j3l2404
New Member
Posts:7
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| 30 Jun 2009 01:00 AM |
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I am building a new home and we have run into a small lighting "issue". Our builder is telling us that a light at the top and bottom of the basement staircase will not be sufficient and will leave the center of the staircase fairly dark. Our builder is suggesting a wall sconce or two (he will not make a penny off of this as we would buy the fixtures and the electrician will install them). We hate wall sconces and are looking for a better option.
The rest of the house is full of LED can lights or fixtures with CFLs. Are there good energy-efficient options that do not involve a wall sconce? |
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ld_n_Tex
New Member
Posts:2
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| 30 Jun 2009 01:39 AM |
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Step Lighting acgelectronics and many others make products for this purpose. They will illuminate the steps much like walking into a movie theater after the first 25 minures of previews have run, just in time to safely catch the movie. Its an option if you do not want to put a can in the ceiling or sconce on the wall. |
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Brock
Advanced Member
Posts:599
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| 02 Jul 2009 03:29 PM |
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I would also recommend tread or wall lighting. The ones in my brother’s house came with a regular base 40w appliance lamp. I swapped them out for 7 W CF's, works great. They had three on the wall evenly spaced out rather than in the tread, which lit up the stairs more evenly.
Honestly I doubt you will need it unless the top fixture is somehow blocking the light shining down as in an open top fixture with decoration on the bottom. |
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| Green Bay, WI. - 4 ton horizontal goethermal, 16k gallon indoor pool, 3kw solar PV setup, 2 ton air to air HP, 3400 sq ft |
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Bill55AZ
New Member
Posts:10
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| 09 Aug 2009 11:35 AM |
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Wall sconces in a hall or stair way get easily damaged when moving furnishings in or out, flush lighting is preferred....been there, repaired that... |
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arkie6
Veteran Member
Posts:1453
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| 09 Aug 2009 12:27 PM |
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Posted By j3l2404 on 06/30/2009 1:00 AM
I am building a new home and we have run into a small lighting "issue". Our builder is telling us that a light at the top and bottom of the basement staircase will not be sufficient and will leave the center of the staircase fairly dark. Our builder is suggesting a wall sconce or two (he will not make a penny off of this as we would buy the fixtures and the electrician will install them). We hate wall sconces and are looking for a better option.
The rest of the house is full of LED can lights or fixtures with CFLs. Are there good energy-efficient options that do not involve a wall sconce? Why not just install another can light with CFL or LED in the middle of the staircase ceiling? If the drywall is already up, you can use a retrofit recessed can light with IC (insulation contact) rating.
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Brock
Advanced Member
Posts:599
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| 12 Aug 2009 11:21 AM |
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Bill I agree. I should have clarified I was referring to flush wall lighting in the stairwell. The other advantage is you can usually get at one side or the other of a basement stair wall. |
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| Green Bay, WI. - 4 ton horizontal goethermal, 16k gallon indoor pool, 3kw solar PV setup, 2 ton air to air HP, 3400 sq ft |
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[email protected]
New Member
Posts:5
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| 24 Jul 2010 03:50 AM |
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How about recessed can lights? Flood lights can put out a wide light pattern that covers a larger area. By the way, what's into wall sconce that you don't like? Any bad experience on it?
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cmkavala
Veteran Member
Posts:4327
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greencleaning
New Member
Posts:50
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| 09 Dec 2010 11:05 PM |
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I believe they provide minimal illumination. Enough to adequately see the steps, but not enough for say, oral surgery. I liken them to a handful of strategically placed night lights. Anyone decending a set a stairs should be head down and focused on the steps themselves. For this task, these lights are adequate. However, if you're looking for enough illumination to say, highlight some wall decorations, then re-think this idea. |
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ICFHybrid
Veteran Member
Posts:3039
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| 27 Dec 2010 03:02 PM |
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I'm surprised no one mentioned LED rope or strip lighting. They are ideal for the length of stairways, draw very little current and they put the light right down near the surface where it is needed.
And they look "cool". |
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cmkavala
Veteran Member
Posts:4327
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| 27 Dec 2010 04:07 PM |
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I have also used rope LEDs imbedded just under my fireplace mantle, it highlights it nicely |
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| Chris Kavala<br>[email protected]<br>1-877-321-SIPS<br /> |
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ICFHybrid
Veteran Member
Posts:3039
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| 27 Dec 2010 06:22 PM |
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Nice.
How did you stick it up there and did you inset or hide it behind something so the light would be directed only downwards? |
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cmkavala
Veteran Member
Posts:4327
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| 27 Dec 2010 07:48 PM |
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Posted By ICFHybrid on 27 Dec 2010 06:22 PM
Nice.
How did you stick it up there and did you inset or hide it behind something so the light would be directed only downwards? behind skirt 12" out from wall  |
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| Chris Kavala<br>[email protected]<br>1-877-321-SIPS<br /> |
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Bruce Frey
Basic Member
Posts:429
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| 29 Dec 2010 04:38 PM |
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Posted By cmkavala on 27 Dec 2010 07:48 PM
behind skirt 12" out from wall It looks to be cold enough in your part of the world that you can actually justify a fire in the fireplace! Enjoy! I have been guilty in the past of running the AC and the fireplace at the same time in Houston. Bruce |
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cmkavala
Veteran Member
Posts:4327
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| 29 Dec 2010 07:15 PM |
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Bruce;
Yes definitely cold enough here for the fireplace, I confess I have also had the FP going in August, its real hard to get a good draft though in the hot humid air outside |
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| Chris Kavala<br>[email protected]<br>1-877-321-SIPS<br /> |
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