WHAT IS A DOWNLIGHT?
Downlights are one of the most practical, attractive and discreet ways to light your home, whether it is in the kitchen, hallway, living room or bedroom. In fact there are downlighters available for any room you choose.
Downlights, also referred to as recessed luminaires, are light fixtures which are installed directly into the ceiling, not onto it. A hole is cut out of the ceiling (or wall for other recessed variants, such as wall or path markers), and the downlight wired in and pushed into the hole and secured.
In this way, the front face of the downlight is almost flush to the surface of the ceiling.
WHAT TYPES OF DOWNLIGHT ARE AVAILABLE?
As well as the normal variants of light source, normally 12V Low Voltage Halogen (becoming less common), 230V Mains Voltage Halogen or more commonly now, integrated, or built in LED.
Downlights are also available with different ingress protection (IP) ratings too, making them perfect for bathroom, wet and shower rooms.
You can learn more about IP ratings by clicking here.
As well as these options, there is the important consideration of fire rating.
WHAT IS A FIRE RATED DOWNLIGHT?
A fire rated downlight means that they have in-built fire protection that seals the downlighter in the event of a fire in your home. This does not prevent a fire, but it does prevent the spread of the fire and smoke into other areas of your home. Most importantly, it gives the occupant more time to escape and for the fire to be extinguished.
WHAT FIRE RATING DO I NEED?
Fire rated downlights must be fire resistance tested to 30, 60 or 90 minutes; this is important. The fire rated downlights fitted must match the minimum period of fire resistance of the ceiling you are fitting them into. Typical fire resistance of the ceiling in a modern, domestic home is 60 minutes. If in doubt always consult your builder or qualified electrician.
WHERE CAN I BUY FIRE RATED DOWNLIGHTS?
First Choice Lighting has a wide range of over 70 fire rated downlights, in multiple colour options, IP ratings, shape and size and Light source technology. We are constantly adding to our comprehensive offer at competitive prices, making us a perfect shop for choosing your downlights.
You can see our full selection of fired rated downlights by clicking here.
If you need any advice or help when picking downlights, or any of our other lights, then please email us on info@firstchoicelighting.co.uk or call us on 0203 137 8400.
