Installing can lights in a suspended ceiling requires purchasing can light fixtures with premounted supports. This is necessary because the fixtures mount on the top of the ceiling tile grid.The supports provide a secure attachment for the canned lighting. This prevents the fixture from adding weight to the individual ceiling tile. Sometimes, cutting the hole in the suspended ceiling tile poses the most difficulty. It is possible, however, to cut the hole out perfectly with little measuring.
Instructions
1. Trace the outline of the canned light onto a piece of cardboard. Cut the cardboard at the trace line with a utility knife. This piece of cardboard will serve as a template for the ceiling tile.
2. Position a step ladder under the tile where you want to install the canned lighting. Remove the ceiling tile and attach extra hanger wires to the grid according to the ceiling manufacturer. The extra hanger wires help to support the extra weight of the canned light fixture.
3. Pull the support extenders on the canned light outward with your fingers. Position the canned light on the top of the suspended ceiling track. Center the light in the middle of the opening. The ends of the supports have hooks that wrap around the top of the suspended ceiling track.
4. Tighten the wing-nut screws at the end of each support track with your finger to secure the lighting to the ceiling grid. Attach the wires to the light wires according to the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Measure from each side of the ceiling grid to the center of the light. Transfer the measurement to the face of the ceiling tile. Center the cardboard template over the center mark on the ceiling tile. Cut the ceiling tile around the cardboard template with a utility knife.
6. Reinstall the ceiling tile into the grid. The light fixture protrudes slightly into the tile opening. Attach the trim kit that comes with the fixture according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most trim pieces simply screw onto the fixture while some use small screws.
Tags: ceiling tile, canned light, , according manufacturer instructions, canned lighting