Potlight bascis

Q: Are there any rules that require me to install potlights in the new home we’re building? I’m thinking in particular of a 24-foot x 34-foot great room with an overlooking balcony on the second floor. Can we go with table lamps or regular ceiling fixtures?

A: Potlights are more typically called ‘recessed lighting’ in the industry, and there are no rules that require you to install any at all unless you want to. That said, recessed lighting is a terrific feature when used in the right way. Just realize that there are technical requirements that must be met for proper installation. Perhaps the most important is the need to choose a sealed fixture if the area above the light isn't heated. These carry the designation ‘IC’. This sealed design prevents warm, moist indoor air from migrating up through the fixture and condensing during winter. The resulting frost and water build up can cause damage to the fixture and your home. Non-IC recessed fixtures are fine if the area above the light remains room temperature all year. Another issue is whether you'll go with low-voltage or regular 120-volt lamps. My personal favourite is a low-voltage MR16 fixture. This is a generic term for a type of hardware that's used industry-wide. There are many interchangeable filters that allow you to alter the beam shape, colour and diffusion. Interior designers love the MR16 for this very reason.