How to Install Recessed Soffit Lighting
As a professional electrician with years of experience installing recessed lights, I can tell you that soffit lighting is a fantastic way to enhance your home's curb appeal while boosting safety and visibility after dark. Installing exterior LED soffit lighting is an excellent investment for highlighting architectural features and providing functional illumination for pathways and outdoor spaces. In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of installing recessed lights in outdoor soffits, focusing on the key tools, materials, and expert tips you'll need for a successful installation.
Choosing the Right Recessed Soffit Lights: Retrofit vs. Canless Options
Before getting started, it's very important you choose the correct type of recessed light for the soffit you have. If your soffits already have a recessed can or housing in them, you'll need a retrofit recessed light that can fit into the existing housing you have. If there's no pre-installed can or housing in your soffit, you'll need to purchase canless recessed lights and cut a hole into the soffit so they can be installed.Understanding Different Soffit Materials
Different LED soffit lights require varied installation techniques, so knowing what type you're working with is important.
Aluminum Soffits
Aluminum soffits are durable, weather-resistant, and lightweight, making them ideal for outdoor lighting installations. They are easy to cut, but care should be taken not to warp the material during installation.
Vinyl Soffits
Vinyl soffits are affordable and low-maintenance but can be brittle. Handle them carefully, especially when drilling holes for canless installations, as they can crack under pressure.
Recessed Lighting For Sloped Soffits
Some soffits are on a angle, like how the image above shows. In this case, you will need to install recessed lights with an adjustable lens so that you can direct the light at the correct angle. Do not install non-adjustable recessed lights on angled soffits ever.
Wood Soffits
Ensure the wood is treated to withstand outdoor conditions.
Tools and Materials Needed for Installing Recessed Soffit Lighting
For a successful installation, you’ll need the following tools and materials:
- Outdoor rated LED recessed lights: Choose lights specifically rated for outdoor use, like NuWatt’s recessed lights. Not all recessed lights are rated for outdoor conditions, they can be made of cheap materials like plastic. Recessed lights made of plastic will leak air because they are lighter in weight, in extreme hot conditions they can warp, melt, or completely overheat and burn out. Purchase recessed lights made of alumium, the metal heak sink and metal trim offer longevity.
Get Wet Rated Recessed Lights
When installing exterior soffit lighting, it’s essential to use wet rated recessed lights. These lights are designed to withstand direct exposure to moisture, featuring sealed housings and corrosion resistant materials.
Retrofit vs. Canless Recessed Lights
Retrofit recessed lights: For people who have a recessed can (housing).
Canless recessed lights: for people who do not have a recessed can or housing. You will need to manually connect three wires to the nearest power line.
How to Install Soffit Lights: Step by Step
Step 1: Know your setup
Its very important that you use recessed lights that are WET Rated, and know whether you need a retrofit recessed light kit or canless recessed light kit before you do anything. If you have a soffit thats on an angle you will always need to use adjustable recessed lights, otherwise known as gimbals lights or directional recessed lights.Step 2: Drill a Hole Using A Circular Saw
Using a power drill and hole saw, cut holes at the marked positions for your lights. You will only need to cut a hole into the soffit if you do not have pre-installed recessed cans/housing. NuWatt canless lights come with a cut out template so you do not have to measure the diameter of the hole. Purchase canless lights, and use the template cut out to determine what size metal hole cutter drill bit attachment you need.Step 3: Locate the Circuit Breaker
Turn off the circuit breaker that supplies power to the area where you'll be working. If you are unsure about this part, you should consider hiring an electrician to do the rest. You can still pick the size, shape, and color of your soffits lights; do not attempt to install ceiling lights with the electrical power on.Step 4: Run Electrical Wiring
This is the most challenging part of the installation; everything after this step gets easier.
From Power Source to Switch:
- Route Cable: Run a new electrical cable from the power source (circuit breaker or existing junction box) to the wall switch location.
- Fish Wire: Use fish tape to pull the wire through walls.
From Switch to First Light:
- Run Cable: Extend the cable from the switch box to the first light opening hole.
Between Lights:
- Daisy Chain Wiring: Run cables from the first light to the second, and so on, connecting all lights in series.
Secure Wiring:
- Staple Cables: Use cable staples to secure the wires every 5 feet.
Step 5: Wire the Fixtures
Follow the installation guide for NuWatt canless recessed lights to connect the wires to each recessed light fixture. Make sure connections are secure and properly insulated.Step 6: Install the Recessed Lights
Insert the recessed light into the hole and ensure it sits flush with the soffit. Use the provided clips or tabs to keep it securely in place.
Benefits of Outdoor Soffit Lighting
Adding recessed soffit lighting to your home brings a host of benefits, including:
- Increased Visibility and Safety: Illuminate walkways, driveways, and entryways for safer navigation at night.
- Enhanced Curb Appeal: Highlight architectural features to make your home stand out after dark.
- Increased Property Value: Well-planned exterior soffit lighting placement can enhance your home’s value and appeal to potential buyers.
Conclusion
Avoid plastic recessed lights, higher quality recessed ceiling lights is a great investment and gives your home a modern look.