Downlights!

[Megaohm7]

I'm going to look at a job on the way home from site tomorrow where the client wants to replace his large downlights/spotlights to more up to date fittings. Am I right in thinking that you can get an adapter of sorts to put into the existing hole and then in the adapter cut the required size hole for the new fitting. Other option will be to reboard the ceiling!!! I'm sure there are other ways but any help would be very much appreciated. cheers!!! ; \

 

[NozSpark]

You mean you want to enlarge the hole?

 

[lineman]

Called "eyeball ceiling convertors" available from cef mate, come in White, brass an brushed chrome. Dead simple fix and can be configured for elv or gu10s. Godsend IMHO but on artex ceilings can let a bit of light through the edges.

 

[Megaohm7]

Called "eyeball ceiling convertors" available from cef mate, come in White, brass an brushed chrome. Dead simple fix and can be configured for elv or gu10s. Godsend IMHO but on artex ceilings can let a bit of light through the edges.

That's very handy to know and in fact my local CEF is a stones throw away from the job too. Many thanks !!

 

[NozSpark]

Yeh, but they look sheite

 

[Megaohm7]

You mean you want to enlarge the hole?

No mate need to make the hole smaller really. The downlighters are the eyeball type but the client wants a modern looking GU10 fitted.

 

[kerching]

Well if it was me I would 'throw stones' at CEF and carry on to Screwfix! About 4.85 ech + VAT..........just got some for a job next week............ :coat

 

[lineman]

No worse than r80/60 old skool downlights that they are designed to replace! Haha

 

[steptoe]

Ive used them a few times, if you get the white ones and caulk them in and the client gets the ceiling painted they dont look too bad,

as said, they look a helluva lot better than manky scabby blistered peeling fake brass R80s !

 

[Nick Hayes]

The way I normally do it is buy 2 hole cutters , one for the new hole and one for the existing hole, get a bit of plaster board and cut the holes for existing downlighting with the appropriate hole saw ,then get enough Baton to go a little bit over both sides of each hole cut it to size and screw in place. Next fit the plaster board holes you cut to the batons and replaster the patched holes, wait for the plaster to dry (it can just be 50% I.e touch dry ) then cut the new holes in place of the old ones

Hope this helps

 

[batty]

Give are old friends the plasterers a bit of work and get the ceiling re tacked on second thoughts use the adaptors.

 

[steptoe]

The way I normally do it is buy 2 hole cutters , one for the new hole and one for the existing hole, get a bit of plaster board and cut the holes for existing downlighting with the appropriate hole saw ,then get enough Baton to go a little bit over both sides of each hole cut it to size and screw in place. Next fit the plaster board holes you cut to the batons and replaster the patched holes, wait for the plaster to dry (it can just be 50% I.e touch dry ) then cut the new holes in place of the old ones Hope this helps

patch a plastered ceiling and it is always visible.

and always looks like a bad bodge! IMO.

better to make it an actual 'feature' rather then have something that looks like you drilled the wrong size of hole to start with.

 

[Nick Hayes]

Not if you feather fill the holes , I have had very good results this way , you just have to take your time over the plastering and fill afterwards (if you need it )

 

[Maplasterelec]

I'm a plasterer too and unless the ceiling is a good one you can sometimes see the patch, even with experience. I find that the wood you put in to screw the board to can get in the way of the spring on the down lights, especially if it's a tilt and has to be inserted a certain way. Maybe best to cut a 1 or 2 foot square and patch that with a new hole in.

More work and maybe a plasterer but if customer wants a good job then it maybe the best option.

Matt

 

[Cirrus]

Me and my partner do this all the time on artex stippled ceilings. Fill hole with plasterboard, skim, sand if required then scrunch up a plastic bag with newspaper inside and put caulk on ceiling and dab it. I defy anyone to spot where this has been done!