Introduction

LED canopy lights are usually installed outdoors on overhangs or under the ceiling. Of course, some canopy lights are installed indoors, similar to panel light or downlight. Canopy fixtures illuminate the area below them, and they can be fitted with clear lenses to focus the light or frosted lenses to diffuse the light, reducing glare and illuminating larger areas. They are durable and have a high degree of dust, water or explosion protection (gas stations, oil refineries, etc.).

Canopy lights can be found in many applications. They can be installed at gas stations, workshop, bus stations, auto shops and other places that generally require stronger light to illuminate where it is needed. Smaller canopy lights can be used in homes, including porches, decks, and garages. These places need relatively less light, and the corresponding wattage will be lower. When come to the installation ways of canopy light, do you have any idea about recessed surface suspended or bracket mounting? Normally, for locations with low ceilings or insufficient height to hang lighting, recessed mounting works nicely. Surface mounting, on the other hand, can be used for all situations, including new lighting installation and retrofit where we just need a flat surface to attach the fittings. For other installation ways, please follow this article which will identify each mounting way, their difference and price.

Different installation way of canopy lights

Canopy lights come in a variety of mounting options to mount lighting fixtures to ceilings (drop ceilings), walls or cantilever beams. Recessed installation, surface installation, hanging installation and bracket installation are the four most commonly used installation methods for industrial lighting fixtures. For some fixtures, the above installation methods can be used. For example, ZGSM’s Primo LED canopy light supports the above four installation methods at the same time. Customers may be confused about which mounting method is more suitable for their application, so this article will introduce flush mount, surface mount, hanging mount, bracket mount and their differences. Understanding the four common installation methods helps to choose the correct installation method, which not only facilitates the early installation and ensures the high performance of the lamps after installation, but also facilitates the later maintenance.

What is recessed mounting?

Recessed mounting means that install LED luminaires into precise holes pre-drilled in the ceiling. Light fixtures emit downward light from holes in the ceiling. The opening of the LED canopy light should be prepared before installation, and the size of the opening should be adapted to the size of the lamp. With the help of recessed mounting, the LED canopy light is almost hidden and flush with the ceiling. The LED canopy light in this type of installation looks compact and stylish overall. Therefore, recess-mounted LED lighting fixtures can be well adapted to various applications, such as gas stations, hotel entrance porches and other commercial areas. Recessed mounting is suitable for places with low ceilings or where there is not enough height to hang fixtures. Before we mentioned that the embedded installation needs to open holes in the ceiling in advance, so its construction difficulty and cost will be relatively higher than other installation methods, especially for replacing the old lamps on the existing ceiling, because normally it’s necessary for us to we to re-open the mounting holes according to the size of the lamp. But, ZGSM provides customization services, which can customize the frame size of canopy light to a suitable size for direct installation into existing ceiling holes, contact us for more details.

What is surface mounting?

Surface mount is to mount the LED canopy light on a flat surface and make it protrude from the surface. Surface mount is the easiest and low cost way to install LED canopy light. There is no need to open the ceiling for surface installation, and the LED canopy light is directly exposed in the space, so the wiring is relatively convenient. Surface mount includes installing light fixtures to traditional ceilings, walls, pergola, etc. Surface mounting that attach LED canopy light to the ceiling are often called ceiling mounts and are widely used in industrial environments. Because in this case, it is generally impossible or difficult for us to open holes for such ceilings (such as traditional cement ceilings, coffered ceiling, beam ceiling), so surface mounting is to install lamps in areas between such ceilings Ideal.

What is suspended mounting

Suspended mounting refers to hanging the LED canopy light on the ceiling or other building structures through ropes, chains, belts, lines, etc. Suspended installations can play a decorative role and provide enough lighting due to their long necklaces similar to chandelier light. LED canopy light as a commercial lighting fixture is heavier than ordinary LED home lighting, so the material used to hang the canopy light should be durable and long-lasting. In addition, ropes, wires or other hanging tools should not be rigid because they may oscillate due to vibration and affect the firmness of the installation. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the hanging tool is firmly installed on the ceiling or other building structures, and the canopy light should also be tightly connected to the chain or other hanging tools to prevent falling. Since suspended mounts hang the LED canopy light from the ceiling or other building structures, making the luminaire closer to the ground, this type of luminaire is an excellent choice for tall spaces (such as hotel lobbies, and warehouse shelves).

