Recessed light LED retrofits

What a retrofit is

An LED retrofit trim replaces the bulb and the trim of an existing recessed can. It screws into the existing bulb socket with an adapter or connects to a quick connector, and it is held in the housing by springs or torsion clips. The housing, wiring and ceiling opening stay the same. The result is a flatter, cleaner look and light that does not get hot the way old flood bulbs did.

Matching size and housing

Retrofits come in sizes that match common can diameters, usually measured across the inside opening. Some housings are rated for contact with insulation and others are not; the label inside the can tells us. Old cans with no label, damaged sockets or scorched wiring are not retrofit candidates; we point them out before starting.

Color and dimming

Choose one color temperature for the whole room so lights match. Many retrofits have a switch on the driver to select color. If the room has a dimmer, it should be rated for LED and for the total number of lights, or the lights may flicker at low settings. We test the dimming range before we leave.

Signs your cans need attention

• Bulbs that burn out quickly or flicker.
• Lights that shut off and come back on, a sign the thermal protector is tripping.
• Discolored trim rings or ceiling paint around the can.
• Gaps that let attic air or dust into the room.

Scope

See the full list of electrical work we take on.

Adding new recessed lights where none exist means new holes, housings and wiring. That is outside our scope.

Retrofits in bathrooms and showers

Recessed lights over showers need trims rated for wet locations. Many LED retrofit trims carry that rating. We check the label and the housing before installing over a tub or shower.

Retrofits and attic air

Old cans often leak air between the attic and the room. Many LED retrofit trims have a gasket that seals against the ceiling, cutting drafts and dust. That can help comfort in both summer and winter.

Removing old trims

Old trims are held by springs or clips and come down with a gentle pull. Bulbs stuck in sockets can be removed with a suction tool. Once the old trim is out, we look at the socket and housing condition.

Gimbal and adjustable trims

Gimbal trims swivel to aim light at art or a wall. They fit standard cans and are a good choice in living rooms.

Ceiling repairs

If the ceiling around a can is cracked or stained, we patch before installing the new trim.

What to send

A photo of the can with the bulb out, showing the inside label, and the switch or dimmer.

Kitchens with old cans

Kitchens from the 1980s and 1990s often have several old cans with yellowed trims and mixed bulbs. Retrofitting all of them at once gives even light and one color temperature across the room. Pair with under-cabinet lights for counter work. If some cans are in poor shape, we point those out before we retrofit the rest.

More questions

Do retrofits fit sloped ceilings? Some are made for slopes; standard ones may sit crooked.

What if my can is very shallow? Slim retrofits fit shallow cans.

Trim styles

Baffle trims reduce glare with grooved interiors. Smooth reflector trims spread light wider. Square trims suit modern rooms.

Slim retrofit trims sit almost flush with the ceiling. Match trims within a room for a clean look.

Energy and heat

LEDs produce light with less heat than incandescent flood bulbs. That helps keep rooms cooler in summer and reduces heat around the can.

Hallways and bedrooms

Hallway cans can be retrofitted with lower-output trims to reduce glare at night. Bedrooms benefit from warm color temperatures and dimmers.

Before you buy retrofits

Count the cans in each room, measure one opening across the inside, and check whether the sockets are standard screw bases. Look at the label inside one can for its rating. Pick one color temperature for the whole room, and decide if you want dimming.

Text us a photo of the open can and we can confirm what fits before you order. Buying one or two extra trims of the same model helps if one fails later, since models change and matching trims can be hard to find years from now.

Matching color across a room

Mixing color temperatures in one ceiling looks patchy. We use the same CCT for every can in a room, and many retrofit kits have a small switch on the driver so you can pick 2700K, 3000K or 4000K right there.

Trim size

Retrofit trims are sold to fit common can sizes, such as 4, 5 and 6 inches. We measure the can opening first so the trim covers old paint lines.

Photo checklist