How many spotlights do you need. How to choose and install ceiling spotlights

Stretch ceilings are becoming an increasingly popular solution for shaping the interior, but the lighting design of the room is becoming more complicated. Most often, spotlights are used in the design of stretch ceilings - they do not stand out from the general surroundings, they look concise and due to this they are suitable for most interior solutions. An important advantage of such lamps is durability and the absence of any specific maintenance. Electricity consumption will also be negligible.

How many spotlights do you need for a room?

One of the problems that people who want to install stretch ceilings face is determining the number of fixtures for sufficient illumination of the room. There is nothing complicated in the calculations, in taking into account some additional nuances - too. The main criteria to be taken into account are:

• Room area.
• Wall height.
• Natural light (depending on the size of the windows, on the location of the house).
• Other light sources (if any, or provided by the project).

The number of spotlights per square meter of the room will largely depend on the type and power of the lamps. For example, with a power of 35 W for every 1.5 sq.m. area should account for one lamp. The general recommended value is an illumination of at least 20 W per square meter.

Other calculation results will be obtained if spotlights are used only as additional light sources. If the initial illumination is sufficient, you can independently determine the number, brightness and location of the fixtures so that they best fit the existing design of the room.

The distance from one lamp to another should not be less than 30 centimeters. You can not place lighting fixtures next to the walls - the minimum distance in this case is 20 centimeters. If the ceiling height is less than 2.7 meters, the power of the spotlights must be less than 30 W, otherwise the lighting level will be unnecessarily high.

Spotlights on the market are offered by many brands. Particular attention should be paid to brands such as Eurolampart, Cremasco, Axo-light, Lightstar - these are brands that have long deserved international recognition. Naturally, these lamps are not too cheap, especially in retail. The best way to save money is to buy

Spotlights have long ceased to be a luxury item and, perhaps, you will not surprise anyone with them. Devices are used to create suitable lighting, decorate a room, and even as interior elements. There are some features of the selection of products, which depend on many factors. In this article we will tell you about how to choose spotlights for stretch ceilings and plasterboard.

Suspended ceiling

When choosing lighting fixtures for a plasterboard ceiling, you need to decide for what purpose you are going to install them:

• home decoration with correct location lighting devices;
• creating combined lighting and dividing the room into zones;
• an alternative to full-fledged lighting from a chandelier.

Spotlights for suspended ceilings can be made of any material, there are no restrictions. You can choose products from aluminum alloys or stamped metal, and the only thing you need to pay attention to is the proportionality of the height of the ceiling space to the dimensions of the closed part of the lighting fixture. For different products, the free space behind the plasterboard ceiling should be from 2 to 10 cm. Before choosing and buying the right model, be sure to find out what gap you own.

Types of fixtures

Of course, in order to choose the right spotlights for a plasterboard ceiling, you need to decide on the types of products, so we will dwell on this issue in more detail.

According to the type of installation, lighting fixtures are divided into:

By design, you can choose the following types of spotlights:

By the number of cartridges, lamps can be divided into:

Interesting video on the topic:

Lamps

Choosing the right spotlights for a plasterboard ceiling is, of course, an important event, but do not forget about buying a high-quality and suitable lamp. For these lighting fixtures, halogen, LED, mercury (energy-saving) and incandescent mirror lamps are suitable. The most successful option would be, despite the higher price compared to other light sources. These light bulbs are safe, have a long service life, and when you can easily adjust the brightness in the room.

You can also choose a halogen lamp for spotlights. It is not very economical, but it is ideal for rooms where strong lighting or highlighting of interior elements is needed. Mercury products, on the contrary, are economical to use, but their light is not very useful for vision and they are difficult to dispose of. As for incandescent lamps, we do not recommend using them in principle. They heat up quickly, are not durable and are not particularly effective.

A little about design

Of course, we all want to choose not only effective, but also beautiful spotlights that will fit the interior of the room and it doesn’t matter in which room you want to install them - in the living room, bathroom or kitchen. Everything should always be done with taste! This is especially true in cases where the design of the house is made in a particular style.

If you want to choose lighting fixtures for a classic room, we recommend purchasing items in a bronze frame. It is also possible to choose models with ornaments or crystal shades. For the Provence style, an oval golden frame with glass shades is recommended. For modern styles such as hi-tech or minimalism, cool metallic colors, square or round shapes are suitable. By the way, it is for this style that the use of cardan models will be successful. As you understand, the choice of spotlights for design is a purely individual process and, of course, everything here depends on your subjective vision and taste.

