Recessed lighting is a popular choice for its sleek, modern appearance and versatility. When it comes to recessed lighting, you’ll often hear two terms thrown around: “can” and “canless.” But what does that all mean?
Can (Traditional) Recessed Lighting
Canned recessed lighting, also known as traditional recessed lighting, consists of a metal cylindrical housing that is installed into the ceiling. A trim is then installed followed by the bulb. Because installing can recessed lighting requires complete access to the ceiling, they are much easier to install while building a home before the drywall has been placed. While trim styles have evolved over the years, canned fixtures don’t offer the same design flexibility as canless options.
Canless Recessed Lighting
Canless recessed lighting is a more recent innovation designed to simplify the installation process and offers a sleeker look. As the name suggests, these fixtures lack the traditional metal housing seen in canned lighting. Instead, they are self-contained units that integrate the housing, trim, and light source into a single fixture which is mounted directly into the ceiling. Because they use LED, they are energy efficient and don’t require changing any lightbulbs – making them an especially a great choice for very tall ceilings. They come in a variety of trims and styles. For the look closest to traditional recessed lighting, you’ll want to go with a baffle style trim over a flat trim. Most canless recessed lights on the market allow you to change the color temperature from a range warm to cool tones with the flip of a switch.
Whichever option you choose, well-planned recessed lighting can enhance the beauty and functionality of your space, making it a bright and welcoming environment.