What is the best indoor lighting solution for a single story cathedral ceiling?
We were originally looking at recessed 4-in LEDs lighting across the cathedral ceiling (single story cottage in Quebec with insulated R60 roof), but now concerned that all the holes for the lights in the ceiling could lead to venting and loss of heat. Is this the case? Is there a way to mitigate venting and loss of heat through the ceiling? Is there otherwise a better alternative for lighting on cathedral ceiling in single story cottage to minimize heat loss?
To light a cathedral ceiling you’ve really got two options – put pot lights in the ceiling itself, or bounce light from below towards it. Pot lights will direct a more harsh light directly down, and it can be a little bright when you look up, bouncing light up will be softer, but both can be an appealing look.
If you are thinking about pot lights but concerned about cutting into air barriers and vapor barriers, that is quite insightful as not everyone realizes that can be a problem. There is a video on this page below about LED lights you should check, they are low profile and able to be installed without needing to be recessed into air /vapor barrier.
The best LED bulbs and DIY lighting fixture installation tips
What we did was install a double layer of strapping on the ceiling after the air barrier was there, this left us ample room for low profile electrical boxes. The double strapping also allows you to run wiring on the exterior of the air barrier as well.
I'm not sure type of LED you ahve in CA, but here in the US our LED light bulbs last 2 years max . . . LESS than incandencent or flourescent, and 10x more money. BUT they use less power . ..