Replies

1. 
   Piffin | May 11, 2003 05:50pm | #1

   is this accesable from the attic? You will be needing to prevent vapour lose into that space too.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   fireball | May 11, 2003 06:14pm | #2

   Hey Rob,

   I'm not sure what you mean about having to put a metal box around your recessed fixtures.Just get the I/C type fixture,which means you can install it In Contact with insulation.Some people make drywall or other types of boxes for over top of them as energy saving methods,is that what you mean? Anyway,I wouldn't worry about a can light going up through wood lath.It's attached to wood joists anyway.Just don't put too high a wattage lamp in them or place them too close to the eave where the heat could cook the bottom side of the roof sheathing.

   Barry

1. 
   RobN | May 11, 2003 07:29pm | #3

   The light fixture we want to use is rated for non insulated ceilings.  In order for them to be used in an insulated space I am suppose to put them in a metal box so that the insulation can sit on top of the box and not have to worry about a fire.  A box made of drywall--thats a good idea and cheap to.  However,  what I still do not understand is that the light fixture will still be in contact with the lath where I cut it out.  Could the heat from the light make this a potential fire hazard?  I do have access to the attic and I could try and pull the lath away from the hole.  What is your opinion?

1. 
   fireball | May 12, 2003 07:09am | #4

   Rob,

   If you get up in the attic and try to remove lath from around the hole that you have cut for the fixture,I think you'll end up making a mess of the plaster around it.Whenever I have to mess with plaster/lath,it either comes apart or won't come apart depending on what I need it not to do.Personally I wouldn't sweat it about the fixture being in contact with the lath,it's only for a height of what,three eighths of an inch? The manufacturer is worried about you piling up 8" of insulation all around the fixture causing it to heat up.Just don't put an overrated halogen lamp in it and I think you'll be fine.

   Barry

1. 
   RobN | May 12, 2003 05:05pm | #5

   Thanks Barry.  In regards to the box that will sit over top of the light fixture, would 1/2" drywall be suffice and should the box be vented a bit or completely solid?

   Rob

1. 
   fireball | May 13, 2003 06:12am | #6

   Rob,

   I've never built these boxes myself,only read here about others doing them that way.I can't tell you for sure what actually works best.

   Barry