This issue is discussed in more detail in the video:

Stretch ceiling

As for how to choose spotlights for a stretch ceiling, here you can apply all the selection rules for a plasterboard ceiling space. However, there are still some nuances associated with the danger of heating the stretch fabric (by the way, these tips are also suitable for owners of a plastic ceiling):

If you need to choose spotlights for a stretch ceiling, we advise you to definitely watch a video that compares various options performance of soffits.

As you know, lighting plays an important role in any room. It is it that is able to emphasize the interior and present the room in a completely different guise. Modern designers recommend using lighting based on the installation of LEDs. In this article, we will give you tips on how to choose and install spotlights with your own hands.

Chrome spotlight

Why do you need such lamps

Only spot lighting can provide uniform illumination of all corners of the room. Even the largest chandelier cannot cope with such a task. All the same, the appearance of shadows and darkened corners of the room cannot be avoided, since there will be only one light source. Spotlights come to the rescue. Experts call them "spots". They have a small power and size, and are installed evenly over the ceiling area.

It should be noted that you can use this type of lighting only in the case of a false ceiling. Moreover, it will be necessary to develop a layout for the fixtures even before its installation.

Spotlights are fixed at the level of the false ceiling. Their lighting angle is 30 degrees, so it is recommended to install them as tightly as possible. The recommended distance between the rows of fixtures is no more than 1 meter. The extreme rows of lamps should be no more than 60 cm from the walls. Such figures are relevant for the standard height of the walls of our houses. Also keep in mind that lighting is most effective when it is at a higher height than the room's main furnishings.

Spot lighting can be mounted on suspended ceilings of any type. It is easiest and most reliable to install fixtures in a plasterboard ceiling. But for professionals, the process of installing spotlights in a plastic ceiling or aluminum strip is not difficult.

Spotlights on false ceiling

Note that such work requires certain installation knowledge and skills in working with tools and materials.

How to choose spotlights

If you want to install spotlights on a stretch ceiling system, you first need to understand this concept in terms of their physical properties.

You need to choose fixtures of the same type for each type of lighting. Please note that not all types of lamps may be suitable for fixtures. Pay attention to the technical characteristics of lamps and fixtures.

It is also necessary to choose the right wires for power transmission. Their cores should be of the 3rd class of flexibility, that is, they should consist of many thin wires. This will ensure their flexibility. For plasterboard ceilings, ordinary wires of the VVG brand, two- or three-core, with a cross section of 1.5 square meters, are quite suitable. mm. For stretch ceilings made of PVC film, plastic or MDF, RKGM brand wire is suitable.

You need to connect wires and fixtures using special terminal blocks. You can buy them at any hardware store. With this type of fastening, you should check the degree of their tightening twice a year. When it is loosened, the wires will heat up and char. You will also need electrical tape, which will serve as protection at the junctions of wires and fixtures.

Ceiling Properties

Keep in mind that incandescent lamps with a power of over 40 W cannot be used with stretch ceilings made of PVC film; from fabric - over 60 watts. If you decide to install halogen lamps, then their power should not exceed 20 W for the film and 35 W for the fabric base of the stretch ceiling.

Luminaire properties

When choosing fixtures, you must also follow our advice.

A spotlight must have a special side, which serves as a disguise for fasteners. Also, such a side ensures the stability of the structure itself on stretch ceiling. If you decide to create a “starry sky” effect in the room, based on a two-level stretch ceiling, professionals recommend purchasing good quality low-voltage lamps. There is no way to save money here.

But there are some downsides as well. For example, if the lighting system fails, it can be replaced with great effort.

When choosing the type of fixtures, pay attention that the light comes out directional, not diffused. On the ceiling, such lamps will create a much better effect.

There are lamps that are mirror coated or have a black bulb. They have better thermal insulation and light transmission. You can create this effect yourself by wrapping the lamp with foam insulating foil material. Also, do not forget about the safe distance at which it can be at least 13 cm. If you installed halogen lamps, then it should not be less than 6 cm.

Which lamps are better to choose

Manufacturers of lamps offer a choice of many models that are equipped with various types of lamps. Most often they are:

• incandescent;
• halogen;
• LED.

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Incandescent lamps

These types of lamps are not distinguished by a period of use - up to 1000 hours. But thanks to frosted glass, the light from them is scattered. Do not forget also about the minimum distance from the ceiling, which we wrote about earlier.

