downlights ...can of worms?

[jungle_jim01]

I could well be opening a can of worms here! But i've got three downstairs rooms that open up into each other with double doors. I'm trying to create the same effect in each room. 2 rooms have plasterboard ceilings and downlights but the third is a lath and plaster ceiling...has anyone got experience with installing downlights into lath and plaster? Is it even do-able? Thanks in advance

 

[citizensmith]

I put two in our bedroom ceiling when i had the floor above up and had the chance.

You have to be very careful cutting out the holes - i think i used a hole saw on a drill.

I was worried about heat from bulbs and tinder dry lath so i nipped off a few inches of lath all round with pliers/nips to make a zone around the bulbholder that was wood free.

The units took GU10 bulbs which get very hot. I went to a electical wholesalers and looked into LEDs, but at the time they were expensive and feeble. In the end i bought special "cool" GU10 bulbs that are supposed to not get so hot above the bulb in the downlighter unit.

That was 4 years ago - they still work fine, never had to change one, and no fires.