia or art in a showcase or on the wall. You can install downlights in your kitchen ceiling for an unobtrusive, clear working space. Downlights are also commonly used in bathrooms. When installed in showers, they make use of a surface made of mirrored glass that is almost joined to the ceiling. However, make sure your bathroom downlights are heat and water resistant, on account of steam and moisture associated with this particular space.

Downlights can effectively add character to your outdoors as well. Try installing them in your garden bushes and trees to give your house an ethereal atmosphere after sunset, directing them to the stone path in your garden, or installing them over other landscaped areas such as ponds and waterfalls to give your garden a tantalizing air. You can also use masked downlightingnear stairs, stairwells or garden steps. Alternately give your porch a stylish look with artistically placed downlights.

Downlights can be an excellent choice for normal homes as well as those with specific needs for lighting schemes. However, if you are a do-it-yourself aficionado, then they may be a tad bit impractical as far as installations are concerned. Keep the safety precautions in mind, choose the right downlights for your room and give your home the ‘feel good’ factor it deserves!

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