Under cupboard, shelf lights, cabinet or unit lights as they are sometimes called can be neatly divided into three main types by lamp use. They generally use halogen, fluorescent or LED. Some are designed to be seen whilst others are designed to be completely hidden behind the cupboard pelmet or under the shelf. The most important consideration is that whatever you choose must be bright enough. If you intend to use your under cupboard lighting as accent lighting, you should consider a dimmable fixture.
Advice Regarding Under Cabinet Lighting and Cupboards
Under cupboard lights tend to incorporate halogen or incandescent fittings and are usually of the surface mounted type designed to be viewed, such as triangular, glass and wedge lights. Many finishes are available for this type, including stainless steel, chrome, brass and even copper to complement your kitchen finish. They are usually low voltage and are supplied either in kit form or singly for use with a transformer. Replacement light bulb costs are relatively low but this is offset by a shorter lamp life.
Fluorescent under cabinet lights are divided into two main categories. Surface mounted types designed to be viewed and strip lights that are designed to be hidden. The surface mounted type generally uses a small round compact fluorescent lamp with a GX5.3 fitting, whilst the strip light will use either a T4 or T5 tube. Replacement lamp costs are considerably higher in the case of the GX5.3 but lower for fluorescent tubes. These costs are slightly offset by long lamp life, higher efficiency and low energy usage.
LED under cupboard lighting is now a real alternative to other types of fittings due to the use of high output LED’s. They are available in different lengths, colours and styles to suit almost every application. The triangular LED strip lights are designed to be mounted at 45° where the wall meets the cupboard base to shine light directly at the worktop. The flat profile LED strip lights are designed to be mounted out of sight on the cabinet base and shine straight down at the work area. All of our LED strip lights are dimmable. Initial purchase costs are high but this is offset by very long life, typically 30,000 hours or more, very high efficiency and unsurpassed energy efficiency.
Plinth lights are purely decorative or can be used as night lights. They are normally small LED lights recessed into the plinth or surface mounted LED ribbon. They are available in many colours and will add a certain something to most rooms.
If you require any further help or advice on selecting your under cupboard lighting for shelves, cabinets and units or indeed LED plinth lights, please call 0151 650 2138 or send us a message using the contact us form for friendly, honest and down to earth information.
