Kitchen cabinets tends to cast long shadows across the countertops by the evening hours. Using only one overhead cabinet light can create a situation in which a person must strain their eyes to focus on the details necessary for completing their cooking task. Under cabinet lighting remedy this problem.
Under cabinet lighting allow a person to illuminate their countertops with focused light that targets the areas where their cooking tasks will occur. Under cabinet lighting makes meal preparation a more enjoyable activity. Furthermore, under cabinet lighting can create the visual aspect of a kitchen renovation without having to actualy perform any renovations in the kitchen.
There are a variety of lighting options available for under cabinet, each with its own features. The various types of under cabinet lighting offer features that differ from other types of kitchen lighting. For instance, each type of under cabinet lighting include different color temperatures of light that will illuminate the cooking tasks.
Furthermore, some types of under cabinet lighting has different brightness values than others. Other features of under cabinet lighting include the power source of the lights. Some under cabinet lighting fixtures will last for years without having to perform any maintenance on the lights, while other types may require replacing the battery every few months.
Each feature of under cabinet lighting can vary from type to type, and choosing the correct category of under cabinet lighting helps a person to save money, save time, and avoid making multiple trip to the hardware store to purchase under cabinet lighting. One of the most popular types of under cabinet lighting are LED puck lights. LED puck lights are popular for a variety of reasons.
Popular Types of Under Cabinet Lighting
1. LED Puck Lights
For instance, LED puck lights are typically small and round, with most lights having a diameter of two to three inch. The LED puck lights emit a light that mimics the light created by old halogen lights, but without the heat and power consumption of those halogen lights. You can surface mount the lights onto the cabinets, recessed into the bottoms of the cabinets, or several lights can be linked together with wires that are hidden beneath the cabinets.
Most LED puck lights use a 12-volt transformer, but hardwired versions are available. LED puck lights are best used in kitchens that require areas of light to be focused onto tasks, such as the sink or the cooktop. However, the visible hardware of these lights may not be desired in some kitchen.
An alternative is to choose a low-profile LED puck light or to recess the lights into the cabinets. Despite these limitations, LED puck lights are very popular in kitchens due to the focused light that they emit. Another type of under cabinet lighting are LED strips.
2. LED Strips
LED strips come in a variety of lengths and colors, and are thin and flexible. The strips can be easily cut to the desired length with a pair of scissors. The strips can be adhered directly to the cabinets with their pre-installed adhesive, or there are battery-powered versions of these strips that allow for placement into areas where electrical outlet are not available.
LED strips emit an even light to the counters beneath them, which is preferred by some cooks. Furthermore, color-changing strips allow for changes in color from warm white to blue light, which is useful for those who would like to create a moddern atmosphere in the kitchen at night. The only issue with LED strips is the longevity of the adhesive; it may stick to the cabinets initially, but the glue may wear with the exposure to the counter surfaces and cooking steam.
Therefore, using a few mounting clip to secure the strips will ensure that the strips will not fall during cooking tasks. LED strips are virtually invisible once installed, and emit a high degree of light. Under cabinet light bars are another type of lighting that may be used in place of LED strips or LED puck lights.
3. Light Bars
Under cabinet light bars are long, thin strip of lighting that are mounted into the cabinets in place of purchasing additional LED strips or LED puck lights. Furthermore, light bars contain LEDs that are linked together within an aluminum housing. The aluminum housing both allows for even lighting to be distributed from the light bar, and acts as the housing for the light bar.
Hard-wired versions are available, as are versions that can be wired to a new switch. Battery and plug into outlet version are also available, though the cords may require some creativity to hide beneath the counters. Light bars are used in kitchens that desire the lighting to appear as a feature of the kitchen architecture, rather than an add-on lighting fixture.
Despite their benefits, light bars cost more per linear foot than strips of LED lights, puck lights or LED strips. Under cabinet fluorescent light are still available in older kitchens or in kitchens that are on a budget. Under cabinet lighting using fluorescent light bulbs has been used in the past due to the low cost and high brightness of fluorescent lights.
