Replace A Recessed Light With A Light Fixture

Locate a ceiling joist to secure your light to the ceiling.

Recessed lighting isn't the style for everyone. It looks modern, and some people think it doesn't fit with their home's decor. If you would prefer a light fixture that extends from a ceiling, then you can replace recessed lighting. Replacing the light is not difficult, and the project can be completed in a few hours.

Instructions

1. Turn off the electrical power to the room by flipping the appropriate switch in the electrical box.

2. Remove the screws holding the recessed light to the ceiling. Remove the light bulb.

3. Pull the recessed light casing out of the ceiling. If the casing is anchored to the ceiling joist, use an angled screwdriver to remove the screws.

4. Untwist the house wires from the back side of the light cover.

5. Measure the opening, and make it larger if necessary to fit the wire housing of the replacement light fixture. Use a jigsaw to cut the ceiling material.

6. Feed the house wires through the replacement light fixture's housing. Slide the housing into the ceiling hole, and extend the mounting bars on either side that attach it to the joists. Raise it just high enough to feed a side-angle driver in, and drill the brackets to the joists with 3-inch screws. In some cases, you might find a housing that has extension bars that twist to tighten and don't need to be screwed in place.

7. Attach the bar bracket across the wire housing with the light fixture's hardware. Feed the wires through the hole in the middle of the bar.

8. Twist the ends of the wires from the fixture to ends of the house wires. Attach like-colored wires together. Some fixtures have black wires instead of red wires. If that case, attach the black wire to the red wire. These are live wires. White wires are neutral. Ground wires, if present, may be plain copper or coated green. Wrap electrical tape around the twisted points to cover them. Then cap them with wire nuts.

9. Attach the fixture to the cross bar with the fixture's hardware. Use a drill for this task. Cover the area with the fixture's decorative plate to finish.

Tags: light fixture, house wires, ceiling joist, fixture hardware, light ceiling, recessed light