I am in the process of finishing an attic space which has 4 foot knee walls 16′ apart, 8′ high flat ceiling in the center, and 45 degree ceiling/wall between the two. Do you think one row of 6″ cans down the center will spread enough light toward the kneewalls. Or do you think I will need angled recessed in each side as well. Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.
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For general bedroom/playroom/den lighting.....yes. Space cans about 5-6' apart.
Flat section of ceil is about 8' wide, with about 4' sloping each side.....correct?
If you plan to use the room for hobby (games, puzzels, crafts etc) you might need more light. You could also consider doing two rows about 7' apart (but both on the flat ceil) with a can every 5-6' or so.
If I were you wold suggest that you jury rig the cans on some cable and hold them up .I think that you will find that when you are in the room facing the knee walls your hands will be in shadow .My experience with lighting that kind of space, perimeter or if you know the furniture layout, task lighting is the way to go.I am at present sorting the lighting on a similar space 35' long and 17' between knee walls with a 12' flat ceiling.With perimeter lighting you could wall wash the slope using cans or track.I like track if there is insulation above the ceiling just for ease of A/vb sealing
That depends what you plan to use the room for. Some activities would need them 32" apart, some 39" spacing, others fine at 4-5' You can also get different bulbs with differing spread angles.
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As you suspected, I don't think a row of cans down the center will throw enough light out to the kneewalls. I'm not an expert though. Ninty five percent of the cans we use are either in the kitchen or accent over the fireplace. I have used them for general lighting in rooms with higher ceilings though but there were installed in some kind of grid pattern.
Anyway I went and Google a little:
http://www.cooperlighting.com/content/design/easy_selection_guide/easy_selection_guide1.cfm
Step 5 is particularly interesting.
As far as placing can lights in the sloped ceilings, I think that would be inviting an inadequate insulation job, you still may not get light at the edges and I think they might tend to be "in your face".
Are you sure recessed lighting is a good choice for this application?