Good lighting changes how a home feels and how well it works. Whether you are renovating a kitchen, finishing a basement or simply replacing tired fixtures, the type of lighting you choose matters as much as the fixtures themselves. Here is a look at the most popular types of lighting installations for homes in St. John’s, NL, along with what to consider before you start. For more on what we do, see our lighting fixture installation in St. John’s page.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed lights, often called pot lights, sit inside the ceiling so only the trim shows. They give clean, even light and work well in kitchens, living rooms, hallways and basements with lower ceilings. Today’s slim LED models need very little space above the ceiling, which makes them easier to add to existing rooms.
Things to consider
- Insulation: fixtures in a ceiling below an insulated attic must be rated for contact with insulation (IC-rated) and should be airtight to limit heat loss and moisture.
- Layout: spacing and beam angle decide whether a room feels evenly lit or patchy.
- Dimming: make sure the fixtures and the dimmer switch are compatible to avoid flicker or buzzing.
Track Lighting
Track lighting uses a rail mounted to the ceiling or wall with several adjustable heads. Because each head can be aimed, it is a good choice for highlighting artwork, shelving or a kitchen work area. It is also handy where it is difficult to cut into the ceiling, such as rooms with concrete or finished ceilings above.
Track systems can be fed from a single existing ceiling box, so they are often a simpler upgrade than adding several new recessed lights.
Pendant Lighting
Pendants hang from the ceiling on a cord, chain or rod. They are a popular choice over kitchen islands, dining tables and bathroom vanities because they put light right where it is needed and add a design element to the room.
Height and weight both matter. Over an island, pendants are usually hung high enough to keep sight lines clear but low enough to light the counter. Heavier fixtures, including chandeliers, need an electrical box rated to carry their weight.
Under-Cabinet and Accent Lighting
LED strips or puck lights under kitchen cabinets light the counter where you actually work and remove the shadows cast by overhead fixtures. Accent lighting in shelves, stair treads or along baseboards adds atmosphere and can make a home safer to move around at night. These lights are often low-voltage and run from a small transformer or driver, which needs to be located where it can be reached and kept cool.
Outdoor and Security Lighting
Outdoor lighting makes steps, decks and driveways safer during our long, dark winter evenings and helps discourage intruders. Motion-sensor floodlights, wall-mounted fixtures by the door and low-level path lighting are common choices. Every outdoor fixture should be rated for wet locations and built to stand up to wind, salt air, freezing rain and snow, which can be hard on cheaper fixtures.
Why LED Is the Default Choice
Whatever style you choose, LED is now the standard. LEDs use far less energy than incandescent or halogen bulbs, last much longer and produce little heat. When comparing fixtures, look at brightness in lumens rather than watts, and pick a colour temperature that suits the room: warmer light for living spaces and bedrooms, cooler light for kitchens, workshops and garages.
When to Call an Electrician
Swapping a light bulb is a homeowner job. Adding new fixtures, new switches or new circuits is electrical work that must meet the Canadian Electrical Code and usually needs a permit. In Newfoundland and Labrador, electrical permits are issued to registered electrical contractors, so hiring one ensures the work is permitted and inspected. An electrician can also check that existing wiring and boxes are in good shape, which is especially important in older homes. Learn more about our lighting and power installation services.
About ShockFree Electrical
ShockFree Electrical Inc. is based at 24A Mews Pl in St. John’s and serves homeowners in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Conception Bay South, Torbay, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, Flatrock and Holyrood. The company is rated 4.9 stars from 195 Google reviews. To talk about a lighting project, you can reach the team at 709-600-4940.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pot lights be added to an existing ceiling?
Yes. Slim LED recessed lights are designed for retrofit and need very little ceiling space. An electrician can usually run the wiring with only small openings in the ceiling.
Do I need a permit to install new light fixtures?
Replacing a bulb does not need one, but installing new fixtures, switches or circuits is electrical work that typically requires a permit. Your electrical contractor should arrange it.
What type of lighting is best for a kitchen?
Most kitchens work best with layers: recessed lights for general light, under-cabinet lighting for the counters, and pendants over an island or table.
