Recessed Lighting Installation in Pittsburgh

LED can lights, canless wafer lights and old cans converted to LED, laid out for your room.

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Recessed Lighting Installation Planned Around the Room

Good recessed lighting starts with a plan. Where the fixtures land decides whether a counter is bright or shadowed. We lay out every job around how you use the room, then pick the right fixture for the ceiling we find.

Renaissance Electric has installed can lights and LED recessed lighting for Pittsburgh homeowners since 1997. Bigger projects often pair with rewiring or a new circuit, and every installation carries our lifetime workmanship warranty.

A modern white kitchen with a black glass cooktop, wall oven, stainless fridge and a gray island.
A two and a half story brick house with white trim and dormers among colorful autumn trees.

Signs It's Time for Recessed Lights

  • One center fixture leaves the room's corners dark
  • You cook in your own shadow at the counter
  • Old cans with yellow bulbs that burn out often
  • Can trims that are rusty, loose or sagging
  • Low basement ceilings where hanging fixtures get hit
  • LED bulbs that flicker or buzz on the dimmer
  • Bathroom lights that aren't rated for the shower
  • You're remodeling and the ceiling is already open

How We Install Recessed Lighting

1. Walkthrough

We check the room, ceiling and joists.

2. Layout

We mark spots for even light with no shadows.

3. Fixture Choice

IC or non IC, wet or damp rated, can or canless.

4. Wiring

We fish wire through the ceiling and keep patches small.

5. Dimmers

Each zone gets a dimmer rated for its LED fixtures.

6. Test and Clean Up

We test every light and leave the room clean.

Recessed Lighting Work We Handle

New LED Recessed Lights

LED can lights for kitchens, living rooms, basements and bedrooms.

Canless Wafer Lights

Thin LED lights with their own junction box that fit shallow ceilings.

Remodel Cans for Plaster

Cans installed from below in finished ceilings with no attic access.

Old Cans Converted to LED

LED retrofit modules that update the cans you already have.

Bathroom and Shower Lights

Wet and damp rated fixtures where the code calls for them.

Kitchen Remodel Lighting

Recessed, under cabinet and pendant lighting wired on new circuits.

Plaster Ceilings, IC Ratings and Old Pittsburgh Homes

Many Pittsburgh houses have plaster and lath ceilings with a finished floor above and no attic to work from. We use remodel cans or canless wafer lights that go in from below, find the joists first and fish wire between holes to keep patching small.

An IC rated fixture can touch insulation; a non IC fixture needs clearance, so insulated ceilings get IC rated lights. A light in or over the shower must be wet rated, and the rest of the bathroom takes damp rated fixtures.

Converting old cans to LED retrofit modules is often the fastest upgrade. New circuits get a permit from your borough, township or the City of Pittsburgh, and we schedule the inspection. Contact us with questions.

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White NM cable running through drilled holes in wood studs with a nail plate during a rough in.

What Affects Recessed Lighting Installation Cost

We quote after we see the ceiling, and the estimate is free. These move the number:

  • Number of lights and switch zones
  • Plaster or drywall ceiling
  • Attic access above or a finished floor
  • Can, canless or retrofit fixtures
  • Wet, damp or IC ratings needed
  • Dimmer type and smart controls
  • Whether a new circuit is needed
  • Patching and permit needs

What Homeowners Say About Our Lighting Work

Real Google reviews from customers who had recessed and LED lighting installed.

Eric replaced our outdated ceiling lights in our family room with recessed LED lights. He was very strategic with the placement of the lights, trying to avoid shadows, and was thorough in explaining his plans with us.

Joel S.

Adam and Erik installed new eyeball lighting in my bedroom and installed new outlets and smart switches in my home. The work was high quality, and completed on-time and on-budget.

Jared R.

Our basement was dark and all the lights were on different switches. New LED lights were installed that illuminate every inch of the basement and turn on all at once.

Dominique T.

Renaissance Electric replaced 4 hardwired under-cabinet fluorescent lights with 4 led lights. The difference is astounding.

Lisa A.

Recessed Lighting Guides From Our Electricians

Recessed Lighting Installation Questions

How far apart should recessed lights be?

Start at about half the ceiling height apart, roughly 4 feet on an 8 foot ceiling, and 2 to 3 feet off the walls. See our room by room guide.

Can you install recessed lights without attic access?

Yes. Remodel cans and canless wafer lights install from below.

Can you put recessed lights in a plaster ceiling?

Yes. We find the joists first and cut clean openings to limit cracking.

What is the difference between IC and non IC rated?

IC rated fixtures can touch insulation. Non IC fixtures need space around them.

What are canless recessed lights?

Thin LED wafer lights with a remote junction box. They fit shallow ceilings where a can won't.

Do bathroom recessed lights need to be wet rated?

In or over the shower, yes. Elsewhere in the bathroom, damp rated is the usual minimum.

Why do my LED recessed lights flicker on the dimmer?

Usually the dimmer was made for incandescent bulbs. We install dimmers rated for your LED fixtures.

Can you convert my old cans to LED?

Usually. An LED retrofit module screws into the old socket if the housing is in good shape.

Are pot lights the same as can lights?

Yes. Pot lights, can lights and downlights are all recessed lighting.

Do I need a permit for recessed lighting?

New circuits usually do. We pull it from your borough, township or the City of Pittsburgh and schedule the inspection.

Get a Free Recessed Lighting Installation Estimate

Licensed PA electricians since 1997. A person answers the phone.

Why Renaissance

Licensed & insured PA, Registration #PA-032900

Serving Pittsburgh since 1997, 28+ years

5-star rated on Google

EV charger certified installers

Residential and light commercial

Up-front pricing, no hidden fees

Power out or something burning? Call us any time. We offer 24 hour emergency service, 7 days a week.

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    PA Registered Contractor #PA-032900  ·  28+ Years in Pittsburgh  ·  Fully Insured  ·  5-Star Google

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