Under Cabinet Lights

Under cabinet lights illuminate the work space below your cabinets with fixtures installed on the underside. Ideally, the fixtures placed beneath cabinet should minimize their physical presence and conceal physical wiring as much as possible. Whereas this way of lighting is designed to be functional more than anything else, it is vital to keep up aesthetic harmony with the surrounding setting and also display the correct sort of illumination over the work area. Counter tops and food preparation areas need an evenly distributed field of linear lighting rather than hot spots of light that seem brighter than the rest of the work area. This light should blend comfortably with the general lighting of the room, while not manufacturing discomforting glare.

Till recently, the most cost effective under cabinet lights were fluorescent. In fact, fluorescent was the lighting industry's power saving mainstay since being invented early in the 20th century. Folks never seemed to prefer them to incandescents as a result of of the glare and flicker they became known for producing. Nowadays, better circuit designs and superior fixtures have since made it possible to use incandescent and LED replacement bulbs in under cabinet lighting fixtures. Low voltage technology can also make any bulb more energy efficient. Selecting LED under cabinet lights currently requires more of a designer’s eye than an electrical engineer’s technical skills. The ultimate goal in selecting the right fixture has currently moved toward producing optimal lighting levels for work areas and creating balance and comfortable lighting with the surrounding layers of light.

Under cabinet lights fall into one of two categories: puck lights and linear strip lights. Puck lights are circular in shape and mount in the middle of the cabinet’s bottom side. Linear strips mount on the underside either on the front or the rear of the cabinet. No matter which type of light you choose, there will be drawbacks when it comes to optimal lighting.

Puck lights have trouble making an even field of illumination. If a puck light is installed in the center of the cupboard underside, it can create a bright circle of light referred to as a “hot spot” immediately beneath itself. Also, surface puck lights require exposed wiring and low voltage transformers that may simply look ugly. If sitting at tables or on bar stools, your viewing angle changes and provides a clear view of those light sources. The only way to get around this is to install several of smaller puck lights in a series. Why do that if you'll be able to use a strip light product? In fact, with only rare exceptions, linear LED strip lights usually provide the best levels and distribution of light all around. Fluorescents can also fit the bill in some respects, but they will also produce glare and they don't typically come with dimmable functionality. Furthermore, fluorescent strips are typically mounted near the back wall with the light thrown forward; putting an excessive amount of illumination into a person's eyes from a sitting position.

LED strips for under cabinet lighting offer a range of advantages over both fluorescent strips and puck lights. For one, LED linear strips mount near the front of the cabinet and throw the light backward. This keeps the light from directly blinding the eyes, and works very well on surfaces such as granite and marble counter tops that are highly reflective by nature. And because every light strip uses lamps that snap readily into the light strip itself, they rarely require inconvenient bulb replacements that are common with puck lights. Also, unlike halogen bulbs in puck lights that become easily damaged by the oil from human fingers, these lights can be handled and switched out by user easily and without the potential damage to the bulbs.

What you want with these lights is energy efficiency balanced with a nice look, comfortable even lighting, and user friendliness.

Keep in mind always, please, that below cabinet lighting innovation, options, and energy efficiency ought to forever be balanced with aesthetic and topped off with end-user friendliness.