Installing spotlights

[jimbo5050]

I am getting ready to install the lighting in a 3 bed extension.
We have decided to go for downlights but I am not sure whether to go for mains or low voltage. Apart from the obvious, whats the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?
Also the ceiling into which they are going will be insulated with fibre, so does this have any implications on them overheating?

 

[Steve]

low voltage gives nicer light, its crisper, but beware of cheap transformers.

cut out a bit of insulation above each lamp and make an open-top wooden box to keep it away from the light.

 

[jimbo5050]

Thanks for the advice Crafty

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Even better - make a closed-top wooden box to keep the insulation away, and cover the box with insulation.

The idea is to have a nice large space around the light so it doesn't overheat, but overall to retain the insulation level of the ceiling, and prevent draughts falling down through the lights.

 

[plugwash]

so what happens to the heat in that case? does it slowly get carried downwards by drafts and radiation or what?