[Christien]

I've just installed 6 3" halogen potlights in our bedroom ceiling, above which is the attic. I'm a bit confused now as to how I need to properly insulate everything, to protect from heat loss and fire. We'll be blowing in new insulation into the attic as soon as I'm sure the lights are finished.

I bought metal boxes to house the light fixtures - same manufacturer, built for the lights. Each box is rectangular, probably about 6x12 inches, and maybe 6 inches tall, so about half a cubic foot. These were installed between joists with hanger bars, on top of the vapour barrier laid over the drywall ceiling. I then spray-foamed around the base of the metal boxes, and foamed in any gaps (unused knockout holes and around the wires entering the box). But I'm looking at them thinking the heat from the halogen lights could easily heat that box up pretty hot.

Am I being paranoid here? Will the heat dissipate fine in a metal box that size? Or should I box them out even further with plywood? I saw one video on youtube where they guy made boxes out of styrofoam and glued that together. Seems easier than plywood, if it's effective enough.