A surface mount light sits flat on the ceiling and protrudes away from the surface. They can also be referred to as ceiling mounts. These fixtures are typically installed in structural ceilings, as well as warehouses with exposed ceilings or dropdown ceilings.
Surface mounts differ from flush mounts in many ways. First is their installation methods. Surface mounts are installed externally while flush mounts are recessed into a cavity. Surface mounts have easy access which helps with simple modifications. Flush mounts differ from surface mounts because they require a wall opening which contributes to the addition of complex alterations.