Can you install a ordinary light fixture onto a recessed lighting fixture can?

I have house with recessed lighting installed and want to install a normal stand-alone light fixture where one of the recessed lights currently is. Is it possible to use an adaptor of some kind to use the recessed lighting fixture, which is already anchored and wired, and attached the external fixture to the recessed lighting fixture? To start from scratch I think I would have to cut up my ceiling to remove the recessed light fixture and re-anchor the new fixture which seems like a heck of a waist of time. Thanks! UPDATE- I found a company that makes an adaptor that lets you screw in an ordinary fixture into a recessed light housing. The only downside is the stupid little metal plate costs 40 bucks- oh well. http://www.thecanconverter.com/ Thanks for everyone's help. Tim

Public Comments

I've never heard of anything like you are wanting~but it might be out there somewhere:) I wired my recessed lights, and you are right, it would probably be tough to get up in there, put a box in, and rewire for a new fixture. How about a colored flood bulb;) ?? I AM going to watch this though and see if anybody has heard of anything that works~ Good Luck!
I would think that if you got the can out and was able to expose your wires you should be able to, remember weight though on your next fixture, again all depends on what you'd like to put up, fluorescent shouldn't be a problem cause its big enough to find your studs to anchor to and if you want to go where your can was make sure the weight isn't to heavy and the canopy on your next fixture is big enough to hide the old can opening, good luck