Would you like to install recessed spotlights in your home? Good idea! Whether you are looking for recessed spotlights for your bathroom or spotlights for your living room, recessed spotlights are the perfect basic lighting. Plus, they come in all sizes and styles, so you can go either way. To install recessed spotlights, you first need to drill holes in your ceiling. Not quite sure what dimensions to use? No worries! We will explain everything in detail.
Choose your recessed spot
Recessed spotlights come in different sizes. Step 1 is to choose your favourite recessed spot. This way, you can match the holes in your ceiling perfectly to your spotlight. Have the holes been drilled but don't know which spot you want to install? Then go for holes with a diameter of 76 or 80 mm. These are common drill diameters, giving you a wide choice of spotlights.
Important: When choosing your recessed spot, take the type of ceiling into account. Do you have a hollow ceiling, e.g. a suspended plasterboard ceiling? Then choose recessed spots with springs, which can be recognised by the S1 designation. The springs fall open when the spot is placed and clamp the spot against your ceiling. For a full ceiling, e.g. a concrete ceiling, choose leaf springs (S2). These squeeze against the edge of the provided hole.
How do you determine the hole diameter?
Let's start at the beginning: what exactly does drill diameter mean? The drill diameter refers to the opening in your suspended ceiling. On the illustration below, it is denoted by the number 1.
To determine the drill diameter, you need to look at the recessed diameter of your spotlight (2). This is the part of your recessed spotlight that will be placed in your ceiling. Your drill diameter can easily be slightly larger than your recessed diameter, but no more than 1 to 3 millimetres. Peeq always indicates the maximum recessed diameter, so your drill diameter should not exceed this dimension.
Finally, each recessed spotlight also has an outer diameter (3). This refers to the diameter of your entire spotlight. The outer diameter must always be sufficiently larger than the hole diameter so that your downlight covers the hole completely.
How do you determine the recessed depth?
You can also find the terms for recessed depth on the illustration below.
Recessed depth refers to the distance between the ceiling surface and the back of your recessed spotlight (1).
A recessed spotlight is installed in a false ceiling. The thickness of this false ceiling (2) and the space between the false ceiling and the existing ceiling (3) determine the total depth you have available. Are you installing your recessed spot in a full ceiling? Then the available depth is determined by the total drill length.
Make sure there is enough space between the depth you have available and the recessed depth of your spotlight. A recessed spot needs space to get rid of its heat. Moreover, under no circumstances should your spotlight come into contact with your insulation.
Note: do you opt for directional spotlights? Then you need extra space. Follow the specifications of your spotlight carefully.
Low built-in depth
The average recessed depth is between 10 and 12 cm. Is your drilling depth or the space between your suspended and existing ceiling lower? No worries. There are shallow recessed spotlights specially designed for this application. Use our handy 'recessed depth' filter to quickly discover our range of shallow spotlights suitable for your situation.
How do you determine the recessed depth of GU10 downlights?
A GU10 recessed spot is a luminaire to which you still need to add a light source. To determine its recessed depth, consider the following factors:
• The recessed depth of your GU10 recessed spotlight (1).
• The height of your light source, GU10 spotlights are usually 55 millimetres (2).
• The height of your GU10 fitting, typically 10 millimetres (3).
To know your recessed depth, add these 3 together. Then subtract the depth at which your light source falls into your luminaire (4).
Have you got your drill ready? Or would you like to find out more about recessed spotlights? Our customer service team will be happy to help you with all your questions.