Solution for can lights in cathedral ceiling
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3c20ca87428e97d3925f4e66fd9f2124?s=52&d=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.greenbuildingadvisor.com%2Fapp%2Favatars%2F200x200%2Fn.png&r=g)
Our Colorado home has a two story cathedral ceiling with several can lights. The house was built in 1987 when the building codes were not nearly as stringent as they are now. We had a blower test done and realize that we need to try to seal them. We don’t have an “attic side”, so cannot build an insulated box around them. The earlier discussions indicated that the baffles would help a little, but not make a significant difference. So…, I know that I wouldn’t install recessing lighting in new construction, but what can I do to improve my existing situation?
I found LED retrofit lights at Home Depot that have a thin foam gasket around the rim and appear to be designed to snug up in the can, but I don’t know how tight they will be when installed. I’d like to add a bead of caulk around the rim for a better seal but feel that may create an overheating problem.
Could the can be removed completely, filled in with insulation and converted to a pendant light or just sealed with a cap? (I also have numerous ceiling fans that light fixtures could be added to if we lost the recessed lighting completely.) What other solutions can you suggest other than rebuilding our ceiling?
Thank you.
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
![](https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/app/themes/greenbuildingadvisor/dist/img/modules/detail-library/thumb1.png)
![](https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/app/themes/greenbuildingadvisor/dist/img/modules/detail-library/thumb2.png)
Replies
If you are willing to remove the cans, rough in new surface-mounted lights using air-tight boxes, and repair the insulation and drywall, that's probably the best move.
I've been happy with the Cooper "All Pro" LED retrofits I've installed. They fit fairly tightly although I do think the gaskets could be a bit thicker and wider (and I may make some and swap them out). If you install these, you are going a long ways towards stopping the air leak. I think the remaining leakage is entirely inconsequential unless you're going for heroically low levels of air leakage.
Gaskets or no gaskets, LEDs or incandescent, you're better off without the cans. Replace them with some nice LED track fixtures surface mounted in their place. There's a lot of great product out there, intrinsically more efficient and better looking than any recessed fixture.
ROI=unknown
I vote with James: remove the recessed cans and replace them with track lighting, pendants, or surface-mounted fixtures. Add insulation, patch the drywall, and do a good job of air sealing around the electrical box.