Professional Recessed Lighting Installation
Recessed lighting—also called "can lights" or "downlights"—is one of the most popular and versatile lighting solutions for modern homes. Unlike pendant lights or chandeliers, recessed lights sit flush with your ceiling, creating clean lines and uncluttered sightlines. They're perfect for ambient lighting in living rooms, task lighting in kitchens, and accent lighting in hallways and entryways.
At Lone Star Electric, we design recessed lighting systems tailored to your home's layout and lighting needs. Whether you're renovating a single room or installing whole-house recessed lighting in a new build, our licensed electricians handle everything from layout planning and proper can selection to installation and dimmer integration. We're experienced with the popular open-concept designs common in new builds throughout Frisco, McKinney, and the greater DFW area.
Types of Recessed Lighting Systems
By Installation Type
- IC-Rated (New Standard)
Insulation Contact cans allow direct contact with insulation. Required by NEC 410.116 for insulated ceilings and attics. Thermally protected, safer, and more efficient. Recommended for all new installations.
- Non-IC Recessed Lights
Older style requiring 3-inch clearance from insulation. Still used in some commercial applications but not recommended for residential homes with attic insulation.
By Light Source
- LED Integrated Lights
Built-in LEDs lasting 25,000+ hours (20+ years). No bulb replacement needed. Most energy efficient with 80%+ less energy than incandescent. Best for new construction and long-term value.
- Retrofit LED Fixtures
Accept replaceable LED bulbs, offering flexibility to change color temperature later. Good for older homes where can spacing varies or where you want future upgrades.
Standard Can Sizes
4-Inch Cans
Best for accent lighting, hallways, and smaller spaces. Lower light output but compact design.
5-Inch Cans
Versatile middle option for general ambient lighting in medium rooms. Good balance of brightness and spacing.
6-Inch Cans
Brightest output and most popular for kitchens, living rooms, and open-concept homes. Better coverage in large spaces.
Planning Your Recessed Lighting Layout
Proper spacing and placement are critical for achieving even light distribution and professional-looking results. We use industry standards to create custom layout plans for your home.
Spacing Guidelines
Standard rule: 1.5x ceiling height
| 8-ft ceiling | 12 ft apart |
| 9-ft ceiling | 13.5 ft apart |
| 10-ft ceiling | 15 ft apart |
| 12-ft ceiling | 18 ft apart |
These guidelines prevent dark spots between lights and avoid overlapping illumination.
Placement Best Practices
- •Avoid beams & framing
Route around structural elements. We use ceiling plans to identify framing before cutting.
- •Keep away from walls
Place lights at least 18–24 inches from walls to avoid dark ceiling edges.
- •Consider ceiling fans & vents
Coordinate placement to work around existing fixtures.
- •Task vs. ambient
Kitchens need task lighting over islands and counters; living rooms need ambient lighting for mood.
Kitchen Task Lighting Example
A typical 12×14 kitchen benefits from 4 to 6 recessed lights arranged in two rows: one row over the island (closer spacing for task lighting) and one row across the perimeter for ambient light. We'll add dimmer switches so you can adjust brightness for cooking or dining. LED integrated lights keep energy costs minimal.
Recessed Lighting Pricing
Our pricing includes design consultation, professional installation, wiring to dimmer switches, and all labor. Material costs vary based on fixture quality and LED vs. retrofit selections.
| Project Type | Typical Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Single LED Recessed Light | $150–$250 | One 5" or 6" LED integrated recessed light, fixture and installation |
| 4-Light Kitchen Retrofit | $500–$900 | Four recessed lights with retrofit LED bulbs, dimmer switch, for small kitchens or islands |
| 6-Light Kitchen Set | $700–$1,200 | Six LED integrated recessed lights, dimmer switch, layout planning for medium kitchens |
| Living Room Package (6–8 lights) | $900–$1,500 | Six to eight LED integrated recessed lights with proper spacing, dimmer controls, ambient lighting layout |
| Master Bedroom Set (4–6 lights) | $600–$1,000 | Four to six recessed lights with dimmer switch for ambient lighting and mood setting |
| Hallway & Entry Lighting | $400–$800 | Three to five recessed lights (4" or 5" cans) for hallways, entryways, and accent lighting |
| Whole-House Recessed Package | $2,000–$4,000 | 20–30 lights throughout main living areas, kitchens, bedrooms, hallways with full design consultation |
| Retrofit Upgrade (Existing Cans) | $50–$100 each | Replace old halogen or incandescent fixtures with new LED retrofit bulbs (no electrical work needed) |
* All prices include materials, labor, and dimmer integration where applicable. Design consultation is complimentary. Projects typically take 4–8 hours depending on room size and access to the space above the ceiling.
NEC Code Compliance & Safety
NEC 410.116 — IC-Rated Fixtures
Recessed fixtures must be IC-rated (Insulation Contact) where they'll be in contact with thermal insulation. Non-IC fixtures require 3 inches minimum clearance from insulation. Our team inspects your attic to determine the proper fixtures for your specific installation.
- •Thermal protection required on all fixtures
- •Proper junction boxes and wire connections
- •Fixtures rated for the electrical load they'll carry
Installation Standards
We follow best practices to ensure safe, long-lasting recessed lighting systems:
- •Proper box selection (shallow vs. deep ceiling boxes)
- •Secure mounting with bracing to prevent vibration and noise
- •Proper wire gauge and circuit protection for LED loads
- •Dimmer compatibility testing (not all dimmers work with all LEDs)
DFW Popularity & New Construction Trends
Open-concept home designs have become standard in new builds throughout Frisco, McKinney, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. These larger, more connected spaces require careful recessed lighting planning to achieve professional results. We've completed hundreds of recessed lighting installations in DFW new construction and renovation projects, from modern ranch-style homes to contemporary two-story designs. LED integrated fixtures are now the industry standard, offering 25+ year lifespans and significant energy savings compared to older halogen or incandescent systems.
Why LED Recessed Lighting Makes Sense
Energy Efficiency
LED recessed lights use 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and 60% less than halogen fixtures.
Long Lifespan
Integrated LEDs last 25,000+ hours (roughly 20+ years), eliminating bulb replacement hassles.
Design Quality
Modern LED fixtures offer excellent color rendering and consistent light quality across the room.
Heat Reduction
LED lights produce minimal heat, reducing strain on your AC system in summer months.
Dimmer Compatible
Quality LED fixtures work seamlessly with dimmer switches for mood and ambiance control.
Warranty & Support
Top brands like Halo and Lithonia offer 5–10 year warranties and excellent technical support.
Why Choose Lone Star Electric for Recessed Lighting
Professional Layouts
We create detailed plans showing light placement, spacing, and dimmer locations before installation begins.
Top Brands Only
We specify Halo, Lithonia, and WAC Lighting—industry leaders in performance and reliability.
Code Compliant
Texas TECL #29847. Every job meets NEC code and passes inspection. Warranty on all work.