Installing exterior soffit lighting involves cutting holes in each location, running wires to each hole, and fastening the fixture with clips or screws. Ultra-thin recessed 9W LED lights can add additional security and visual interest to the front of the house. Outdoor-rated electrical wiring from a chosen power source should be run through the soffits towards each light fixture location. If needed, drill additional holes along the way.
To install exterior recessed lighting, place the fixtures in areas that need additional illumination, such as between windows or near the eave. Drill a 3-inch hole for the soffit lighting and avoid the joists in the eave. Reach in through the hole, grab the wires, and pull them out. If the lights are 3 feet apart, use 4.5 feet of cable between them.
To install outdoor soffit lighting, drill a hole using a circular saw, locate the circuit breaker, run electrical wiring, and run 14/2 NM cable from the circuit to the nearest opening in the soffit area. Remember to leave approximately 10 inches of extra cable per fixture.
In summary, installing exterior soffit lighting requires a basic understanding of electrical wiring and a basic understanding of the setup. By following the installation guide and using the right tools, you can transform your home’s exterior and enhance its aesthetic appeal and security.
📹 How to Install Recessed LED Soffit Lights – Amazon Ultra Thin 4-inch Recessed LED Retrofit
Installing ultra-thin recessed 9W LED lights on my house exterior soffit. This adds additional security for the front of the house as …
Can I wire outdoor lights myself?
Outdoor light fixtures can be installed by yourself with the right skills and tools, but it’s crucial to respect weather conditions, follow steps rigorously, and use appropriate equipment, especially a junction box. Consult a professional if you have any doubts for a safe and durable installation. This article provides tips on lighting desks, focusing on using multiple light sources to reduce eye strain and increase productivity.
It also discusses how to illuminate living rooms, including using pendants, wall lights, and floor lamps strategically to enhance the ambiance. These guides offer practical tips for choosing the right fixtures and positioning them for both functional and aesthetic lighting.
Do soffit lights need to be wet rated?
When choosing between Wet and Damp Rated LED Pot Lights, consider the location of the fixtures. Wet Rated lights are suitable for areas exposed to water, like soffits or showers, while Damp Rated lights are suitable for moderate humidity areas like basements or laundry rooms. IC Rating, or “Insulation Contact”, indicates that these lights can be installed in direct contact with insulation without overheating or starting a fire. This is crucial to prevent potential fire hazards.
In summary, Wet Rated Pot Lights are designed for areas where they will be in direct contact with water, while Damp Rated Pot Lights can withstand mild to moderate humidity levels but cannot endure direct exposure to water. Understanding the difference between these options is essential when selecting LED Pot Lights for your space.
Can you hang lights from soffit?
Hanging Christmas lights from the soffit of your roof is a more efficient method than hanging from gutters or eaves. To hang lights, you need a ladder, measuring tape, light-hanging pole, fascia light clips, Christmas lights, and extension cords. Fascia boards, the horizontal boards below your roofline, are ideal for hanging lights when gutters are not feasible. Special clips made for the job are available, eliminating the need for tool boxes. Learn how to light up your fascia for the holidays.
What lights can be used in soffits?
Outdoor soffits are lighting fixtures installed on the underside of roofs, decking, balconies, or porches to highlight architectural features or add a subtle background glow. They can be discreet and discreet, ensuring safety and deterring potential thieves. Motion sensors can also be added to soffit lights for added security. There are various types of soffit lighting available, each with varying effects and intensity. For example, spotlights can be used to highlight large patio areas or garage doors, making homes feel secure at night.
When considering outdoor soffit lighting, ensure it has a sufficient IP rating to withstand wet weather damage. LEDs are a more durable option than halogen lights and use less electricity. Choosing the right lighting for your outdoor space is essential to ensure a secure and comfortable environment.
What wattage for outdoor soffit lights?
Outdoor lights should be rated at 40 watts or lower, with 40 to 80 watts ideal for landscape areas like pathways and garden beds. 40 to 80 watts are suitable for driveways, smaller yards, and indoor spaces. Outdoor lights should be used sparingly, as 80 watts and over are too bright for most home landscape lighting, especially floodlights for larger lawns and driveways. 40 watts ensures clear visibility, aesthetic appeal, and showcases the best parts of your landscape.
How bright should outdoor soffit lights be?
The brightness and color temperature of outdoor soffit lighting have a significant impact on the ambiance and functionality of a given space. Therefore, it is recommended that fixtures with a luminosity of between 1000 and 3000 lumens be selected.
What wire to use for soffit lights?
It is recommended that a 14/2 NM cable be run from the circuit to the nearest soffit opening, with an additional 10 inches of cable length allocated for each light fixture. This process should be repeated until all openings have been addressed. The next step is to wire the lights. This is done by taking both wires from the switch and the wire from the next light and attaching them to the electric box.
What is the alternative to soffit lights?
Ground mounted lights are often the best way to light the exterior of a home or building, as they are more efficient than soffit lights. To learn more about the differences between soffit and ground mounted lights, contact a local business that has been lighting up Nashville since 2012. Their team has years of experience creating and installing unique outdoor lighting designs, providing maintenance and repair services to homes and businesses across Middle Tennessee. They have been voted 1st in Nashville House and Home for landscape lighting for four consecutive years and Best of Houzz for the last three years.
Can you put lights in a soffit?
Can lights, also known as recessed lighting, are a popular type of soffit lighting that takes up no space on the overhang, making it completely discrete until the switch is pressed. They are placed inside a cylindrical can made of metal or plastic, placed into a hole in the ceiling, with all electrical wiring and the bulb up in the ceiling. The edge of the can is rimmed with a trim, which allows you to match the light fixture to the aesthetic of your home.
