Some help with recessed lighting please.

The trim on a 4" recessed light is larger than 4"....a 4 1/4" hole saw is used to make holes and trim covers that. In most cases the 4" pot light's trim will cover hole after a ceiling device box is removed. Just don't do drywall damage removing the metal box making the hole larger.

Not sure if this will help you out, but I recently had led pot lights installed throughout my home, including a few that straight up replaced standard ceiling fixtures. No issues with the 4” pot light covering the ceiling fixture hole...the outer diameter of the trim around the pot lights I have is 5”.

You’re best best is to loosen your existing ceiling fixture to verify the dimension of the ceiling opening.

I know you mentioned that you have a preference for actual bulbs, but I think the slim led pots are the way to go...they have a quick connect wiring so easy to swap out if necessary. You can buy them for like $10 each from Kijiji distributors (or pay $50 at Home Depot)....I recall seeing 2 packs of these at costco for $25 with the ability to change colour temperature by flicking a switch on the box...

Coresu wrote: ↑ Im looking forward to retrofitting my existing ceilings with 4 inch recessed lights. However, the center of the rooms have standard ceiling fixtures and we're thinking of wanting to replace those with a single recessed light instead.

Careful. This isn't as easy as it looks.

Unless you have modern surface-mount lights, your existing fixtures will be mounted to octagon boxes that will need to be removed before recessed lighting can be installed. You'll need to cut fairly large holes (potentially up to the width of the spacing of your ceiling joists) in the ceiling to remove the octagon boxes, and then patch the holes with new drywall. When, you install drywall, you'll have the option of cutting whatever size hole you need for your new lights.

If you're not prepared to cut large holes in your ceiling, you could consider using surface-mount LED lights.

Further, do not buy light fixtures from Amazon. The risk of getting a counterfeit, or non-ULc listed, light is just too high for something that can burn your house down if it's badly designed or badly manufactured. After a short search, I have not been able to find the 4" recessed light you linked in UL's listing database. It may be present under a different name, but I can't find it under that manufacturer or model number.

Buy from somewhere like Home Depot, or Rona, that has a reputable supply chain.

You will need an electrical permit for this work; inspectors will not accept lights that are not ULc listed for use in Canada.

middleofnowhere wrote: ↑

Further, do not buy light fixtures from Amazon. The risk of getting a counterfeit, or non-ULc listed, light is just too high for something that can burn your house down if it's badly designed or badly manufactured. After a short search, I have not been able to find the 4" recessed light you linked in UL's listing database. It may be present under a different name, but I can't find it under that manufacturer or model number.

Buy from somewhere like Home Depot, or Rona, that has a reputable supply chain.

You will need an electrical permit for this work; inspectors will not accept lights that are not ULc listed for use in Canada.

Thanks I may just cap the hole or maybe use a surface mount light fixture worse case. I was looking at the certification as well, and in all the Q&A I see it was asks and answered by the manufacturer.

Are they CSA approved?
yes they are CSA approved, and also Energy Star certified.
By Nadair International Ltd SELLER on March 1, 2019

EDIT: I just received my boxes today and can confirm that they are all indeed listed on the package as CSA and Energy Star compliant.

middleofnowhere wrote: ↑ Careful. This isn't as easy as it looks.

Unless you have modern surface-mount lights, your existing fixtures will be mounted to octagon boxes that will need to be removed before recessed lighting can be installed. You'll need to cut fairly large holes (potentially up to the width of the spacing of your ceiling joists) in the ceiling to remove the octagon boxes, and then patch the holes with new drywall. When, you install drywall, you'll have the option of cutting whatever size hole you need for your new lights.

If you're not prepared to cut large holes in your ceiling, you could consider using surface-mount LED lights.

Power off-romex removed and pushed away-far end of the box not secured to joist pushed up above drywall-pry bar wedged between box and joist-depending on nails used on bracket above holding box to joist it prys off the joist as 3' bar is moved upwards as it comes loose. If difficult a sawsall with a metal blade can be used on the nails, just watch where the romex is.
Or OP gets lucky and the box is held by screws in the oct box.

You guys here are fantastic btw. Very knowledgeable.

EDIT: If I provide my own potlights and get the dimmers myself (Lutron) that are compatible. How much would one expect to have each light put in by an installer cost? I usually see 70 dollar per potlight but that includes the hardware etc.

Im looking to install 20-30 lights.

Im gonna start shopping around but would like a back thought on what I should expect etc