Kichler Under Cabinet Lighting

Under cabinet lighting for remodeling projects or new construction are better if they can be wired directly to the electrical system of the home. This means easy access to the light by way of a wall switch and also takes away the messiness of unsightly cords. For cabinets already in place, units providing a plug will be easiest to use as no wiring is necessary and they have their own switch installed on the unit.

Five types of illumination are available for under cabinet lighting: Fluorescent, Incandescent, Halogen, Xenon and LED (Light Emitting Diode). Each is listed below with its respective explanation and areas of use:

1. 1. Fluorescent Bulbs: These bulbs are the most common type used in kitchens and commercial settings. They provide the user with an energy efficient lighting choice and are the bright choice in lighting.
2. 2. Incandescent Bulbs: These particular bulbs are not a choice for areas needing bright light as they only give off a warm glow. They tend to be softer than fluorescent lighting. For under cabinet lighting on a budget, this is a great choice as they are not as expensive as the other bulbs. They can easily be put on a dimmer switch and last about 1000 hours. They are not an energy efficient bulb and generate a fair amount of heat when used.
3. 3. Halogen Bulbs: This bulb gives a white lighting effect but in a warm and bright way. They are not as bright and rough as a fluorescent bulb would be. They can last up to 2000 hours. Halogen bulbs need to be used in a fixture made to absorb the amount of heat they can generate.
4. 4. Xenon Bulbs: These bulbs will give you the least amount of light but enough to be used in any situation. They are relatively inexpensive and last up to 10,000 hours. The heat generated by these bulbs is very low.
5. 5. LED Lighting: LEDs are especially suited for undercabinet lighting. The ability to cluster LEDs in a puck-like fashion, or string them in a linear array, provides options to lighting designers and home owners alike to imitate the form factor of linear fluorescent lamps or the single lamps of a halogen or xenon fixture. The inherent directionality of LEDs allows a larger proportion of the available light to be directed where it is needed and not lost within the fixture and the efficacy of newer high-flux LEDs is providing a wide choice of color temperatures. Traditional lighting fixtures designed for use with halogen or fluorescent illumination range from 30% to 50% efficiency, resulting in half or more of the light produced never leaving the fixture.

Beautiful lighting is an important component and should match and accentuate the existing décor while giving the user the most functionality possible.

Under cabinet lighting for remodeling projects or new construction are better if they can be wired directly to the electrical system of the home. This means easy access to the light by way of a wall switch and also takes away the messiness of unsightly cords. For cabinets already in place, units providing a plug will be easiest to use as no wiring is necessary and they have their own switch installed on the unit.

Five types of illumination are available for under cabinet lighting: Fluorescent, Incandescent, Halogen, Xenon and LED (Light Emitting Diode). Each is listed below with its respective explanation and areas of use:

1. 1. Fluorescent Bulbs: These bulbs are the most common type used in kitchens and commercial settings. They provide the user with an energy efficient lighting choice and are the bright choice in lighting.
2. 2. Incandescent Bulbs: These particular bulbs are not a choice for areas needing bright light as they only give off a warm glow. They tend to be softer than fluorescent lighting. For under cabinet lighting on a budget, this is a great choice as they are not as expensive as the other bulbs. They can easily be put on a dimmer switch and last about 1000 hours. They are not an energy efficient bulb and generate a fair amount of heat when used.
3. 3. Halogen Bulbs: This bulb gives a white lighting effect but in a warm and bright way. They are not as bright and rough as a fluorescent bulb would be. They can last up to 2000 hours. Halogen bulbs need to be used in a fixture made to absorb the amount of heat they can generate.
4. 4. Xenon Bulbs: These bulbs will give you the least amount of light but enough to be used in any situation. They are relatively inexpensive and last up to 10,000 hours. The heat generated by these bulbs is very low.
5. 5. LED Lighting: LEDs are especially suited for undercabinet lighting. The ability to cluster LEDs in a puck-like fashion, or string them in a linear array, provides options to lighting designers and home owners alike to imitate the form factor of linear fluorescent lamps or the single lamps of a halogen or xenon fixture. The inherent directionality of LEDs allows a larger proportion of the available light to be directed where it is needed and not lost within the fixture and the efficacy of newer high-flux LEDs is providing a wide choice of color temperatures. Traditional lighting fixtures designed for use with halogen or fluorescent illumination range from 30% to 50% efficiency, resulting in half or more of the light produced never leaving the fixture.

Beautiful lighting is an important component and should match and accentuate the existing décor while giving the user the most functionality possible.