Old Cape with no ceiling lights, only switches with lamps. The walls surrounding the room are 1 exterior, 1 interior and 2 crawl closets. What would be a way to wire the lighting fixture at the peak of the ceiling to an existing switch by interior wall?
It can be done if there is a stable crawl space above ceiling.
If you have access in the crawl you can run wire up the rafter cavity to the hole you cut out to install your light. In a cape typically you rafters sit on a “knee wall”, which is the interior crawl wall. Depending on the lighting you want (surface mount, can lights…) you would make a hole in the ceiling where you want the light to suit the proper mounting box or can light (proper mounting will keep it from falling on your head, lol). Then feed a wire down your rafter cavity to the crawl. Mount and wire your light. Run the crawl wire to a switch and from the switch to a constant power source, (always remember to turn your breaker off and test first). If your careful and take your time you dont even have to do any patching. Enjoy your new light.
You can remove drywall, patch and paint after installation of cable if the electrician is unable to “fish” the electrical wire where desired or you can install a surface raceway similar to Wiremold from the switch to the fan location. This installation is not visually appealing, but saves labor, drywall repair and painting if unable to “fish” the wiring.
If you know your building structure , and key apparatus , meaning a 8ft drill - bit , you can go through the soffit outside of the house and fish a wire to the desigination point , there are several different ways of doing this without using wiremold .
difficult yes, but nothing impossible. most single story homes where the cathedrial cieling is also roof line trusses. typically framed with 2x6’s leaving only 4.25" for recessed lighting can. eliminating all possibilities of trim diameter greater than 4" and the added problem of fixture positioned very near roof heating almost gauranteed opening of thermal switch for safe operation of recessed fixture. therefore avoid recessed fixtures in these closed high temperture areas with no exception. best to get creative with trim carpender and surface-mounted scounce or rope lights on dimmers.