How to Keep Insulation Off IC Lights

If your recessed lights are flickering or cycling off and on, chances are the insulation has come into contact with the exterior of the fixture in the attic. IC, insulated can lights, are designed to allow insulation to come into contact with the recessed light fixtures; however, you may still experience the same issues, depending on the age of the recessed light fixture and the amount of surrounding insulation. Secure the insulation away from the IC lights to avoid getting left in the dark.

Tape measure
3/4-inch plywood
Circular saw
Drill
4-inch wood screws
2-inch wood screws
1-inch single hole corner braces
1/2-inch wood screws

Instructions

- 1
  Access your attic and remove the insulation from around the recessed fixtures. Measure the distance between the ceiling joists on each side of the fixture. Measure the height of the joists and add about 6 inches to the height measurement.
- 2
  Transfer the measurements onto 3/4-inch plywood. Use a circular saw to cut out the squares of plywood to create two end panels.
- 3
  Position the plywood between the joists about 6 to 8 inches away from the recessed fixture. To attach the plywood between the joists, drive 4-inch wood screws through the ceiling joists and into the edges of the plywood.
- 4
  Measure the distance between the two pieces of plywood you installed between the joists. Transfer these measurements to the 3/4-inch plywood and cut the two side panels, making them 8 inches high.
- 5
  Position the side panels between the two pieces of previously-installed plywood. Make sure the top of the side panels is flush with the height of the end panels.
- 6
  Attach the side panels between the two pieces of plywood, driving 2-inch wood screws through the panels and into the joists. Doing this should leave you with an open-topped box around the recessed can.
- 7
  Install two 1-inch single-hole corner braces on the inside of each corner of the wood box. Evenly space the braces in the corners and attach them to the wood with 1/2-inch wood screws.

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