Collection: Recessed Housings

New Construction vs. Remodel

New construction housings mount to the joists with bar hangers before the drywall goes up. Remodel housings slip through a hole in a finished ceiling and clip into place from below. Choose by where your project stands, not by preference.

• 3" Max. Adjustability IC Airtight New Construction Housing by Elco Lighting: A 3" steel housing with an integrated collar that adjusts to ceilings from 5/8" to 1-1/2" thick, so it works with standard drywall and thicker ceiling builds alike. A 120V quick connect makes swapping the LED module simple. IC-rated, airtight, damp and wet listed, Title 24 compliant, and Energy Star certified, with a 5-year warranty. Module and trim sold separately. Mood: the reliable framing-stage workhorse.
• Entra CL 3-Inch Round Non-IC-Rated LED Downlight Remodel Recessed Housing by Visual Comfort Architectural: A remodel housing with an integrated 12W LED that installs through a 3.75" cutout in an existing ceiling. It delivers 1,100 lumens at 90 CRI in 2700K or 3000K, or choose warm dim (3000K to 1800K) for a candlelike glow when dimmed. Available flanged or flangeless, with reflector and flange finishes in White, Black, Champagne, and Satin Silver. Forward, reverse, and 0-10V dimming, wet listed, and airtight. Mood: a designer downlight, no demolition required.
• Ocularc 3.5 Round New Construction LED Recessed Housing by WAC Lighting: A new construction housing with an integrated 13.5W LED module producing 855 to 980 lumens at 90 CRI, from 2700K to 4000K. Adjustable bar hangers span 9.5" to 24.5" between joists, and it runs on 120V to 277V for residential or commercial projects. Dims smoothly to 1 percent on ELV or TRIAC, or to 5 percent on 0-10V. IC-rated, airtight, wet listed, and Title 24 compliant, with a 5-year warranty. Trims sold separately. Mood: commercial-grade performance for the home.

IC vs. Non-IC-Rated

IC stands for insulation contact. An IC-rated housing permits insulation contact when installed according to its listing and the manufacturer's instructions. A non-IC housing needs clearance around it, so it belongs in ceilings without insulation, like between floors or under a finished soffit.

• 4" New Construction IC Airtight Housing by Elco Lighting: A 4" IC airtight housing built to accept the LED insert module of your choice, with an 18-watt fixture maximum. Rated for direct contact with insulation, damp and wet listed, Title 24 compliant, and Energy Star certified. Module and trim sold separately. Mood: insulation-ready, budget-friendly.
• 2.5 Inch Low-Voltage Remodel Non-IC LED Recessed Housing by WAC Lighting: A compact low-voltage remodel housing for tight spaces, display niches, and anywhere a small aperture looks best. It installs through a 3" cutout and works with WAC's 2.5" HR-836 and HR-837 trims (sold separately). ELV dimmable to 10 percent, damp listed, non-IC, with a 5-year functional warranty. Mood: a small, precise point of light.
• Entra CL 3-Inch Square IC-Rated LED Recessed Housing by Visual Comfort Architectural: A square new construction housing with an integrated 12W LED producing 1,100 lumens at 90 CRI, in 2700K, 3000K, or 3500K. Choose an IC airtight version or a Chicago Plenum version, flanged or flangeless. Forward, reverse, and 0-10V dimming, wet listed, and Title 24 compliant, with a 5-year warranty. Mood: crisp square lines, insulation-safe.

Airtight (AT) vs. Standard

An airtight housing seals the ceiling so conditioned air doesn't escape into the attic or the floor above. It's an energy saver, and in many places, including California, it's a code requirement in insulated ceilings.

• 4" LED Fire-Rated New Construction IC Airtight Housing by Elco Lighting: An IC airtight housing UL listed for two-hour fire resistance, with integrated non-combustible insulation. It's also STC/IIC sound-rated, which reduces noise traveling between floors, making it a strong choice for condos, apartments, and multi-story homes. Damp and wet listed, Title 24 compliant. Trims and inserts sold separately. Mood: safety and quiet, built in.
• Aether 3.5 Inch Adjustable and Wall-Wash Remodel Recessed Housing by WAC Lighting: A compact steel remodel housing built for adjustable and wall-wash trims, so you can aim light at artwork, accent walls, or architectural details from an existing ceiling. It's a standard non-IC, non-airtight housing, the right choice for uninsulated ceilings such as between floors, where sealing isn't required. ELV dimmable to 5 percent or 0-10V dimmable, with a 5-year warranty. Compatible trims sold separately. Mood: light where you point it.
• Volta 2 Inch Round New Construction Recessed Housing by WAC Lighting: A 2" IC airtight housing in cold-rolled steel, available in 15W or 22W with a wide choice of drivers: ELV 0-10V, Lutron Hi-Lume, DMX-512A, or 2-channel 0-10V. An emergency backup battery option and a Chicago Plenum version make it ready for commercial specs. Adjustable bar hangers span 9.94" to 24.5". Mood: a tiny aperture with serious controls.

Sourcing Tips

The right housing depends on the ceiling it's going into. Start with these questions before you order.

Match the system: Housings, trims, and LED modules are usually designed to work together within a single brand and series. Check the compatible trim list on each housing before ordering, and buy the trim at the same time so the project doesn't stall at finishing.

Measure the ceiling: Confirm ceiling thickness, joist spacing, and the depth available above the ceiling. Remodel housings need room to clear joists, ducts, and pipes, and new construction housings need bar hangers long enough to span your joists.

Plan the dimming: Match the housing's driver to your dimmer. ELV, TRIAC, and 0-10V dimmers are not interchangeable, and a mismatch is the most common cause of flicker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a non-IC housing in an insulated ceiling?

Not safely unless insulation is kept clear of the housing according to the manufacturer's instructions. If insulation will touch the fixture, choose an IC-rated housing. IC rating addresses insulation contact, not every installation condition. Also check available depth, compatible trims and modules, airtightness, and any fire-rated ceiling requirements.

Do I need an airtight housing in California?

In most cases, yes. California's Title 24 energy code generally requires recessed fixtures in insulated ceilings to be both IC-rated and airtight. Check with your contractor or local building department for your project's specific requirements.

What is a Chicago Plenum rating?

Chicago's building code has stricter requirements for fixtures installed in plenum spaces, the air-handling areas above ceilings. A Chicago Plenum housing is built to meet those rules. Unless your project is in Chicago or specifies it, the standard version is usually the right choice.