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Lighting Basement Stairway
Last Post 24 Jul 2010 05:59 AM by cmkavala. 7 Replies.
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j3l2404User is Offline
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30 Jun 2009 01:00 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?
ld_n_TexUser is Offline
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30 Jun 2009 01:39 AM
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.
BrockUser is Offline
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02 Jul 2009 03:29 PM
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.
Green Bay, WI. - 4 ton horizontal, 16k gallon indoor pool, 1.8kw solar PV setup, 3400 sq ft
Bill55AZUser is Offline
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09 Aug 2009 11:35 AM
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...
arkie6User is Offline
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09 Aug 2009 12:27 PM
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.
BrockUser is Offline
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12 Aug 2009 11:21 AM
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.
Green Bay, WI. - 4 ton horizontal, 16k gallon indoor pool, 1.8kw solar PV setup, 3400 sq ft
arisyap@gmail.comUser is Offline
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24 Jul 2010 03:50 AM
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?
cmkavalaUser is Offline
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24 Jul 2010 05:59 AM
flush riser lights work well and can be mounted in stair risers or walls

http://www.decklightingstore.com/ca...961017.htm
Chris Kavala
info@southernsips dot com
1-877-321-SIPS
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