Slim ceiling joist - where to get shallow downlights for bathroom?

piper64 · 13 Jun 2018

Hi

I want to replace the single pendant light with a few LED downlights in the bathroom, but am having trouble finding a source of such lights that are shallow enough to fit in the roof void due to the joists being quite shallow. Most downlight are 85mm depth or more, but I need around 60mm to avoid them being proud of the joist, which is only 80mm deep.

I have found one at Toolstation, but it's a fixed LED system, meaning the whole unit gets replaced when required.

I'd prefer them to have replaceable LED bulbs rather than the fixed ones that I have found.

Any suggestions?

blup · 13 Jun 2018

If there's space you could box around or otherwise safely cordon off the larger lights, or maybe the loft is floored(?)

Blup

securespark · 13 Jun 2018

These look good. Not sure if the lamp is replaceable but they come with a domestic 7 year warranty.

https://www.mylights.co.uk/cgi-bin/...bpItnxC8TLifRq0r1wsq-PNAcQ0UJfIBoCDF0QAvD_BwE

ban-all-sheds · 13 Jun 2018

piper64 said:
I want to replace the single pendant light with a few LED downlights in the bathroom

Have you thought about whether needing "a few" lights to replace one might indicate that the new lights aren't actually very good at lighting up rooms?

If you have a bath, have you thought about what it will be like lying in it looking up into downlight beams?

but am having trouble finding a source of such lights that are shallow enough to fit in the roof void due to the joists being quite shallow. Most downlight are 85mm depth or more, but I need around 60mm to avoid them being proud of the joist, which is only 80mm deep.

What's above the bathroom? Why is the height of the lights a problem?

If it's a loft then work will be needed up there to make and/or install sealed enclosures over the lights, re-instate the insulation etc. If it's a flat roof then basically installing recessed lights is a non-starter.

You may not simply cut holes in a bathroom ceiling as you may with, say, a living room.

Notch7 · 13 Jun 2018

Our electrician uses inceptor micro LED downlight -as per link in post 3.

They are integrated not bulb replacable, so buy a one or 2 spare fittings for the future - I dont think you can get shallow and replacable!

I cant comment on whether you can use them or not.

you might find some people here are anti downlighters as a modern method of lighting rooms!

ban-all-sheds · 13 Jun 2018

It matters not how old, or how new, a lighting method is. If that method is the use of lights which are not very good at doing the job they are being used to do, i.e. whole room illumination, then it is right that people should at least stop and think whether it's a good idea to use them.

If that method is the use of lights which might be really unpleasant to look up into then it is right that people should at least stop and think whether it's a good idea to use them if they might be looking up into them.

If that method is to cut holes in ceilings with a loft above then it is right that people should realise that they will have thermal insulation issues to consider, and additionally if it is a bathroom ceiling they will have vapour sealing ones.

"If it's a flat roof then basically installing recessed lights is a non-starter" is not an exaggeration.

Notch7 · 13 Jun 2018

ban-all-sheds said:
It matters not how old, or how new, a lighting method is. If that method is the use of lights which are not very good at doing the job they are being used to do, i.e. whole room illumination, then it is right that people should at least stop and think whether it's a good idea to use them.

You must admit though...you do tend to have a 'downer' on downlighters!

ban-all-sheds · 13 Jun 2018

I believe them to be questionable and/or unsuitable for the reasons referred to above.

I believe it right and proper to advise people that they too should question whether they will be suitable.

EFLImpudence · 13 Jun 2018

Just for information:

I only have a shaver light in my bathroom (not the smallest) - 60W filament tube - and it is perfectly adequate for all uses of the room.

ban-all-sheds · 13 Jun 2018

EFLI getting out of the shower:

EFLImpudence · 13 Jun 2018

It's perfectly adequate - honest - shines up as well and reflects off the white ceiling.

piper64 · 15 Jun 2018

Hi chaps, thanks for all the replies.
Just to allay any concerns that BAS may have about my use of questionable/inadequate lighting, may I point out that lighting isn't just about being 'adequate'. It's not a workshop, it's a bathroom. The single light gives out ample illumination, but having lights where you want them for decorative reasons or for illumination of a particular area isn't a crime is it? Our kitchen used to have 1 x tube light in it. Adequate but dog ugly. When we did the kitchen up, I replced it with 7 x LED downlighters. The power required to illuminate them is less than the one tube light and the whole kitchen has a sparkle to it. Certain areas are 'spotlighted' such as food prep. areas.

I know that I can't just 'cut holes' in the bathroom ceiling, for the reason I give in the OP for a start. You needn't worry about me being dazzled when I'm reclining in the bath either because -
a - if I'm reclining my eyes will be shut.
b - the bath is going.

They will be IP65 or 66, depending on what I can get and will have a seal ( due to their IP rating).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moving on-
Boxing them in is a good idea as access is quite easy due to the area above the bathroom not being boarded, so not often walked around.
The Interceptor lights look right, but are not suitable for bathroom use possibly. I'll see if they do a higher rated one.

If I can't find any, I'll just stick a candle on the windowsill...I'm sure it will be perfectly adequate.

winston1 · 15 Jun 2018

I wonder how long the craze for spotlights will last? I already know of one person who removed them from his kitchen, filled the holes and put 2 pendants back.

Around 30 years ago everyone was Artexing their ceilings. Now people are having them replastered over at great expense.

JohnW2 · 15 Jun 2018

winston1 said:
I wonder how long the craze for spotlights will last? ... Around 30 years ago everyone was Artexing their ceilings. Now people are having them replastered over at great expense.

That's just two examples of millions. Fashions change, for whatever reason (cynics may suggest that fashion changes are often driven by those with vested financial interests) - and, more interesting, not infrequently 'go in circles/cycles' - so Artex may come back into fashion one day!

Kind Regards, John

ban-all-sheds · 16 Jun 2018

And one day people might start to realise that it is not the case that you can only have either a fluorescent strip or an array of recessed torches.

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Slim ceiling joist - where to get shallow downlights for bathroom?

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