Sunday, January 29, 2006
Choosing an Undercabinet Lighting Fixture
Avoid shadows:
Undercabinet light fixtures provide light exactly where it is needed avoiding shadows that may be a problem with other types of lighting.
Types of Undercabinet Lighting:
A wide variety of lamp types are available in undercabinet lighting systems including fluorescent, xenon, halogen, LED or traditional incandescent light sources.
LED Lighting:
LED is also becoming popular because of its high energy efficiency. However, the color rendition of LEDs is generally poor.
Fluorescent Lighting:
Fluorescent fixtures are also energy efficient and operate with the coolest temperature. However most fluorescent fixtures will not work with conventional dimmers.
Halogen Lighting:
Halogen type fixtures emit a very pleasing white light that makes colors vibrant. Although halogen bulbs have a longer lamp life than standard incandescent bulbs, they tend to run rather hot and should not be used when items within 6-10" are affected by heat.
Xenon Lighting:
Xenon fixtures are similar to halogen although xenon bulbs emit less heat and are a little less energy efficient.
Continuity of Light:
An important factor to consider in the selection of undercabinet lighting is the continuity of light. The newest undercabinet systems offer interconnectable fixtures for continuous illumination without “hot” and/or “dead spots”.
Puck Lights:
Where it is desirable to illuminate a single item such as a vase or piece of sculpture for instance, low voltage halogen, xenon “puck” lights with a single bulb are available. “Puck” lights (also known as button lights) are generally 2-1/2” to 3-1/2” in diameter by about 3/4” deep. Because they are usually low-voltage, they require purchase and installation of a separate transformer.
Undercabinet light fixtures provide light exactly where it is needed avoiding shadows that may be a problem with other types of lighting.
Types of Undercabinet Lighting:
A wide variety of lamp types are available in undercabinet lighting systems including fluorescent, xenon, halogen, LED or traditional incandescent light sources.
LED Lighting:
LED is also becoming popular because of its high energy efficiency. However, the color rendition of LEDs is generally poor.
Fluorescent Lighting:
Fluorescent fixtures are also energy efficient and operate with the coolest temperature. However most fluorescent fixtures will not work with conventional dimmers.
Halogen Lighting:
Halogen type fixtures emit a very pleasing white light that makes colors vibrant. Although halogen bulbs have a longer lamp life than standard incandescent bulbs, they tend to run rather hot and should not be used when items within 6-10" are affected by heat.
Xenon Lighting:
Xenon fixtures are similar to halogen although xenon bulbs emit less heat and are a little less energy efficient.
Continuity of Light:
An important factor to consider in the selection of undercabinet lighting is the continuity of light. The newest undercabinet systems offer interconnectable fixtures for continuous illumination without “hot” and/or “dead spots”.
Puck Lights:
Where it is desirable to illuminate a single item such as a vase or piece of sculpture for instance, low voltage halogen, xenon “puck” lights with a single bulb are available. “Puck” lights (also known as button lights) are generally 2-1/2” to 3-1/2” in diameter by about 3/4” deep. Because they are usually low-voltage, they require purchase and installation of a separate transformer.
