Recessed lighting fixtures comprise three basic parts: trim, housing and lamp. Recessed lighting manufacturers at present offer interchangeable parts for maximum versatility. Prior to selecting fixtures, you must decide what effect you want to accomplish. Gentle, lighting throughout the room? Spotlighting an item in the library? Make your choice according to your plans.

Recessed trims include reflectors that enhance light production, open trims that create a finished look for a lighting fixture, baffles that minimize glare and reduce overall brightness, adjustables and directionals that maximize the versatility of ceiling lighting fixtures, diffusers that diffuse the light for a softer, wider beam, and shallow or steep ceiling reflector trims that minimize glare from Recessed fixtures used on sloped ceilings.

Among recessed housings, you find incandescent and halogen recessed housings that are economic as well as versatile. You can use dimmer controls for incandescent dimming. To control halogen housings, you have to use dimmer switches designed for that specific purpose. If you have a ceiling too high to reach, your best choice is fluorescent housing, which saves energy as well. Low voltage MR16 recessed housings help you to achieve precise accent lighting. If there is no access above the ceiling, a remodeling housing might be useful.

You should take care that recessed cans must be installed at least three inches away from any insulation. If direct contact with insulation is unavoidable, the recessed lighting housing should have a UL Insulated Ceiling rating. You can get recessed housing apertures in different sizes designed for general lighting, accent and task lighting and high-ceiling lighting.

Incandescent light bulbs are popular mainly because they are less expensive. They can be purchased in many sizes for various applications as well. Halogen light bulbs provide more light and last longer than standard incandescent bulbs. But compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are the best choice, as they use less energy and last much, much longer. They are also available in various shades for your convenience.