Types of Under Cabinet Lighting
What are the different types of under cabinet lighting?
There are three main types of under cabinet lighting you can consider installing in your kitchen.
LED Strip Lights
Are LED strips good for under-cabinet lighting?
Tape lights or strip lights are a solution for adding lighting to complex areas. They can work as under cabinet or under counter lighting, or as architectural accent lighting in nearly any space. For those who need a low-voltage solution, this can work well. They tend to be available in long reels (usually about 16 feet) and are flexible so they can be laid over uneven surfaces and made to turn corners as needed.
While tape lights can be effective solutions for difficult areas, they don’t offer as much light as other under cabinet lighting styles. Additionally, granite countertops tend to reflect the individual points of light, creating glare spots. If you have granite or plan to install it, choose an LED tape light with a diffuser.
LED Light Bars
LED light bars are a popular option in today’s market because of the safety and quality of light produced by LEDs.
A light bar is a long, thin light fixture that’s also affixed to the underside of a cabinet. These bar or strip lights are ideal for spaces where an even distribution of light is important. By comparison, puck lights can create bright spots of light, whereas light bars distribute their light along the length of the fixture more readily.
LED Puck Lights
A traditionally popular option, puck lights are round, short lights placed on the underside of the cabinetry. Most use tiny screws to hold them in place. These lights are typically about 2 or 3 inches in diameter, but they can be put off a lot of light. Older puck lights use xenon or halogen bulbs, but modern LED puck lights can produce plenty of light while using only about 20 watts of power for ample coverage of the surfaces directly under the lights. A good rule of thumb is to use one puck light for every 8 to 12 inches of countertop. LED puck lights operate on a low-voltage DC, so the power supply will depend on the number lights selected. The transformer and power supply can then be concealed inside the cabinets to create the clean look desired.
Phoenix Electrical partners with leading lighting manufacturers, offering Northwest Georgia the best and latest technology, fixtures and controls. For high-quality materials and professional under cabinet lighting installation, call Phoenix Electrical at 706-607-6332 to arrange for your free estimate.
