downlights and insulation

peterwynne

Our house - detached bungalow - we bought and renovated last year. We put in quite a number of downlights. As a result - there is bound to be a major dent in the effectiveness of the insulation which had to have holes torn out of it to make way for these lights.

I found some fireproof shrouds in screwfix - but they are £12 each - we have about 30 downlights in our house - so they are prohibitively expensive.

Anyone got any suggestions or ideas?

Volcano

I can't see the holes in the insulation making a huge difference to the overall insulation of each room. The shrouds sold by screwfix are only really for commercial buildings so the celings can comply with fire regs, not to replace any insulation.

Any covering behind the lamps will increase heat build up and so fire risk/premature failure of the bulbs.

Personally I'd take the minor heat loss in exchange for a low risk of fire any day

NOWSE

We have just had some building work done and had downlighters fitted both upstairs and downstairs. I was told that the lights downstairs had to be fitted with covers to comply with regulations regarding fire. However, apparently, the covers are not neceassary for the lights upstairs as there is only roofspace above. The builders have placed insulation above the lights.

chrisw

I read somewhere, it might have been on here, that someone used upturned flower pots which seemed like a good idea.

Plasticman

chrisw wrote:

I read somewhere, it might have been on here, that someone used upturned flower pots which seemed like a good idea.

I assume you don't mean plastic ones! Not sure I'd advise that - sounds like you'd be liable to a build up of heat and increased chance of a fire.

andycarmi

Hi

I have just fitted a large number of downlights upstairs at our house in 2 bathrooms. The idea I came up with which was really simple was to use catering Bake bean tins (the large type) all you need to do is cut both ends off and place them over the lamps. They work a treat and keep the insulation away from the lamp without making it over heat. Hope this helps you,

I managed to get them from my works canteen.

Andy

jennifernil

Or try big coffee and drinking chocolate tins.

catkins

Use pottery flower pots that have a hole in the bottom.

tooconfused_2

Pottery plant pots are fine a friend of mine who is a sparky ran this by the NHBC inspector and all he suggested was to run a small bead of silicone around the edge of the pot so it sticks to the plasterboard and so cannot be accidentally moved

mystic_bertie

i am interested in fitting downlighters in my bathroom upstairs and in my living room downstairs, the bathroom should be easy enough due to loft access but how would i or an electrician fit them on my living room ceiling, would this have to be done from the room above the living room and lift the floor boards? I am about to lay laminate flooring in the room above soon so was wondering if the lights should be fitted first.

catwoman

My husband plans on fitting downlights in our bathroom this weekend, we have heard about the plant pot idea but we are going to board our loft out so the pots will be to tall. Is it ok to board over them with nothing over them? there will be the depth of the joists around them.