Renovation - Advice requested on External lights, which dimmable LEDs for kitchen etc

Prizen · Jan 15, 2017

HI All

I posted a thread a while back about a house purchase, where my wife and I are renovating. The sparks has just started to chase walls etc (God love him, would hate that job) before he gets onto the interesting wiring bit!

Just trying to decide on a few things, hope you can advise:

We have a new extension to the rear of the house, it is a kitchen with vaulted ceiling. The ceiling will also have some velux windows. Just looking for advice on:

1. Will any recessed fittings do the job ? I know the electrician will fit what is safe, but do you have any advice when it comes to my options?
2. We are looking to fit dimmable LEDs in the recessed positions in the ceiling - GU10 is the type I guess? Any advice on particular brands, recommended beams width, lumens etc?
Any other advice on lighting for the kitchen? We would like spotlights fitted underneath the upper cabinets, shining onto the counter top.
3.Any other wiring tips for the kitchen, bearing in in mind that it is an open plan, ie it runs into the living room

Then there's external wiring:
4. Have asked for sparks to run wiring out to the entrance to provision for electric gates, which we would hope to fit in the future.
5. External light above the back door. We would access the house quite often via the back door, so we are looking for a suitable light to be fitted above the door.
6. While we enter the site, we would walk around the side of the house (heading for back door). Looking for lights to be fitted under the eaves at the side (we have a dormer, with the gable being at the front/rear of the house, the longer perimeters are to the sides of the house.) Any recommendations on light fittings/bulbs for the eaves?

Thanks!

FatAlan · Jan 16, 2017

How long is a piece of string. You need to be very specific about where you want the lights to go. If you are looking at GU 10 LED down lights for example, will the void above the fitting surface be deep enough etc for the fitting etc. Will you be wanting dimmable LEDs? There's loads of options out there. Same with outside lights, loads of good LED spots available with or without sensors. Having been in your position a few years back, I'd advise lettting your spark know what you want ASAP, would also have thought that they would be the best person to talk to about viable options for specific locations. Apologies if I'm staying the obvious.

Midwest · Jan 16, 2017

A lot of the questions you are asking, should be directed towards your electrician.

Regards downlights in a vaulted ceiling, a few things to consider. Before I start these are my views and others on here will argue differently. Your vaulted ceiling will be filled with insulation and membranes. Although there are now quite a few down lights with a very low profile, they will probably need more clearance (manufacturers will give guidance on those measurements) than the insulation allows, therefore some removal of insulation may be necessary. There is the prospect, of drawing warm damp air into the void.

Before you start cutting holes in the ceiling plasterboard, insulation, you may wish to ask the views of your local building inspector, as it's they that will be issuing your completion certificate for your extension.

I note your location is Ireland, so process may be different than in England & Wales (where my experiences are based on).