Lighting Electrical
Rewiring is one of the most damaging things done to old buildings, because cables are usually routed by the shortest path rather than the least harmful one. The firms in this category work the other way round: surface conduit, existing voids, lifted boards rather than chased plaster, and accessory positions agreed in advance. The category also covers period and reproduction light fittings, restoration of gasoliers and early electric fittings, and lighting design for panelled rooms, churches and interiors where fittings and their light both have to suit the space.
What this category covers
- Rewiring historic buildings with minimal damage to fabric
- Restoration of gasoliers and early electric light fittings
- Period and reproduction fittings, switches and accessories
- Discreet cable routing, conduit and accessory positioning
- Lighting schemes for churches, panelled rooms and interiors
Brilliant Lighting Ltd
Brilliant Lighting Ltd is an independent lighting design practice formed in 2004, ...
Bromleighs
Bromleighs makes and supplies handcrafted light switches and sockets in period styles ...
Broughtons of Leicester Ltd
Broughtons of Leicester is an independent retailer of period-style lighting, ironmongery and ...
Hector Finch Lighting
Hector Finch Lighting is a London designer and supplier of decorative light ...
Heritage Lighting Matters
Heritage Lighting Matters is a lighting design consultancy led by managing director ...
KG Electrical Contractors
KG Electrical Contractors is an NICEIC-registered electrical contractor based in Harpenden and ...
Leora Lighting
Leora Lighting is an online lighting supplier based in Harpenden, shipping across ...
Rewiring without wrecking the building
Agree the routes before the work starts. Ask for a drawing showing every cable run, socket, switch and light position, and check it against panelling, plaster, cornices and historic floorboards. Most avoidable damage is decided in the first day on site.
Prefer reversible and hidden over chased and buried. Surface-mounted conduit in service areas, existing voids, floor voids reached by lifting a small number of boards, and vertical drops behind skirtings all avoid cutting plaster and structural timber. Where chasing is unavoidable it should be shallow, recorded and kept away from beams and joists.
Get the accessory positions right. Modern accessibility conventions on socket and switch heights conflict with historic dado and skirting lines, and Part M does not apply to work in an existing dwelling in the way it does to new build. Choose positions that suit the room and record why.
Watch the fittings as well as the wiring. Original gasoliers, brackets and early electric fittings can usually be rewired and returned to use, and that is generally preferable to replacement. If new fittings are needed, scale and finish matter more than the reproduction style.
Questions to ask
Does rewiring a listed building need consent?
Usually yes. Chasing plaster, lifting historic floors, drilling structural timber and fixing accessories all alter listed fabric. Consent is normally granted where routes are shown to be minimally invasive, so agree the scheme before applying.
Can original light fittings be brought back into use?
Frequently. Gas fittings converted to electricity, early switch plates and brass or bronze fittings can be rewired to modern standards by a specialist, and an electrician can then certify the installation. Retaining them is preferable to replacement.
Where should sockets go in a panelled room?
Ideally not in the panelling. Floor boxes, positions in the skirting, and runs taken through existing voids to a small number of discreet points are the usual answers. The number of outlets can often be reduced by planning where furniture will sit.
All 10 businesses listed under Lighting Electrical
- Brilliant Lighting Ltd North Yorkshire
- Bromleighs Monmouthshire
- Broughtons of Leicester Ltd Leicestershire
- Forbes & Lomax Greater London
- Hector Finch Lighting Greater London
- Heritage Lighting Matters Kent
- Hogarth Lighting Cornwall
- KG Electrical Contractors Hertfordshire
- Leora Lighting Hertfordshire
- William Sugg & Co. Ltd West Sussex
Directory information is provided to help visitors identify potentially relevant specialists and suppliers. Inclusion does not constitute a recommendation, approval or guarantee by Tuscan Foundry Products. Please check current services, credentials, availability and suitability directly with each business.