askjake

Wire fishing

Jessica asks:

We are remodeling our living room. We have valuted ceilings, but no light fixtures. We are wanting to add fixtures. The problem we are having is how to install fixtures without having to tear down the sheetrock while still tying them into the switches that currently turn on an outlet.

Jake's answer:

Jessica,

Short of running an exposed wire mold or having access behind the drywall, I don't have an easy answer. Talented electricians can "fish" wire and minimize drywall damage. Watch out for the untalented ones, they can get a little hammer crazy.

Natural lighting under a porch or deck

Lea asks:

Jake,

I have a home with a full finished basement. My question is how would I put a front porch (I just have a stoop right now) with having basement windows. Do I use lattice to allow light? I have a family room below the living room and I have a bedroom below the upstairs bedroom. I only make $8.80 an hour so I will be doing what I can myself and would like any savings tips. Thank You

Jake's answer:

Lea,

When you build the front porch you will substantially reduce the amount of light you currently have streaming through those windows. Try placing some boards over the window wells to give you an idea of what it might be like.  

Also take into account if the windows serve any kind of emergency exit. A deck over the windows could really hinder egress, either in or out.  

I have seen glass blocks embedded in the deck flooring that is above the windows. Glass block is not that expensive. You will have to get a little creative on how to alter your floor framing to accept the glass block. Good luck!

Making room for lights

Question from Claire: 

We are remodeling our 70's style custom kitchen. I want to take out the upper cabinets. I know everyone thinks I am crazy but I haven't used my upper cabinets for months now testing my theory. Question that I have is we have a soffit above the upper cabinets, would you keep the soffit and put in can lights in the soffit or would you remove the soffit and put can lights or small pendent lights from the ceiling?

Jake's Answer:

Claire,

Without a doubt, I would remove the soffits and put in can lights over the counters.  Consider installing the pendants over the island or other focal point you might be creating in your new kitchen.

Removing soffits and maintaining their lights

Question from Kristina: 

We purchased a foreclosure and cannot afford all of the updates we would like to make. I decided I would like to attempt to remove the kitchen soffits myself. I understand there may be pipes and such hidden behind the soffits and I have to think about whether I am up to the challenge. Our soffit has can lighting in it...how would we and what would we switch the lighting to in order to maintain the light?

Jake's Answer: 

Kristina,

You are wise to maintain the lighting.  The can lights will have to be moved up into the ceiling.  You may have to slightly relocate some lights due the presence of the ceiling joists.  This shouldn’t be a big deal. Since we rarely install soffits, we typically set the cans in the ceilings, approximately 24” off the wall.

Under-cabinet lighting and staining

Question from Betty: I have kitchen cabinets stained cherrywood. I want to have under cabinet lighting, but the underside of the cabinets are not stained. I believe that they must be stained before I have lights installed - it does drive me nuts that the developer did not have them stained. Question - how can I figure out what color stain would be best? I was almost thinking something lighter than the cherry wood stain because then the lights under the cabinet would reflect off the lighter stain. HELP ... I don't have a clue what to do and yes when sitting in my living or at the table you can see the unfinished underside of the cabinets. Small galley condo kitchen. Black granite countertops with black appliances - walls slate green, I do love the color scheme - not so much all the black. Thank you.

Jake's Answer: Stain the bottom side of the cabinets the same color as the cabinet doors.  I would not introduce another color scheme.  The mounted lights will shine down so you won’t experience any light reflection.