As part of a recent full rewire in Esher, we needed to find a practical lighting solution for a utility room with a low concrete ceiling.
The utility area had been added as a later extension to the property, and its construction was different from the main house. With limited ceiling height available, the homeowners understandably did not want conventional surface-mounted light fittings taking up valuable headroom.
As their local electrician in Esher, we discussed several lighting options before deciding that a plaster-in LED profile lighting system would provide the cleanest and most practical result.
Creating LED Lighting Without Losing Ceiling Height
The existing concrete ceiling was battened out by approximately 10mm, giving us a small space in which to install the necessary electrical cabling. The cables were securely clipped to the concrete structure before the ceiling was boarded.
We then installed a plaster-in LED profile designed to become part of the finished ceiling rather than sitting below it like a traditional light fitting.
Once the ceiling was boarded and plastered, the edges of the LED profile became concealed within the finished surface. This created a neat recessed line of light while making the most of the limited ceiling height.
Warm White 24V COB LED Lighting
To complete the installation, we fitted 24-volt COB LED tape within the plaster-in profile.
COB LED tape provides a much more continuous line of light than traditional LED strips where individual LED points can often be visible. For this utility room, we selected a warm white finish together with a smoked diffuser.
The result is a modern, discreet lighting feature that provides the utility room with useful illumination without a pendant, spotlight or surface-mounted fitting projecting down from the low ceiling.
Making Lighting Part of the Rewire
One of the advantages of planning LED lighting during a house rewire is that the wiring and lighting design can be considered before walls and ceilings are finished.
Rather than simply replacing the lighting that was already there, we were able to look at how the homeowners intended to use the finished utility room and design an installation around the building itself.
This particular project is a good example of how a relatively simple lighting detail can solve a genuine problem. The low concrete ceiling presented a restriction, but careful planning allowed us to provide the required lighting while retaining as much headroom as possible.
Precision Electrical Services carries out domestic rewires, LED lighting installations and electrical work in Esher, as well as Walton-on-Thames, Hersham, Weybridge, Cobham and surrounding Surrey areas.
If you're planning a rewire in Esher or considering new LED lighting as part of a renovation or extension, good electrical planning at the early stages can make a significant difference to the finished room.
