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Types Of Under Cabinet Lighting
The aesthetics and optimum efficiency grade of cabinet lights depend on the type of light you pick. Here are some of the most popular options.
LED
The most common and energy-efficient form of cabinet lights is LED (light-emitting diode).
LED lighting was once excessively costly and restricted to directional illumination. Fortunately, it is cheaper now, but still the priciest option on the list.
LEDs now provide spread whole-room illumination. You can take advantage of this feature to deal with overhead fixtures.
LED is the most popular choice (Link)
Fluorescent lights
A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) is power-saving and creates little heat. Many homeowners appreciate these features so much.
However, it still has several drawbacks. For example, these tube lamps create an obnoxious buzzing noise and provide harsh light.
The lights can't work with a dimmer. Constantly switching them on and off might shorten their lifespan.
Halogen
Halogen lights have a gas composition within the light that holds halogen vapor. The chemical interacts when electricity travels through it, creating white, bright light.
Halogen lights, on the other hand, are extremely hot. You shouldn't install them where you may touch them accidentally.
These products are more energy-efficient than fluorescent lamps (and many levels more efficient than incandescent bulbs), consuming 25 to 80% less energy.
They are inferior to xenon bulbs and far poorer than LED illumination in most areas. Nonetheless, they are a nice middle alternative that will provide adequate illumination at a fair price.
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Xenon
Unlike halogen models, xenon lighting offers a bright, white light without a filament.
Alternatively, it requires an electrical current from the xenon gas in the lightbulb, which allows electrons to activate and generate light.
Xenon lighting is both cooler to the feeling and more economical than halogen lamps. It can last two or three times longer.
In general, LED lights outperform halogen and xenon lights. However, xenon bulbs are the second-best choice for brightness and lifetime.
Last update on 2022-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Installing cabinet lights for kitchens is optional. If you decide to plan it, you will gain some benefits, such as:
Cost
Since you can place under cabinet light bulbs yourself, they can also be cost-effective. There are many options to pick from. Battery-powered lights are usually the most cost-effective solution.
Aesthetic
Thanks to the layered elements of the bulbs, the lighting may also provide a unique appearance to your kitchen. Having creative and contemporary kitchen decor may enhance the value of your property.
Under-cabinet lights may enhance the beauty of a place. It means that if properly installed, this kind of lighting may make an area sparkle.
Efficiency
There are extremely few shadows to cope with since you're not standing between the counter and the light.
Shadows may make it difficult to cook and prepare meals. Hence, appropriate lighting is essential for the efficiency of your cooking time.
Ease of installation
Another obvious advantage of kitchen lighting is how simple they are to set up. Installing this form of illumination is quite simple, even if you are not an expert.
Recessed or pendant lighting may require specialized construction. Yet, some lighting solutions only require screwing or nailing a band of light beneath your cupboards and plugging it in. You can watch this video to learn more tips for installing the lights.
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What To Look For In Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Options?
Since you can narrow down your selection by checking the following factors: there are many options to consider.
Voltage
If power consumption is your top concern, check for the voltage of your target product first. The voltage may range widely, from 1.5 to 120V, depending on the type of fixture you choose:
- Line-voltage: 120V
- Low-voltage: 12 to 14V
- Battery-powered: 1.5 to 10V
Style
Three common styles, with their most outstanding features, for the lighting are:
- Strip lights are rolls with backing glue that you can apply to a surface.
- Puck lights, which look like hockey pucks, can generate spots of light rather than a uniform beam of illumination throughout a space.
- Bar lights, the most prevalent type, feature a light diffusion cover, making them durable enough for your kitchen's job areas.
Dimmability
We strongly advise buying dimmable lighting. While its dimmers may add to the cost, they will allow you far greater control over the illumination.
One advantage is that it uses less energy. When you don't need it, dimming the lights can help you save electricity.
Furthermore, different people may have distinct visual demands. A person with vision issues, for example, would prefer low-intensity illumination.
Installation
If you intend to conduct any DIY installation, you should think about how simple it is to set up a specific type of lighting.
The easiest to mount is the LED ropes and strips. On the other hand, Puck lights can be a little more challenging to work with.
Available space
It's critical to figure out how much space you have for lights. For the most flawless effect, it's best to keep the fixture covered behind the cabinet's front.
Consider the position of the lights as well. Because puck and light bars are thick, they're more suitable for placing against the back of the cupboard, where they'll be out of the way.
Consider carefully before buying (Link)
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Where To Install Cabinet Lights?
If you're going to mount something under a cupboard, make sure it's facing the front. If the light has a lens, it should face the backsplash.
Whether sitting or standing, the cupboard's bottom-front railing should conceal the light from your sightline. Try using a narrow board or trimming piece to prolong the rail if it doesn't.
Two tips help you relieve the headache of choosing the placement for the light:
Use the fixture with different color temperatures.
It would be best to look for lights with various color temperatures and a strong and low setting.
You'll be able to change between tasks and effects by just turning a switch off the light fittings.
Test different positions
Testing is essential to ensure that you are pleased and have no doubts after going to the work of placing them everywhere across your kitchen.
During the test, you may also try out other light fixture solutions. To keep one light fixture in place, simply apply some thick tape. After that, plug the bulb in and check how it works.
Here are some frequently asked questions about kitchen cabinet lighting. Let's check the answers carefully because you may face the same problems.
1. How many under-cabinet lights do I need?
The number of lights required depends on the lumens per bulb generated, the type of fixture used, and the room's dimensions.
2. Where should I place under-cabinet lighting?
People often install the bulb in the middle of the cupboard. Also, remember to place it in the front.
3. How many lumens do I need for under-cabinet lighting?
For most surfaces used for cooking, the light should emit about 1000 to 2500 lumens on average.
This brightness guarantees that you have sufficient illumination while slicing, peeling, cutting, or doing any other food preparation tasks.
4. What lights can I put under kitchen cabinets?
There are four main options: LED, fluorescent, halogen, and xenon. Each type comes with both pros and cons. Remember to consider both sides before making your purchase.
5. What is the most popular under cabinet lighting?
LED is undoubtedly the most loved choice because it is powerful, energy-efficient, easy to install, and long-lasting.
6. How do you illuminate kitchen cabinets?
There are many ideas for lighting your cabinets, such as:
- Under-cabinet lighting is the most popular one since it aims to light your whole countertop.
- Bulbs within the base cupboard skirting can create a hovering look in the kitchen.
- The kitchen's bottom cabinets have some drawers. You can install task lighting in these drawers to see clearly what you are looking for.
- Inside-cabinet lights can showcase china, glasses, and other ornamental objects in cupboards.
7. How do you light inside a cabinet?
You can install spotlights on the tops of the cabinets, or strip lights on each shelf.
Glass shelves allow light to seep through and reach the lower shelf. Dimmers may also help alter the luminosity in the kitchen and generate a relaxing atmosphere.
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A kitchen is an essential place in any home. As a result, investing in cabinet lights is worth it if you want to enhance the value of your property.
Hopefully, the article can help you with essential information about the lights you need. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Thank you for reading!
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