Bathroom Downlights
Bathroom Down Lighting
Bathroom downlights are becoming more and more popular as an unobtrusive way of lighting a bathroom. They are flexible, easy to install and are available in a variety of finishes to complement the rest of your bathroom.
They need to be suitably IP rated to ensure that they comply with current regulations. These regulations exist for your safety and should always be adhered to. They are all available in low voltage and mains voltage options. The low voltage option requires the use of a transformer.
To achieve the IP rating, they have a glass front and are sealed with a gasket where they meet the ceiling. In addition, the lamp is held inside the fitting away from the glass. This prevents the glass getting hot and then shattering if water were to be sprayed on it. IP65 down lights can be used in every area of the bathroom including directly above a shower cubicle or bath.
Recent manufacturing techniques have seen adjustable and eyeball recessed fittings suitable for use in bathrooms and for installation above a shower. To achieve this protection, they are fitted with a gasket where the adjustable lens is attached to the main body. This gasket prevents the ingress of water and steam.
Low voltage bathroom down lights are slightly more expensive to buy due to the cost of a transformer and replacement lamp costs are slightly higher than the mains voltage equivalent. This is offset slightly by a higher lumen per watt output, whiter light and longer lamp life.
Mains voltage bathroom down lights are less expensive to buy and lamp costs are lower than their low voltage equivalent. They have the added advantage that they readily accept energy saving LED replacement lamps that will last for over 30,000 hours in normal use.
If your bathroom has living accommodation above or it is a new installation, then fire rated down lights must be used. These are available in both mains and low voltage, either with or without a can. They are available with 30, 60 and 90-minute fire ratings but 90 minutes is obviously more desirable. We only supply 90-minute fire rated down lights.
To assist you further in making an informed choice, please see our lighting information page, where you will find an article entitled Recessed Downlights Explained.
If you require any further help or advice on bathroom down lights, please contact us for friendly, honest and down to earth advice. Alternatively you can share your question with others by posting it in our customer interactive area.
© 2011: Sye Yehya. Universal Lighting Services Ltd: Tel 0151-650-2138. All rights reserved.