What is bracket mounting?

Bracket mounting refers to using this adjustable bracket (usually U-shaped) to install the LED canopy light on the wall or ceiling. Sturdy aluminum or stainless steel brackets are necessary to hold these fixtures. This type of installation is more common on structural ceilings, walls, or traditional ceilings. The U-shaped bracket can be directly mounted on the wall or ceiling, or the lamp can be mounted on the pendant stem above the ceiling. This type of installation is a bit like surface mounting, but with the U bracket it is relatively more flexible. Not only is it suitable for many application scenarios, but also the adjustability of the bracket enables the lamp to illuminate more area just as the floodlight did. This type of installation is more common in warehouses, workshops and commercial areas with industrial decoration.

Comparison between different installation way

Construction difficulty

Construction difficulty involves the cost of lighting projects, which is a priority factor. Because this is directly related to the profit of the company and the choice of the way the company climbs. Generally speaking, the recessed mounting is the most complicated construction. Because LED canopy light requires advanced and precise holed. Since it needs to cut the ceiling, the construction difficulty and cost are high. While for surface mounting, suspended mounting and bracket mounting, it’s not required. We think the latter three are relatively easy for professional lighting engineers. But for the latter three which are less difficult to construct, it may not meet the requirements or regulations of a specific application. For example, recessed mounting rather than surface mounting is often used to install and secure gas station lighting fixtures. The main reason is that the recessed installation does not expose the lamps which is safer for the gas station. When it comes to safety, we believe that ATEX certification (explosion-proof) is a must-have attribute for gas station lighting.

Different applications

Almost all installation methods can be applied to lighting projects before or during construction. Recessed mounting is suitable for places with low ceilings or where there is not enough height to hang fixtures. In contrast, surface mounts and bracket mounts are suitable for all applications including lighting construction and retrofits. Suspended mounting hang the light fixture from ceilings or other building structures, ideal for tall and large spaces. However, lighting retrofits or replacements places have stricter requirements on the installation method. If the existing lamps are recessed, we’d better choose the recessed lamps, and if the existing lamps are pendant, we’d better choose the installation method with suspended installation way. Of course, if you want to make changes, we can also give reasonable suggestions according to your application site and ceiling. In addition, since the recessed installation requires precise holes, we need to pay extra attention to the size of the lamps when selecting lamps to facilitate the final installation.

Aesthetic effect

Lamps not only provide lighting, but also decorate the space. Different installation methods bring different aesthetic effects. Recessed installation thanks to the LED canopy light is almost hidden and flush with the ceiling, which makes the space look clean and compact. Surface mounting, suspension mounting and bracket mounting expose the fixture directly to the space, making the fixture more attractive. These lamps can be used as decorations in the space. But people’s perceptions of aesthetic effects vary. Some people think recessed lights are contracted and sturdy. Others think surface mounted and suspended lights are chaotic and disorderly. Therefore, there is no conclusion on which installation method is more aesthetic. In the end, we think it depends on the lighting appearance you want and the lighting requirements of the space.

Here we summarized the difference as in below table.