Such lamps are most often used to illuminate showers, baths, saunas and other rooms in which there is high humidity. This choice is made in their favor, since more sophisticated electronic lighting systems may not withstand moisture.

One of the disadvantages is also the fact that heat accumulates in the space between the stretch and the main ceiling, which after a while can harm the lamp or the canvas.

Classic tungsten incandescent lamp

Halogen lamps

Halogen lamps are brighter than incandescent lamps, although they have the same power consumption. Moreover, their service life is from 2000 to 4000 hours. Also, the advantage of cone-shaped lamps using "halogens" is their directional lighting.

When installing or replacing halogen lamps, be extremely careful not to touch them with your hands. Their shell is made of quartz, on which grease can remain from touching. Over time, it heats up and destroys the structure of the lamp coating.

Classic halogen incandescent lamp

LED lamp

Incandescent and halogen lamps use alternating current. LED - permanent. Lamps with such lamps will work up to 5 years. They also generate much less heat. The only drawback over the previous ones is their cost, which is much higher than the rest.

Installation of spotlights

Any work begins with the preparation of all materials and the necessary equipment. To install spotlights you will need:

• wires and sleeves for their connection;
• lamps;
• lamps;
• switches;
• tape, shrinkage.

Installation of fixtures can be conditionally divided into several stages:

• development of the placement scheme;
• wiring;
• cutting holes in the ceiling;
• installation;
• examination.

Layout development

First of all, you have to decide where you want to mount spotlights. Especially if you are planning to build suspended ceiling from several levels. Then the lighting should be directed to a specific area of ​​​​the ceiling or room.

Also, the fixtures should not be located in those places where the ceiling frame will pass. This means that in addition to 1 meter between each other and 60 centimeters from the edges, the holes should be 3-5 centimeters from the frame. This is necessary so that you can freely mount the lamp itself without touching the ceiling frame.

Consider also the location of the main light source, such as a chandelier or wall lamp, if any. It is better then to direct spot lighting around the perimeter of the room, or to outline certain zones of it. Separate its switch from the main one.

Wiring

During installation, immediately make sure that the wiring for the fixtures is also fixed. Before drilling holes, make sure that the wires can be easily reached and connected to the lighting.

If you did not take into account some points and could not wire the wires in time, then connect the first spotlight element. The rest of the shades will have to be connected in turn, starting from the nearest one to the end.

Do not stretch the wire to the limit. Leave a small margin in case of changes in its length due to temperature. Also leave up to 20 cm a loop of bent wire for connection. Fasten it with plastic clamps. When the wiring is laid, you can proceed with the construction and installation of the ceiling or its covering.

Cutting holes in the ceiling

When the ceiling covering is installed, you can completely decide on the location of the spots. Previously, you selected the placement relative to the ceiling frame. If your ceiling is made of slabs or aluminum strips, you need to check if the location of the lamp shade matches the junction of the ceiling elements. All lamps must be inside them, not at the joints.

Remember, a hole can only be drilled once, and it will not be possible to get rid of it. Once again, make sure that all calculations are correct.

You can drill holes in the plasterboard ceiling using a special nozzle in the form of a circle. It is also needed for sockets in the walls. Only in this way will you achieve a perfect circle.

Choose a nozzle based on the size of the fixtures. They consist of two parts - external and internal. The hole should not be larger than the outer part and smaller than the inner one. The ideal discrepancy is 4–5 mm. In most cases, a nozzle with a diameter of 6 to 7.5 cm is used.

Installation

First of all, make sure that the wire is de-energized.

After all the holes are made, pull out the loops of wires that were previously made. If you have not taken this into account, then you will have to connect the wires in turn, starting from the first lamp.

To connect lighting, use wires up to 12 cm long. Strip a couple of centimeters and fix the desired wire in the appropriate terminal fixture on the lamp. Connect the other to the main supply cable. On the luminaire, the connection is indicated as follows: L - phase, N - zero, PE - grounding.

Fastening and checking

Most often, fixtures are equipped with two clips that are automatically attached to the ceiling. Bend them up until they stop and insert the spot into the hole. Make sure the wiring is not pinched. The clips themselves securely shrink on the ceiling.

After installing all the devices, you need to connect the main power cable to the power supply or switchboard. Now you can check the work of all spots and enjoy the new room lighting.

As you can see, installing spotlights is not so simple, but it is quite doable. If you have come across such works, share with readers in the comments below this article.