How To Install Light Fixture In Finished Ceiling

The easiest pick would be to run a new cable straight from the switch, upwards to the ceiling fixture. You'll desire to either install a larger box and a new switch, or a double switch, so the light can be controlled independently.

If y'all're working in a home constructed of solid wood framing, you should exist able to run the new cable fairly hands. Since you didn't mention where the switch is, or which way the joist run, I'll cover a few scenarios.

Wall side by side to joists

If the switch is in the middle(ish) of the wall, and the joists are adjacent to the wall. You might get lucky, and simply going up the wall will country y'all in the proper joist bay.

In this state of affairs, you'll simply have to drill a hole through the top plate, then run your cable.

If you're non then lucky, and the switch box does not line upward with the joist bay.

You'll have to bore some holes through the joists to reach the ceiling box.

In this case you'll want to consult local building codes, to figure out where and how to bore the holes.

Wall parallel to joists

If the wall runs parallel to the joists, there's no getting around it, you're going to have to diameter through the joists.

In this case information technology doesn't thing if you're near the middle of the wall, or to one side or the other. The procedure will be the same.

Dull the holes

To get from the switch box to the ceiling box, you're going to have to drill through at to the lowest degree one structural member. Still, if yous have the proper tools, the damage tin exist minimized. To do this with the least corporeality of impairment possible, y'all're going to desire a flexible drill fleck, extensions, and an alignment tool.

Through the top plate

To drill through the peak plate, yous'll need to make a pigsty in the finished wall. Cut a pigsty in the wall to a higher place the switch box, virtually the ceiling. Cut the hole far enough from the ceiling, so you take room to position the flexible drill bit.

Use the alignment tool to position the bit, and drill up through the pinnacle plate. Depending on the construction style, this could exist a double top plate.

Through the joists

To go through the joists, y'all tin take advantage of the hole you've cut for the ceiling box. Again use the alignment tool to position the flexible drill bit, and start drilling in a straight(ish) line towards the wall with the switch box. Add extensions as you lot go, to extend your reach.

Pulling the cablevision

Now that yous have a clear path from the switch box to the ceiling fixture, y'all'll have to pull the cable through the wall/ceiling. Depending on how things line upwardly, you might have to cut a few mitt holes in the finished wall/ceiling to help you maneuver the cable. A fish record might come up in handy.

Future proofing and other considerations

Ceiling fans are a common upgrade, so it might exist worth a little added expense now. Installing a braced ceiling box, will allow y'all to install a ceiling fan in the future.

Ceiling fans ofttimes come with lite kits, and it's mutual for folks to want to control the fan and light(due south) independently. Instead of installing #/two with basis cable, y'all might want to install #/3 with ground. This volition allow you to install i switch for the fan, and one for the light kit.

Wearisome vs. Notching

While you lot may, or may non exist able to notch the joists to run the cable. Wearisome holes can be done with less impairment to the finished cloth, and won't make structural engineers blench.

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WARNINGS:

Consult your local government regarding any permits that might exist required. And always follow all manufacturers installations instructions, and all local edifice codes.

If y'all're working in a habitation that does non take solid wood members, consult local building codes for appropriate form of action.

If you lot endeavour to notch the joist, you could stop upward with your 2nd flooring on your offset floor.

Source: https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/47870/how-can-i-install-a-light-fixture-in-the-ceiling-of-a-finished-room

Posted by: mathersvengland.blogspot.com

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