Installation way	Recessed	Surface	Suspended	Bracket
Installation difficulty	Relative easy for new installation	Easy	Relative easy	Easy
Suitable application	Gas station, porch, venue, mall, exhibition center	Porch, Aisle	Hotel lobby, Warehouse with shelves, supermarket	Warehouse, workshop, sports center
Aesthetic	Excellent	Not very well	Nice	Nice for industrial

Installation guide for different canopy light installation ways

According to above types of canopy lights, we can know, generally, the canopy lights can do recessed installation by suitable frames, surface mounted or bracket installation by brackets, or do suspension installation by ropes, so the details as follows:

Recessed installation

1. Measure the thickness of the mounting board. Adjust the distance from the bottom of the angle brackets (Parts A) to the bottom surface of luminaire till it matches the thickness.
2. Fixate the angle brackets to the luminaire with four M10 x 20 screws.
3. Fixate the frame fixing plate onto the luminaire body with 4 sets M4 screws include each a piece of M4X10 screw, flat washer and spring washer.
4. Connect the wires to AC input and tilt the luminaire to have it go across the mounting hole, and then put it on the board at side of the hole.
5. Move the luminaire to the right place on the hole. Fixate the frame (Part B) to the luminaire with four M4 x 6 screws.

Surface installation

1. Unscrew the M5 screws on both sides of luminaire, take off the part C.
2. Thread the AC input cable through a hole on fixing board (Part C). Mount the fixing board onto the ceiling with M6 screws. Connect wires to AC input.
3. Hang the luminaire onto the fixing board with self-clinching studs on luminaire (Part D) going  through the slots on fixing board.
4. Fixate the luminaire and fixing board with four M6 screws.

Suspended installation

1. Fix the hook where the luminaire needs to be installed in advance. Noted that the hook should be used in conjunction with the ring, and the load capacity must exceed 30Kg when installing the hook. The expansion bolt must be able to bear four times the weight of the lamp.
2. Install the suspended rope into the body of the LED light. Make sure that the connection between the rope and the lamp body is strong enough.
3. Clip the ring on the luminaire into the set hook, and hang the lamp through the ring.
4. Connect the power cord from the scene to the power cord of the luminaire, connect it according to the wiring principle of the luminaire, and deal with waterproof and insulating things. Turn on the lights to see if they can work normally. After confirming the light is on, the installation is completed.

Bracket installation

1. Use the M10 expansion screw to fix the luminaire onto the ceiling/wall.
2. Connect the wires to AC input.
3. Hang the luminaire onto the pendant stem, use the lock nut to fix the luminaire. 
4. Connect the wires to AC input.

Additional considerations for installation

• Before installation, you must check the integrity of the LED canopy light and whether the accessories are complete.
• Installation must require the installer to have a professional electrician certificate.
• Make sure all the connection is correct. Earth wire to yellow-green lead, neutral wire to blue lead, live wire to brown lead.
• If the fixture with built-in 3 in 1 dimming function, please connect INPUT POSITIVE(+) signal conductor to DIM+ (BLUE WIRE), INPUT NEGATIVE(-) signal conductor to DIM-(WHITE WIRE) of LED driver.
• If necessary, use wire clips to hold the wires in place with the light to ensure a secure fit.
• Make sure the light’s power cord is of sufficient length to not be affected by pulling or tangential forces.
• Ensure the distance between the product and combustibles.

How much does the LED canopy light cost to install?

Installation costs mainly include labor costs and wire accessories costs, so the costs will vary according to the specific conditions of different countries and regions. In some countries, if there are no specific requirements for installers, generally individuals can complete the installation cost, and the installation cost at this time will be very low. However, European and American countries have relatively high requirements for installation, and the corresponding cost is relatively high. In the table below we have listed the prices of the lamps.

Item	100W	150W	100W with motion sensor	150W with motion sensor
Recessed mounting canopy light	$69	$74	$92	$97
Surface mounting canopy ligh	$62	$67	$85	$90
Bracket mounting canopy ligh	$60	$65	$83	$88
Suspended mounting canopy ligh	Customized, so your inquiry is welcome

Summary

Through this article, we hope you have gained some insight into the different ways to install canopy light. If you currently have a project that needs lighting, maybe you already have your answer and now you need to act to choose the suitable canopy lamps. Of course, if you are still hesitating, you can also contact us, whether it is for gas station, porch, aisle, venue, mall, exhibition center warehouse, workshop, sports center, hotel lobby, warehouse with shelves, or supermarket, we can provide the corresponding lighting solution, so contact us now.

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