Canless LED vs can recessed lights


  #1  
Old 12-19-19, 04:34 PM
N
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: US
Posts: 18
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Canless LED vs can recessed lights

We will be renovating our kitchen soon and installing 8 recessed LED lights. The room will be gutted which will allow easy light installation. What are the pros/cons for canless LED vs a standard recessed can with LED insert?
 
  #2  
Old 12-19-19, 04:42 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,939
Received 3,951 Upvotes on 3,544 Posts
I just did an install with four 4" canless LED's in a bedroom and eight 4" canless in a living room.
Customer purchased the lights.
I was greatly surprised with the light and the easy install.
This install was in a plaster ceiling so I purchased a 4-1/8" carbide dust hole saw. Perfect job.

They were by Commercial Electric (home depot).
They have a three postion switch to set the color from daylight to warm white.
(We used a Lutron Maestro dimmer and they dimmed perfectly.)

Four pack of LED's
 
  #3  
Old 12-19-19, 04:44 PM
Tolyn Ironhand's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 14,332
Received 877 Upvotes on 740 Posts
IMO if you install a standard can you can change them to something different down the road. Also, I find it easier to rough in the cans with the ceiling open and you can see all the pipes, framing, and ductwork.
 
  #4  
Old 12-19-19, 07:05 PM
Z
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 6,095
Received 422 Upvotes on 375 Posts
I've switched over to the canless recessed lights. Easy to install and can fit into spaces that the full-size cans can't.

I usually run the cable to the location with an extra foot. Put the drywall up with a 1" hole to pull the cable through, then a rotary tool to cut the 4" holes. Probably would have been more precise with a hole saw, but it worked well.

If you're going to install a lot of LEDs in your house, regardless of the type, I'd always get an extra couple in case one or two go bad. Since different manufacturers all have slightly different light (color temps, etc), it's easier to just swap it.

Also - be sure the ones you use are IC rated if in contact with insulation!
 
  #5  
Old 12-20-19, 03:17 AM
Marq1's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA MI
Posts: 9,745
Received 1,210 Upvotes on 1,098 Posts
IMO if you install a standard can you can change them to something different down the road.
That would be my thought, the canless are great for old work, but if new Id out in cans and hard wire, you eliminate all those power packs plus have the freedom to put in any type of LED, CFL, incandescent, or who knows what will be the trend in 20 years!
 
  #6  
Old 12-20-19, 04:32 AM
P
Group Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NC, USA
Posts: 27,657
Received 2,153 Upvotes on 1,928 Posts
I'm a vote for a traditional can with an LED bulb. It's basically future proof and you will always be able to find bulbs. With canless what do you do when one of the lights dies several years from now? Will you be able to find an identical fixture or will you have to replace all of them in the room so they look the same?
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: