Wafer Lights vs. Recessed Cans; Which One Is Right For YOU?
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- Опубліковано 25 лис 2024
- Do you want to know which type of ceiling lighting is right for you? Recessed cans have been the go to in building most people's dream homes. But, there's a new fixture in town, the wafer lights!
Check out this Comparison of wafer lighting and traditional recessed lighting. In this video, we'll compare the implications for your BUDGET and DESIGN to help you decide which type of lighting is best for you.
I hope it helps you to know which type of lighting is best for you and to make the best decisions for your home.
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Best,
Liz
Great video! I'm considering replacing around 20 cans in my 2007 built home. As a Realtor I see lots of poorly thought out surface mount (glaring) 5000k led lights that burn the retinas in my eyeballs. I've always hated the way they look, now I know why. People doing renno on the cheap will often use the flush mount even when they had the depth of an older can fixture to retro inside of. Your video is leading me to only shop for can LED reto kits that have at least some measure of recess designed in. (And no bluer then 3500K) Plus, having 10 ft ceilings on the main level will make the glare even worse if I don't put some thought into this! (Plus, I'd already considereed buying extras for inevitable failures, so I know I'm in good company with that thought) Thank you so much for all the points you raised.
Nora and Dals make great retro fit, true recessed cans that aren’t going to break the bank 🏦
As an Electrician, I love working on jobs that use professional lighting design such as banks and hotels. The light layout seems a little random but always turns out amazing. I wish I had that skill.
Thank you for clarification. Old house has 4 Recessed lights and I better to keep them with older bulbs. Thank you
This was great timing for me to come across your video, I am building a home with 20’ ceilings and truely want to get this right on the lighting. Thanks for the info🇨🇦👍
Shop well! Those high ceilings demand great quality to get the lights you need. You’re going to be looking at lumens that go beyond the 6000 everyday light!
Thanks. I am installing a ceder porch ceiling and plan on running 3 lights. I preinstalled the large recessed cans and after I got thinking, i am not looking forward to cutting the t&g boards for the lights. I am considering the ease of instling ultra thins as it would be way easier, but now you got me going back to the original idea. The other benefit to the traditional can is using smart bulbs tied into motion sensors.
With a beautiful cedar ceiling, you gotta go the extra mile! You’re going to have to cut the boards either way!
I like the warm glow of the wafer light. And I like the can light. Limits on the can light. It is like a straight beam down. The effect is like going down a neighborhood street at night and you see the street light lighting one spot on one corner. I say use a combination. And as long as you are able to pop out the light yourself and not have to crawl into your attic then replacing them is very cost effective. The can light is more traditional. You can still get bulbs for them and change them out yourself. So it depends on your lighting needs. I do not mind the warm glow and fuller illumination the newer low profile and wafer lights have. They have so many options to fit your needs. Sometimes it is okay to move towards the future. I was told I should use the paper tape when doing my corners for drywall. Don't use the new mesh stuff. It won't hold up. Blah, blah, blah. Well I tried the paper and it was taking me longer to learn a technique to keep my seams smooth. So I switched to this newer tech. Mesh tape and it was so much easier to work with. My seams are smooth and 6 years later they still look great! And this is from a 60+ years old woman who learned to do drywalling, mudding, taping, texturing herself. So new is not always bad. 😉 Just different.
So true! The new technology makes some things much easier and less expensive. My issue is calling it a recessed light and expecting the same performance.
@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa😊
Ty yup I commend you on you efforts
Thank you for making this video! As someone that works in the category, these wafer lights have been WAY over spec'd! I have been walking into $3M homes with these everywhere and they make everything look flat, dull, and create no visual interest where it should be. I will be sharing this vid with a couple of my dealers. Thx
Thank you for watching! Lighting is the bastard child of design and I aim to shine a light on it so subscribe and share away! Btw, send those 3 mil contractors my digits!🤣😂We have work to do!
I really appreciate the video. I’m upgrading lighting in my den and have been out of the construction industry for many years. Great to hear a designer’s opinion
I am so grateful for your information. I've been wanting to update my "boob" lights that came with my small home to recessed for years. But with little understanding of my own, I couldn't get past my confusion to make an educated choice to move forward. Had a friend swear up and down that her disk lights were the better alternative to recessed but, ugh, your video gave voice to what my gut said. I've always felt that my 1400 square foot 3 bed/3 bath (family of 5) home needs lighting upgrades but couldn't stomach the thought of putting (in my opinion) cheaper lights up. Thanks! Q: I'm looking into the brands you suggest (thanks!). What bulb would you put in a modern styled home/9 foot ceiling/open plan kitchen and living room? My cabinets are dark expresso. Lots of natural light. Thank you so much!
You mean Kelvin temperature? In kitchens, it’s recommended between 3000-4000 based on your preference and surrounding colors etc. 4000 will feel more pronounced next to espresso cabinets because blue and brown are opposites but it will also feel more contemporary, IMHO. 3000 is going to be more soothing and warm, cozy. Both will do the job with the right lumens! ⚡️Get on my email list, I’ve got goodies to share!
"It dims until it is no more. Kinda like old age." LOLOLO!!
Ah, you are my people 🤣🤣🤣
Hi Liz, I would like to thank you for your great videos. Funny but yet straight to the point! 🤓
Thank you for watching!🙏
Be great to see some examples of what you would recommend
For cans or wafers? Cans are easy. WAC, Juno, elements, Dals, maybe Halo. Those brands also make wafers and the spelling is correct in the description of their products. Does that help?
Wafer light plus a baffle and gimbal? To get that recessed look? Liz found the juno contractor 4 inch, which is gold, but no gimbal. Anyone find a wafer plus baffle plus gimbal? Im limited as my space above ceiling is only 7.5 inches. Limits my options for "cans".
Look at Nova lighting. Juno
@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa I wonder if anyone has just bought baffle trims (theu like $4) and install their wafer light on top of the baffle. Not sure if that is safe or legit
Happy to have seen your video. I am thinking about replacing a flush mounted light fixture over my kitchen sink with a wafer light or recessed can light. In your opinion, which would be better for this purpose?
Recessed can always.
Question for you Liz, would you use a 4" regressed gimbal downlight for a vaulted ceiling or would you use a 2"?
What’s the wattage? If comparable, smaller is always my choice 👩🎨🎥
Which lamp is the right one for recessed luminaires to illuminate hotels in the United States? Are the gu10 the most convenient?
I don’t think there’s a standard? The gu bulbs are fab though. I’ve got several with 14 years of light!
Great passion, need more of that from my sales team!....i am finishing my basement 30ft by 16, and 9ft ceiling,... very clean HVAC bisects the entire 30ft length at the midpoint 8 ft. My question is about the soffit, should i make one or just reduce all of the ceiling height by 10"? Your thoughts on lighting, 3 separate areas; kitchen, family and study. I know you need more info...but i am hoping you could steer me.
I wouldn’t reduce height, ever! 🤡 Need more info, send me an email! Liz@mydesignsherpa.com
Hi, can you please let me know what type will work best for a nail salon 700sq ft. I was thinking of the LED lights but now saw your video. I need help please
Layers! You need bright LED lights for the actual work. Spots don’t work well in this situation unless they are good with a tight beam. Lamps are a better solution for desktop. There 4000k + is needed. Then some up lights?, sconces to make everyone look pretty, ie come back💰 eye level and hidden lights our friend for atmosphere! Strip LED is inexpensive and versatile. Look for quality, there’s a UA-cam video for that. Otherwise they have beads lights showing. You Want versatility in intensity. But not temp! So all those other lights should be same temp just less bright (or colors)
Hi nice vid. As soon as youtube's algorithm showed me your first vid, I kept on watching more and more. Questions, is can-less the same as wafer? I see can-less are not that thin. I see Nora has can-less. What's the difference? I googled, but the search results are not to my liking.
I think you’re talking about the Theia line from Nora. They are “can less” in that they don’t have the housing box for the bulb to go in. It’s one unit like a wafer light, bulb and trim kit. But, the theia line has a slight REAL recess of the bulb itself into the housing/trim. Not too pricey either!💡
And thanks btw, for the kind words!👩🎨
Love your videos and I almost found them too late. Looking for some recessed 4” lights for our kitchen and saw some brands you were recommending. Is there any advantage to the “designer spec” brands? Also do you recommend a color temperature for you kitchen?
Thanks!!
Designer spec brands meaning you can’t order unless through a designer? Nah, same parts less a kick back. For color temp, 🤔 what’s your cabinet colors, other fixture’s colors, other adjacent room temp? You want to be the same, just vary lumens. 3000-4000K is bright and clean and usually the temp you’ll want in a kitchen. Test bulbs in the space, even if it’s in a lamp to get an idea how the colors etc will affect it!
What is "the glow" and why is it bad? I'm not sure I understand the cons other having to replace the fixture
It’s glare more than glow 💡 we want to be in charge of where the light goes!
I really appreciate this video as it proved my instincts were right to go with traditional cans in my 650 sq ft ADU. I'm going with a beach theme and have very light flooring/walls and T&G pine ceiling. Any recommendations for interesting bulbs to help achieve the "beach feel"? I'm considering traditional incandescent (I have many cases of various sizes) but am open to other creative ideas.
I’d worry you can’t find fixtures that support them soon. There’s good quality halogen or gu bulbs that are great quality but their next on the chopping block for less efficiency🥲
What are your recommended manufacturers for recessed cans?
There are lots of choices out there. What's your budget? what features are important? WAC, Ion, Lumens, Perigold,,Halo (not from HD), Nora, Phillips are designer spec'ed lights ($$$) but there's tons of options based on your supplier. If you're looking for wafer lights, too soon to tell, but I'd stick with a reputable brand.
do you have a video about recessed spotlights vs cove lighting in 8 foot ceiling? I don't like modern trendy look (looks to much to me) but the lighting stores here are saying that strip lighting is the only way to light up a room properly?
Where did the lighting store salesman last work? Go to design school? Study your needs and wants? Knows the style of your house? Or most importantly, what the customer wants?
LED strips are all the rage but they have a ‘style’ they are appropriate for and it’s not for ALL design types. Recessed lighting is!
@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa ok good to know. I will keep learning. I want to like it so badly cuz its every where but I really really don't. I have not seen it done with a quiet soft way. Its too much a dust collector ever time I look at it
@applesauceandhoney2407 you know your answer then! Traditional with some recessed cans for unobtrusive light! 💡
@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa when you say traditional you mean recessed cans and a pendant right?
I put in 2in wafs in the guest cottage..have dimmers ,dim down to 100 % ..
Me too! The only way to dim them is with an off switch!🤣💡 Next year’s budget includes replacing them 🤬
super helpful, thanks!
You mentioned "if one dies and I have to replace it in a year or two years or whatever 50,000 hours is" (4:34).
If a light is used 4 hours a day, every day, 50,000 hours would last (50,000 / 4) / 365 which is over 34 years.
You can get "regressed canless wafer" lights that offer some benefits of recessed cans.
Yes there are a few brands that offer a slight baffle or a gimbal in the wafers. But, I have wafer lights with those estimated life spans already twinkling.
What a great video. I learned a lot. Thank you.
Thanks for watching! I’m working on another, so stay tuned! What questions did I miss?💡
Truly recessed LED ceiling lights are starting to hit the market, and Halo is even making them for sloped ceilings (in white only so far). I don’t think the concern about swapping out the fixture is legitimate, because it is the same plan with LED bulbs. My plan is to buy a few extras. When one fails, I will swap out that entire room for my backstock and start shopping for the next ones. It’s a standard hole size and mounting plate, and I am using Halo which is a very stable brand that doesn’t change styles constantly.
Glad you found one that works for you!
Good information, thanks for this!
Glad it was useful! I’m working on another with some great choices 💡
great advice, I also like the recessed look that these wafer lights just don't give for main rooms. If you want to light your Ethan Allen furniture, use recessed lights, those wafer lights are not gonna do it.
They have their place but I am not a big fan of them. If you ask me go cheap that is what you will get. My problem with them is that they glare and they have no depth or warmth. The other issue is that if you don't like the look 5 years from now you will be changing the entire fixture not just the trim.
Wafer lights were the first wave. Newer options include "regressed" and canless recessed lights, and may be exactly the look you want, no can required.
Exactly! @elcolighting has an amazing Koto line that does all that and more!
Wafer lights are low cost and fit where others don't. But, I am trying to select only lights with replaceable bulbs. Putting in wafer lights buys in to wastage of materials when the fail and electrician's cost to replace them. I would love it if manufacturers could make a wafer light with a replaceable light element, but they have little interest in doing that unless mandated by legislation.
Check out @elcolighting. They have replaceable drivers and you can change out the bulb for different beam spreads!
Many of these wafer lights do in fact have clearance requirements. Read the instructions.
I have. Maybe we’re not talking about the same thing.
Wafer lights are not cheap lol I spent $60/piece and they last 30-40 years on normal usage so not being able to replace them is not a big deal
You got the good ones!
I agree the glare sucks!
Stay tuned I’ve got solutions 💡
Is it just me, or does the quality of the wafer lights kinda suck. Sometimes it seems foggy in the lighted area, like the light quality is not that good. When I light up a regular lamp with a normal LED bulb its much more pleasant and can see more clearly. Maybe its the difuser on the lamp that filters it, but its much more softer.
It’s not just you!!! They SUCK!
Then there's the problem of cheap dimmable LEDs that use PWD, or super fast flashing to "dim". You can see if they are doing that by using your cellphone and dimming them at the store.
You didn’t what your favorite canned lights are. 😮 Love your videos though!❤
I don’t have one! What light suits the situation? and then I’m a fan. There’s several good brands. Dals WAC, Elco, Nora, Elements💰 Halo and Juno are common box store choices but online will get you more options. What are the specs you need? Then go find one that fits. Hope that helps
@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa you’re amazing thank you so much. Lighting is so confusing, but we’re so blessed to have you. ❤️
LEDs never last as long as the manufacturers claim. I always have premature failures of the "bulbs" and integrated fixtures.
Yes! The electrician installed some wafers outside at our new old house and they are already hinting at flickering, less than two years!
Thanks for speaking truth to LED!
I’m screaming in the dark! 💡 🤣
So see how we're in the Electrification age, copper isn't going to get any cheaper why and the hell don't the usa go to 12 volt lighting in new homes
I like naked light bulbs.
To each his own!
Video difficult to watch. It changed cuts so often, and kept focusing on the creator's zoomed in face. I would have found it more helpful with less of an intro as well.
Thanks for the tips.
oh me never relaizeding this
540 ❤
not a fan of wafer lights. eye sore