How far apart should recessed lights be?

A common rule of thumb is 4 to 6 feet apart. The best spacing depends on the fixture's beam angle, brightness and the ceiling height, and makers publish a spacing guide for each model. The electrician lays out the room before cutting any holes.

Can you add recessed lights without opening the ceiling?

Usually, yes. In a finished ceiling the electrician cuts holes for the fixtures and fishes wire through the space above. Some access and drywall patching may be needed where joists, ducts or other wiring are in the way.

Are LED recessed lights worth it?

LED recessed lights use less power than older halogen cans and last much longer, and many are slim enough to retrofit without a bulky housing. Color temperature and dimming options matter more than the price difference for most rooms.

Do I need a permit to install recessed lighting?

Not always. Swapping or adding lights on an existing circuit is often simpler, while a new circuit typically needs a permit. Rules depend on your city or county, and CPB Electric can tell you what applies when you call.

Electrical service

LED recessed lighting installation in DuPage, Kane, Cook and Will Counties

Recessed lighting (can lights) sits in the ceiling and gives even light without fixtures hanging down. CPB Electric installs LED recessed lighting in finished and open ceilings for homes and businesses in DuPage, Kane, Cook and Will Counties, from a few lights in a kitchen to whole basements and open floor plans.

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What does recessed lighting installation include?

LED recessed lights in finished ceilings (retrofit) and open ceilings (new construction)
Layout of how many lights you need and where they go
New switches and dimmers for the lights
Wiring the lights to an existing circuit, or adding a circuit when the load needs one
Tenant improvement lighting for commercial spaces

Remodel housings or new construction housings?

The ceiling decides the type of fixture. Both give the same finished look from below.

Type	Used when	What to expect
Remodel (retrofit)	The ceiling is already finished	Holes are cut, wire is fished through the ceiling, and some drywall patching can be needed
New construction	The ceiling framing is open	Housings mount to the joists before the drywall goes up, which is faster and cleaner
Slim LED (canless)	Shallow ceilings or simple retrofits	A thin LED disc replaces the can, so little space is needed above the ceiling

How many recessed lights do I need, and how far apart?

A common rule of thumb is about 4 to 6 feet between lights, but the right spacing depends on the fixture's beam angle, how bright it is and the ceiling height. Fixture makers publish a spacing guide for each model. A good layout lights the work areas first, then fills in the room evenly.

Do recessed lights need to be IC-rated?

Where insulation touches the fixture, yes. IC-rated housings are built to sit in direct contact with ceiling insulation. Non-IC fixtures need clearance around them. For a ceiling under an insulated attic, IC-rated is the safe choice.

How does recessed lighting installation work?

Plan the layout
CPB Electric looks at the room, the ceiling and the framing, then marks where the lights and switches go.
Check the circuit
The new lights go on an existing circuit if it can carry them, or on a new circuit if it cannot.
Cut in and wire
Holes are cut, wire is run and the fixtures are set. In an open ceiling the housings go in before the drywall.
Trim, dim and test
Trims go on, switches or dimmers are installed and every light is tested.

What affects the cost of recessed lighting?

The number of lights is the biggest factor, but not the only one:

How many lights you want
Ceiling type and access, for example a finished ceiling under an attic versus an open ceiling
Joists, ducts or other wiring that are in the way
Dimmers, smart switches and color temperature options
Whether a new circuit and permit are needed
Drywall repair and painting after a retrofit

CPB Electric explains what drives the price on your job. Call (630) 414-6550 to talk it through.

Recessed lighting and local permits

Adding lights to an existing circuit is often simpler than adding a circuit. New circuits typically need a permit, and permit rules are set by your city or county. In the unincorporated areas of DuPage County the 2020 National Electrical Code applies.

To see the type of work, browse the project gallery, which includes recessed lighting in living rooms and basements.

Sources

DuPage County building code page

Frequently asked questions

How far apart should recessed lights be?: A common rule of thumb is 4 to 6 feet apart. The best spacing depends on the fixture's beam angle, brightness and the ceiling height, and makers publish a spacing guide for each model. The electrician lays out the room before cutting any holes.
Can you add recessed lights without opening the ceiling?: Usually, yes. In a finished ceiling the electrician cuts holes for the fixtures and fishes wire through the space above. Some access and drywall patching may be needed where joists, ducts or other wiring are in the way.
Are LED recessed lights worth it?: LED recessed lights use less power than older halogen cans and last much longer, and many are slim enough to retrofit without a bulky housing. Color temperature and dimming options matter more than the price difference for most rooms.
Do I need a permit to install recessed lighting?: Not always. Swapping or adding lights on an existing circuit is often simpler, while a new circuit typically needs a permit. Rules depend on your city or county, and CPB Electric can tell you what applies when you call.