4. Fluorescent Lights
Moddern version of fluorescent lights use electronic ballasts, eliminating hum and slow startup times. The fluorescent lights distribute their light even across the counters, assisting those who are required to focus on various areas of the counters. However, the color rendering of fluorescent lights may be flat in comparison to LED lights.
Furthermore, fluorescent lights may emit more heat than LED lights, and may consume more power to provide the same light output as LED bulbs. Under cabinet lights can be completely replaced during a kitchen renovation. However, if the existing lights are performing adequately, it may be best to leave alone until a decision is made regarding upgrading the kitchen lighting.
Another type of under cabinet lighting include xenon under cabinet lights. Xenon lights are located in both puck lights and linear lights, and emit a light that is similar to natural daylight. Furthermore, xenon lights are typically of low voltages, like LED lights, which keeps the lights cool during operation.
5. Xenon Lights
The lights dim smoothly to selected brightness, and reach that brightness almost instantly. However, the lifespan of xenon bulbs tends to be shorter than LED bulbs, and those xenon bulbs must be replaced every two or three year, while LED bulbs can last for ten years or more. Furthermore, xenon bulbs also use more power than LED bulbs.
However, individuals who desire lighting that is warmer and more inviting than some early LED lights may purchase xenon lights. Another type of lighting altogether are fiber optic systems for under cabinets. Fiber optic systems use light strand that are connected to a light box that can be placed within a cabinet or closet.
6. Fiber Optic Systems
Under the cabinets are only visible the lenses or line of light from the strands. This type of lighting eliminates heat, bulbs, and electricity under the cabinets. Furthermore, the fiber optic lights have color wheel that allow a person to change the color lighting of the kitchen.
Fiber optics are used in the construction of custom homes. Furthermore, the installation of fiber optics requires some planning in how the fibers will be placed under the cabinets. While fiber optics may appear to be an unnecessary lighting option, many individuals will once they see one correctly installed.
The visual impact that fiber optics can have on a kitchen lighting design is substantial. Another type of under cabinet lighting is motion sensor light.
7. Motion Sensor Lights
Motion sensor lights use the same light sources as mentioned above, except with the addition of motion sensors. These sensors may use infrared or microwave sensors to detect movement near the cabinets. When an individual passes by or waves a hand near the cabinets, the lights can brighten. After a few minute of inactivity, the lights will turn off automatically to save energy.
Battery powered versions are available with motion sensors, and are helpful for installing into cabinets that are not easily accessed. Furthermore, if the motion sensors are hardwired to smart home systems, turning them on will activate another device in the home, such as a coffee maker. Motion sensors have become so popular that some motion sensors will not be triggered by movement from pets or others that pass by the cabinets.
Therefore, motion sensor lights can be purchased for kitchens of any type and design. There are actually three specific question that may help a person to choose the correct type of under cabinet lighting. The first question is: how permanent should the lighting be?
Under cabinet lighting can be permanent, hard wired to the countertop, or it can be less permanent and use batteries. The second question is: what color and what type of light is desired in the kitchen? The third question is: how much disruption will be made during the installation process?
For instance, a renter may opt for LED strips that use batteries and can simply be placed under the cabinets. However, a homeowner that plans to stay in their home for decades may opt for hard wiring lights into the countertop. In some kitchens it is useful to have different types of lighting in different areas of the kitchen; for instance, puck lights may be used under the sink, color changing LED strip lights may be used in the breakfast area, motion sensor lights may be used in the pantry area, and each type of light may be purchased for the same kitchen.
Under cabinet lighting choices may seem small to those who are faced with the decision, but the lighting choices will have an impact on the future. For example, if an individual chooses a type of under cabinet lighting that may need to be replaced every few year, it is likely that their kitchen’s lighting will be replaced when they eventually upgrade their kitchen. However, purchasing an under cabinet lighting system that is suited to their workflow, their countertop tools, and their time investment will save those who make these choices their future selves from potential difficulties when seeking to perform their cooking tasks at 7:00 pm.
