Wafer Lights vs. Recessed Cans; Which One Is Right For YOU?
Do you want to know which type of ceiling lighting is right for you? Recessed cans have been the go to in building most people's dream homes. But, there's a new fixture in town, the wafer lights!
Check out this Comparison of wafer lighting and traditional recessed lighting. In this video, we'll compare the implications for your BUDGET and DESIGN to help you decide which type of lighting is best for you.
I hope it helps you to know which type of lighting is best for you and to make the best decisions for your home.
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Best,
Liz
This was great timing for me to come across your video, I am building a home with 20’ ceilings and truely want to get this right on the lighting. Thanks for the info🇨🇦👍
Shop well! Those high ceilings demand great quality to get the lights you need. You’re going to be looking at lumens that go beyond the 6000 everyday light!
What a great video. I learned a lot. Thank you.
Thanks for watching! I’m working on another, so stay tuned! What questions did I miss?💡
"It dims until it is no more. Kinda like old age." LOLOLO!!
Ah, you are my people 🤣🤣🤣
Great video! I'm considering replacing around 20 cans in my 2007 built home. As a Realtor I see lots of poorly thought out surface mount (glaring) 5000k led lights that burn the retinas in my eyeballs. I've always hated the way they look, now I know why. People doing renno on the cheap will often use the flush mount even when they had the depth of an older can fixture to retro inside of. Your video is leading me to only shop for can LED reto kits that have at least some measure of recess designed in. (And no bluer then 3500K) Plus, having 10 ft ceilings on the main level will make the glare even worse if I don't put some thought into this! (Plus, I'd already considereed buying extras for inevitable failures, so I know I'm in good company with that thought) Thank you so much for all the points you raised.
Nora and Dals make great retro fit, true recessed cans that aren’t going to break the bank 🏦
Thanks. I am installing a ceder porch ceiling and plan on running 3 lights. I preinstalled the large recessed cans and after I got thinking, i am not looking forward to cutting the t&g boards for the lights. I am considering the ease of instling ultra thins as it would be way easier, but now you got me going back to the original idea. The other benefit to the traditional can is using smart bulbs tied into motion sensors.
With a beautiful cedar ceiling, you gotta go the extra mile! You’re going to have to cut the boards either way!
Love your videos and I almost found them too late. Looking for some recessed 4” lights for our kitchen and saw some brands you were recommending. Is there any advantage to the “designer spec” brands? Also do you recommend a color temperature for you kitchen? Thanks!!
Designer spec brands meaning you can’t order unless through a designer? Nah, same parts less a kick back. For color temp, 🤔 what’s your cabinet colors, other fixture’s colors, other adjacent room temp? You want to be the same, just vary lumens. 3000-4000K is bright and clean and usually the temp you’ll want in a kitchen. Test bulbs in the space, even if it’s in a lamp to get an idea how the colors etc will affect it!
I am so grateful for your information. I've been wanting to update my "boob" lights that came with my small home to recessed for years. But with little understanding of my own, I couldn't get past my confusion to make an educated choice to move forward. Had a friend swear up and down that her disk lights were the better alternative to recessed but, ugh, your video gave voice to what my gut said. I've always felt that my 1400 square foot 3 bed/3 bath (family of 5) home needs lighting upgrades but couldn't stomach the thought of putting (in my opinion) cheaper lights up. Thanks! Q: I'm looking into the brands you suggest (thanks!). What bulb would you put in a modern styled home/9 foot ceiling/open plan kitchen and living room? My cabinets are dark expresso. Lots of natural light. Thank you so much!
You mean Kelvin temperature? In kitchens, it’s recommended between 3000-4000 based on your preference and surrounding colors etc. 4000 will feel more pronounced next to espresso cabinets because blue and brown are opposites but it will also feel more contemporary, IMHO. 3000 is going to be more soothing and warm, cozy. Both will do the job with the right lumens! ⚡️Get on my email list, I’ve got goodies to share!
Wafer lights were the first wave. Newer options include "regressed" and canless recessed lights, and may be exactly the look you want, no can required.
Exactly! @elcolighting has an amazing Koto line that does all that and more!
I like the warm glow of the wafer light. And I like the can light. Limits on the can light. It is like a straight beam down. The effect is like going down a neighborhood street at night and you see the street light lighting one spot on one corner. I say use a combination. And as long as you are able to pop out the light yourself and not have to crawl into your attic then replacing them is very cost effective. The can light is more traditional. You can still get bulbs for them and change them out yourself. So it depends on your lighting needs. I do not mind the warm glow and fuller illumination the newer low profile and wafer lights have. They have so many options to fit your needs. Sometimes it is okay to move towards the future. I was told I should use the paper tape when doing my corners for drywall. Don't use the new mesh stuff. It won't hold up. Blah, blah, blah. Well I tried the paper and it was taking me longer to learn a technique to keep my seams smooth. So I switched to this newer tech. Mesh tape and it was so much easier to work with. My seams are smooth and 6 years later they still look great! And this is from a 60+ years old woman who learned to do drywalling, mudding, taping, texturing herself. So new is not always bad. 😉 Just different.
So true! The new technology makes some things much easier and less expensive. My issue is calling it a recessed light and expecting the same performance.
@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa😊
I really appreciate this video as it proved my instincts were right to go with traditional cans in my 650 sq ft ADU. I'm going with a beach theme and have very light flooring/walls and T&G pine ceiling. Any recommendations for interesting bulbs to help achieve the "beach feel"? I'm considering traditional incandescent (I have many cases of various sizes) but am open to other creative ideas.
