Wafer Lights vs. Recessed Cans; Which One Is Right For YOU?

Do you want to know which type of ceiling lighting is right for you? Recessed cans have been the go to in building most people's dream homes. But, there's a new fixture in town, the wafer lights!

Check out this Comparison of wafer lighting and traditional recessed lighting. In this video, we'll compare the implications for your BUDGET and DESIGN to help you decide which type of lighting is best for you.

I hope it helps you to know which type of lighting is best for you and to make the best decisions for your home.

It’ll walk you through all the things in your pantry, cabinet and shelves so that you can make a better choice when you go to a cabinet place, get a better design for your kitchen and make your kitchen a CUSTOM designed space for you!

Oh, and it'll work better and look nicer too! Check out my BLOG for more tips and tricks from the journey through home design and construction.

Best,
Liz

[ilikecontent]

I like the warm glow of the wafer light. And I like the can light. Limits on the can light. It is like a straight beam down. The effect is like going down a neighborhood street at night and you see the street light lighting one spot on one corner. I say use a combination. And as long as you are able to pop out the light yourself and not have to crawl into your attic then replacing them is very cost effective. The can light is more traditional. You can still get bulbs for them and change them out yourself. So it depends on your lighting needs. I do not mind the warm glow and fuller illumination the newer low profile and wafer lights have. They have so many options to fit your needs. Sometimes it is okay to move towards the future. I was told I should use the paper tape when doing my corners for drywall. Don't use the new mesh stuff. It won't hold up. Blah, blah, blah. Well I tried the paper and it was taking me longer to learn a technique to keep my seams smooth. So I switched to this newer tech. Mesh tape and it was so much easier to work with. My seams are smooth and 6 years later they still look great! And this is from a 60+ years old woman who learned to do drywalling, mudding, taping, texturing herself. So new is not always bad. 😉 Just different.

[ColoradoNewHomes]

Great video! I'm considering replacing around 20 cans in my 2007 built home. As a Realtor I see lots of poorly thought out surface mount (glaring) 5000k led lights that burn the retinas in my eyeballs. I've always hated the way they look, now I know why. People doing renno on the cheap will often use the flush mount even when they had the depth of an older can fixture to retro inside of. Your video is leading me to only shop for can LED reto kits that have at least some measure of recess designed in. (And no bluer then 3500K) Plus, having 10 ft ceilings on the main level will make the glare even worse if I don't put some thought into this! (Plus, I'd already considereed buying extras for inevitable failures, so I know I'm in good company with that thought) Thank you so much for all the points you raised.

[cynthiawhalen]

This was great timing for me to come across your video, I am building a home with 20’ ceilings and truely want to get this right on the lighting. Thanks for the info🇨🇦👍

[soundmapper]

Thanks. I am installing a ceder porch ceiling and plan on running 3 lights. I preinstalled the large recessed cans and after I got thinking, i am not looking forward to cutting the t&g boards for the lights. I am considering the ease of instling ultra thins as it would be way easier, but now you got me going back to the original idea. The other benefit to the traditional can is using smart bulbs tied into motion sensors.

[danp]

Thank you for making this video! As someone that works in the category, these wafer lights have been WAY over spec'd! I have been walking into $3M homes with these everywhere and they make everything look flat, dull, and create no visual interest where it should be. I will be sharing this vid with a couple of my dealers. Thx

[scottholley]

"It dims until it is no more. Kinda like old age." LOLOLO!!

[saltwaterpurl]

Truly recessed LED ceiling lights are starting to hit the market, and Halo is even making them for sloped ceilings (in white only so far). I don’t think the concern about swapping out the fixture is legitimate, because it is the same plan with LED bulbs. My plan is to buy a few extras. When one fails, I will swap out that entire room for my backstock and start shopping for the next ones. It’s a standard hole size and mounting plate, and I am using Halo which is a very stable brand that doesn’t change styles constantly.

[bebot]

I am so grateful for your information. I've been wanting to update my "boob" lights that came with my small home to recessed for years. But with little understanding of my own, I couldn't get past my confusion to make an educated choice to move forward. Had a friend swear up and down that her disk lights were the better alternative to recessed but, ugh, your video gave voice to what my gut said. I've always felt that my 1400 square foot 3 bed/3 bath (family of 5) home needs lighting upgrades but couldn't stomach the thought of putting (in my opinion) cheaper lights up. Thanks! Q: I'm looking into the brands you suggest (thanks!). What bulb would you put in a modern styled home/9 foot ceiling/open plan kitchen and living room? My cabinets are dark expresso. Lots of natural light. Thank you so much!

[laurenceturner]

Be great to see some examples of what you would recommend

[katdesignsstar]

Hi, can you please let me know what type will work best for a nail salon 700sq ft. I was thinking of the LED lights but now saw your video. I need help please

[deltaws]

What is "the glow" and why is it bad? I'm not sure I understand the cons other having to replace the fixture

[KameraShy]

LEDs never last as long as the manufacturers claim. I always have premature failures of the "bulbs" and integrated fixtures.

[stompyg]

Wafer lights were the first wave. Newer options include "regressed" and canless recessed lights, and may be exactly the look you want, no can required.

[malachi]

Is it just me, or does the quality of the wafer lights kinda suck. Sometimes it seems foggy in the lighted area, like the light quality is not that good. When I light up a regular lamp with a normal LED bulb its much more pleasant and can see more clearly. Maybe its the difuser on the lamp that filters it, but its much more softer.

[gtacleansupplymaintenance]

Great passion, need more of that from my sales team!....i am finishing my basement 30ft by 16, and 9ft ceiling, ... very clean HVAC bisects the entire 30ft length at the midpoint 8 ft. My question is about the soffit, should i make one or just reduce all of the ceiling height by 10"? Your thoughts on lighting, 3 separate areas; kitchen, family and study. I know you need more info...but i am hoping you could steer me.

[SillyPutty]

They have their place but I am not a big fan of them. If you ask me go cheap that is what you will get. My problem with them is that they glare and they have no depth or warmth. The other issue is that if you don't like the look 5 years from now you will be changing the entire fixture not just the trim.

[facundogoya]

Which lamp is the right one for recessed luminaires to illuminate hotels in the United States? Are the gu10 the most convenient?

[MrXVII]

You mentioned "if one dies and I have to replace it in a year or two years or whatever 50, 000 hours is" (4:34).

If a light is used 4 hours a day, every day, 50, 000 hours would last (50, 000 / 4) / 365 which is over 34 years.

You can get "regressed canless wafer" lights that offer some benefits of recessed cans.

[applesauceandhoney]

do you have a video about recessed spotlights vs cove lighting in 8 foot ceiling? I don't like modern trendy look (looks to much to me) but the lighting stores here are saying that strip lighting is the only way to light up a room properly?

[MasaMuneDenadoro]

Wafer light plus a baffle and gimbal? To get that recessed look? Liz found the juno contractor 4 inch, which is gold, but no gimbal. Anyone find a wafer plus baffle plus gimbal? Im limited as my space above ceiling is only 7.5 inches. Limits my options for "cans".