How to Cut Holes in Sloped Ceilings for Recessed Lighting

Unlike traditional light fixtures, recessed lights lie flush with the ceiling or wall they are installed in. This is because the housing for the recessed light is inserted behind the ceiling material, rendering it invisible. The result is a light that lies flush with the ceiling. The angle of your ceiling should not prevent you from successfully installing a recessed lighting fixture. Special angled housing ensures that your recessed light will lie flat no matter how steep your ceiling slope.

Stud finder
Housing template
Pencil
Utility knife
Drywall saw

Instructions

- 1
  Move the stud finder across the ceiling until it beeps, noting the presence of a joist. Mark the location of the ceiling joists in the area where you plan to install the recessed light fixture with painter's tape.
- 2
  Select a location along the sloped ceiling for the recessed light. You can install the light fixture wherever you wish provided you do not try to install the light over an existing ceiling joist.
- 3
  Place the housing template against the ceiling. Trace around the lighting template with a pencil.
- 4
  Score the traced outline with a utility knife. Cut around the traced outline's edges with a drywall saw.
- 5
  Remove the cut-out section of ceiling tile or drywall. The hole left behind in your sloped ceiling will house your recessed lighting fixture.

How to Build a Header Around Basement Ducts

How to Redo a Basement Ceiling

Ceilings