I’d worry you can’t find fixtures that support them soon. There’s good quality halogen or gu bulbs that are great quality but their next on the chopping block for less efficiency🥲
Thank you for making this video! As someone that works in the category, these wafer lights have been WAY over spec'd! I have been walking into $3M homes with these everywhere and they make everything look flat, dull, and create no visual interest where it should be. I will be sharing this vid with a couple of my dealers. Thx
Thank you for watching! Lighting is the bastard child of design and I aim to shine a light on it so subscribe and share away! Btw, send those 3 mil contractors my digits!🤣😂We have work to do!
Great passion, need more of that from my sales team!....i am finishing my basement 30ft by 16, and 9ft ceiling,... very clean HVAC bisects the entire 30ft length at the midpoint 8 ft. My question is about the soffit, should i make one or just reduce all of the ceiling height by 10"? Your thoughts on lighting, 3 separate areas; kitchen, family and study. I know you need more info...but i am hoping you could steer me.
I wouldn’t reduce height, ever! 🤡 Need more info, send me an email! Liz@mydesignsherpa.com
Hi, can you please let me know what type will work best for a nail salon 700sq ft. I was thinking of the LED lights but now saw your video. I need help please
Layers! You need bright LED lights for the actual work. Spots don’t work well in this situation unless they are good with a tight beam. Lamps are a better solution for desktop. There 4000k + is needed. Then some up lights?, sconces to make everyone look pretty, ie come back💰 eye level and hidden lights our friend for atmosphere! Strip LED is inexpensive and versatile. Look for quality, there’s a KZhead video for that. Otherwise they have beads lights showing. You Want versatility in intensity. But not temp! So all those other lights should be same temp just less bright (or colors)
Which lamp is the right one for recessed luminaires to illuminate hotels in the United States? Are the gu10 the most convenient?
I don’t think there’s a standard? The gu bulbs are fab though. I’ve got several with 14 years of light!
Be great to see some examples of what you would recommend
For cans or wafers? Cans are easy. WAC, Juno, elements, Dals, maybe Halo. Those brands also make wafers and the spelling is correct in the description of their products. Does that help?
Wafer light plus a baffle and gimbal? To get that recessed look? Liz found the juno contractor 4 inch, which is gold, but no gimbal. Anyone find a wafer plus baffle plus gimbal? Im limited as my space above ceiling is only 7.5 inches. Limits my options for "cans".
Look at Nova lighting. Juno
@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa I wonder if anyone has just bought baffle trims (theu like $4) and install their wafer light on top of the baffle. Not sure if that is safe or legit
You didn’t what your favorite canned lights are. 😮 Love your videos though!❤
I don’t have one! What light suits the situation? and then I’m a fan. There’s several good brands. Dals WAC, Elco, Nora, Elements💰 Halo and Juno are common box store choices but online will get you more options. What are the specs you need? Then go find one that fits. Hope that helps
@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa you’re amazing thank you so much. Lighting is so confusing, but we’re so blessed to have you. ❤️
Hi nice vid. As soon as youtube's algorithm showed me your first vid, I kept on watching more and more. Questions, is can-less the same as wafer? I see can-less are not that thin. I see Nora has can-less. What's the difference? I googled, but the search results are not to my liking.
I think you’re talking about the Theia line from Nora. They are “can less” in that they don’t have the housing box for the bulb to go in. It’s one unit like a wafer light, bulb and trim kit. But, the theia line has a slight REAL recess of the bulb itself into the housing/trim. Not too pricey either!💡
And thanks btw, for the kind words!👩🎨
You mentioned "if one dies and I have to replace it in a year or two years or whatever 50,000 hours is" (4:34). If a light is used 4 hours a day, every day, 50,000 hours would last (50,000 / 4) / 365 which is over 34 years. You can get "regressed canless wafer" lights that offer some benefits of recessed cans.
Yes there are a few brands that offer a slight baffle or a gimbal in the wafers. But, I have wafer lights with those estimated life spans already twinkling.
What are your recommended manufacturers for recessed cans?
There are lots of choices out there. What's your budget? what features are important? WAC, Ion, Lumens, Perigold,,Halo (not from HD), Nora, Phillips are designer spec'ed lights ($$$) but there's tons of options based on your supplier. If you're looking for wafer lights, too soon to tell, but I'd stick with a reputable brand.
Can all wafer lights be dimmed?
No. Check the specifications!
LEDs never last as long as the manufacturers claim. I always have premature failures of the "bulbs" and integrated fixtures.
Yes! The electrician installed some wafers outside at our new old house and they are already hinting at flickering, less than two years!
great advice, I also like the recessed look that these wafer lights just don't give for main rooms. If you want to light your Ethan Allen furniture, use recessed lights, those wafer lights are not gonna do it.
Wafer lights are not cheap lol I spent $60/piece and they last 30-40 years on normal usage so not being able to replace them is not a big deal
You got the good ones!
Is it just me, or does the quality of the wafer lights kinda suck. Sometimes it seems foggy in the lighted area, like the light quality is not that good. When I light up a regular lamp with a normal LED bulb its much more pleasant and can see more clearly. Maybe its the difuser on the lamp that filters it, but its much more softer.
It’s not just you!!! They SUCK!
540 ❤
Thanks for speaking truth to LED!
I’m screaming in the dark! 💡 🤣
oh me never relaizeding this
I installed the thin led lights in my garage as a grid (which is the pattern you want for automotive), my closet and the basement staircase. These are all around duty lights for me. Especially for vehicle detailing, picking out clothing or trying not to break my neck descending the stairs. These lights wouldn’t do justice for coffered ceilings and raised paneling on walls. … sincerely a ♓️ Pisces
Perfect use for them!
not a fan of wafer lights. eye sore