Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Changing Recessed/Pot Lighting Fixture

Hi there.

I currently have some recessed lighting fixtures in my hallway which are old stainless steel looking. I wanted to replace them with some newer ones with decorative trim.

Can anyone provide me with some suggestions as to:

1) How to remove (simple as unscrewing and unhooking or are they mounted to a 2x4)?;
2) Can they just be swapped for others? If so, do I need to consider anything?
3) Can I insulate around 1 of them as it goes to an outside wall and I can feel cold air around that one; and
4) Any other info that would help!

Thanks!

Welcome to the forums! The trim rings simply come off and can be replaced with different colors if that is what you want. I wouldn't bother removing the can itself, as that is a real PITA. Look up into the fixture, power off and bulb removed to see how the ring comes off. Most likely they just pull directly down and you release two bail wires, which if common. Take the ring to the store and buy the replacement you like. Either that, or scarify the ones you have and paint them with a good metal primer and paint such as rustoleum .

You can only insulate around the housing if it is IC (insulation contact) rated, otherwise you need to leave a 3" gap around and above the housing.

It may be worth your effort to change at least that fixture to cut down on your heating and cooling bill.

New work housings typically have bars that extend out to the joists and are nailed in. Without access from above these can be a pain to remove, but it can be done.

Remodel or old work housing are much easier to remove as they were designed to be installed after the drywall was installed.

Thanks for the responses.

So when I look up into the housing, I see 4 screws that if I unscrew (with breaker off of course), I can pull the housing down and then look up there?

To one of the responses, the actual piece around the drywall is not on it's own, it is attached to the entire tubular housing doing into the pot light, so I can simply switch - make sense or no?

I agree in that I would like to insulate that one light fixture, so wanted to get thoughts on if that was possible.