Construction Planning

As design professionals can attest, successful lighting design involves many details that require attention during project planning and early construction.

All too often, many important lighting design decisions — involving wiring, electrical service, j-box locations, lighting control systems, mounting surfaces, installation and other considerations — are left unaddressed until rough electrical is complete and wall material is going up. This typically results in expensive change orders, lengthy construction delays and unforeseen compromises in the overall lighting plan.

The good news is that Hammerton has been designing and manufacturing custom lighting for over 2 decades. So we've seen it all, and we know the right questions to ask early on in the build process.

A few of the most frequently overlooked lighting considerations are outlined below. Contact your representative to learn more.

Are the breaker, wiring and control systems equipped to service all lighting requirements?
Large chandeliers often require dedicated electrical service from the breaker

Multi-functional fixtures that combine decorative and task lighting — e.g. over a dining table or kitchen island — typically require separate wiring for each circuit

Lamping must be compatible with the lighting control system
Have the weight and dimensions of large fixtures been addressed during the construction phase?
Heavy fixtures require blocking, typically installed during the framing process

For large chandeliers hanging high overhead, specifying a light lift will lower installation and maintenance costs and reduce the risk of damage

Doorways and halls must be large enough for oversized fixtures to fit through

Fixtures must not interfere with sprinkler head performance or HVAC ducting
Are J-boxes correctly installed in the proper locations?
A standard j-box wall height will not suffice for many sconce designs

Bathroom lighting often requires j-boxes in locations other than the vanity mirror
Will a fixture mount to its intended surface?
Fixtures designated to mount on stone or other uneven material may require a backplate or canopy template to create a flat mounting surface

Check the pitch of your ceiling, is it sloped or flat? The pitch determines what kind of mounting options will work best with the desired light.

Let’s bring your lighting vision to life.

Contact

Construction Planning

Think through all aspects of your lighting project up front and you'll avoid headaches, time delays and unforeseen costs later.

As design professionals can attest, successful lighting design involves many details that require attention during project planning and early construction.

Let’s bring your lighting vision to life.