LED can lights are a practical way to light up porches, gardens, or walls, providing clear, strong lighting for the entire yard. They can be spaced out evenly across the ceiling or roof, providing bright, even lighting. LED bulbs last longer than incandescents and are more energy efficient, saving you money and time.
Do soffit lights need to be fire rated?
Downlights in external soffits are not required to be fire rated as they do not increase the temperature and intensity of fires in enclosed areas. Anell’s Edge and Prism Pro downlights can be used in any construction type and duration, and have been tested in typical applications and spacing. There is no downlight type that fits every construction need, as they are designed to be used in a specific application and spacing. Anell’s certification table outlining the certification of their fire rated downlights is available for reference.
Are soffit lights a good idea?
Soffit lighting is an architectural feature on the exterior of a home that covers the underside of the roof, eaves, or porch overhang. These lights are recessed and downlighting, illuminating downward towards the ground. They are often used by homeowners to highlight architectural features, increase home security, or enhance the visual appeal of their homes. Soffit lighting is important because it increases the safety and security of your home or business, making it less likely for people to break in or loiter. Soffit floodlights can further enhance security features, providing peace of mind.
Soffit lighting also increases property value, as homeowners are always seeking ways to add value to their properties. It has numerous benefits, including improving the overall appearance of your property, adding property value, and highlighting specific elements and features with soffit spotlights. Additionally, soffit lighting improves security, providing peace of mind for homeowners.
Astoria Lighting Co. offers an extensive selection of exterior soffit lighting fixtures that can elevate any property, add security, and increase value. By understanding the importance and benefits of soffit lighting, homeowners can determine if it is the right outdoor lighting option for their home or business.
📹 How to Install Ultra-Thin Exterior Lighting | All About Lights | Ask This Old House
Scott installs ultra-thin, LED lights on a garage to replace a broken flood light. #ThisOldHouse #AskTOH SUBSCRIBE to This Old …
Stumbled upon this article since I’m doing my own research for this exact job at home, have a very good idea to start off as I’m very comfortable with Electrical work of all sorts, however the tips are invaluable price of romex at Walmart, and a real world sample of how many lights is enough and how many is too much. Earned a new sub bro, thanks for this article full of insight.
Amazing article Binh. I actually ordered the same exact light and was looking for some tips on spacing – and came across your article. I have the exact same garage setup. Would you recommend 2 downlights over small door and 3 over big door…4 feet apart? Also your 4ft light should have a output of 750 Lumens correct? Not 1100 Lumens…
If that’s the ok only insulation on those kneewalls.. Idk what part of the country you live in but the kraft face batts( paper faced). Is supposed to be on the conditioned side of the wall. I believe that’s a standard everywhere in the country. Vapor barriers are always suppose to be on condition side of exterior wall.
way too many lights dude :-)… I look at the same thing at my house, want to put in some LED lights… Some have to be switched on/off via light switch from the inside (replacing the ugly lights that were installed at the house to the left and right of the garage)… But I need another line going from the inside to be able to have Christmas light outlets and power for new security cameras… So a lot of Romex being installed there… Yours looks good, would be just too many for me 🙂
Hello, just found your article and had a question since you have had them for awhile. Do you have an issue with bugs and spiders because of the lights. The ones i have attract bugs and when there are bugs, there are spiders. I need to switch them out and I’m trying to find ones that won’t attract flying bugs. Thanks
Few notes: these are more decorative than security lighting which is ok if that’s what you want, but most people still opt to have flood lights on the corners of the house for their security camera to work well. Also, proprietary light fixtures that don’t follow a standard mounting method (like a 4-0 box) are a mistake IMHO. They SAY LEDs last for years but these are outdoors and eventually water will get into the electronics. In my experience, even a little moisture will screw up LED electronics. In the old days, you could have a mercury vapor ballast pretty much be submerged in water and after drying out and fixing the leak, it would work like nothing happened, but not with LED’s. The point is, either pick a fixture that takes standard bulbs, or if you’re going to go with a low profile fixture, go with one that fits in a 4-0 box. Lightolier makes some shower lights that work well.
I’ll play the devil’s advicate for those whom are beginners and dont understand. They never fully explain nor fully show each step all the way. We see 3 new lights to install. We also see one power source from preexisting power from a floodlight which operates on a preexisting switch. He mentioned the new lights being powered from the main source, but never showed how he safely connected the power to the last two and of course how it tied into the switch.
I see people comment on here about how he doing it every state the laws is different everybody trained differently like I was doing floors in the hospital I learn how they did it but when I went to a second Hospital to do floors they say I was doing it wrong and to do it that way doesn’t matter how he do it the job is done and did the people he did lights for did anyone of them complaint about he did a bad job or something happen months or years later
Awesome! A proprietary system… so when one dies in three years for unknown reasons, you cannot replace just the light (because the switch mode supply is what usually dies), you will need a whole new light fixture! Contractors dream right there. And he’ll have to pay an electrician 3x to have the other two units replaced as well to match the replacement. If you want LED’s, get a fixture that uses standard bulb type sockets, and just buy LED bulbs for them. This way you’re never SOL if they die.
Seven years ago in my “man cave” we used “50 W” LED dimmable throughout. But my office has a dropdown ceiling / AC duct so we had to use strip bar. When wafers came out in 2014 I got them instantly and they’ve been going ever since without a hitch. The key is quality and though I paid a premium, we’ve had zero problems. I figure after 10-15 years I can simply replace any that fail or move on to the next technology (wireless?).