Did a no no a few years back, bought regular 6″ recessed lights without any consideration for insulating them. Now in the winter I get lots of cold air through all those little holes in them. Learned that lesson the hard way and that was before I ever knew there was a difference.

So…today…..remodelling my bathroom. I got the IC rated 6″ cans that they call “airtight” and wonder how loosely they may be using that term. Anyways….plan on installing them in a ceiling over which is an attic that gets as cold as outside air. Thus the need to seal them and insulate well is of highest priority.

Please share the methods you all have used to ensur a good insulated fixture. I believe I shoiuld run the insulation (R30 fiber batts) right smack up to the fixture as best as possible, but can they actually be covered, or even buried, with another batt of insulation? Does IC mean they can be buried in insulation?

Along the same lines, in the bath/shower, I plan on installing 5″ recessed cans. But I plan to build down a soffit over the tub/shower so as to make it more cozy. The soffit will project about 12″ below the ceiling. The ceiling already has R30 batts installed, so when I install the 5″ cans the tops of the cans will be almost nudging the paper vapor barrier of the existing R30. Is this an OK thing to do? And is there any concerns for heat buildup in the soffit area? The 5″ cans are the airtight variety also.

Thanks

Rich