Kitchen Undercabinet Lighting Watch the Transformation

Let us first take a look at the types of lighting fixtures.

Types of Kitchen under Cabinet Lighting Fixtures:

Kitchen under cabinet lighting fixtures can be broadly classified into the following:

-Linear lighting: For example – energy efficient fluorescent fixtures, recessing lighting, or puck lights.

-Strip lighting: Fluorescent, incandescent fixtures or low voltage modular systems, halogen, xenon and argon strip lights that give you a constant stream of horizontal light.

-Down lighting fixtures for a circular light pattern – for example, puck lights, which can be installed as recessed or surface mounts.

Among kitchen under cabinet lighting fixtures, the puck lights are available as swivel lights so that you can aim the light exactly where you want. If you want to highlight a particular design element, swivel puck lights are the way to go.

You also get combination fixtures that give you linear lighting as well as let you aim it at a particular spot, appearing like mini track lights so that you can fix lamp holders where you want. All this can be done with the same electrical installation.

Incandescent Lights

The traditional choice is the incandescent bulb for its low cost and type of light produced. You get high voltage and low voltage systems here. However, these are not so energy efficient since they draw a lot of power, create shadows and also generate heat. Added to this, they have to be replaced often. The advantage, though, is that these are okay for specific displays and are also easy to control with dimmers.

Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent lighting is the best option for under cabinet task lighting as it produces bright light devoid of shadows. There are different types of fluorescent lighting lamps and depending on your needs, you can choose the appropriate length and wattage. Here you will find references like T5, T8, T12 etc. where T means tubular and the number shows the diameter of the bulb in eighths of inches. The T5 type usually comes in cool or warm white options. T12 are bulkier and have more color options. Probably the best choice is T8 whose color and size are ideal for kitchen under cabinet lighting. You can use xenon and halogen lamps or also mix and match with fluorescent and incandescent lamps in the same unit depending on the kind of lighting you want. Manufacturers often offer complete fixture units with transformer, reflector, lamp, lens etc. in a single housing.

If you were installing modular under cabinet lighting or mini track lighting with the xenon and halogen lamps, you would need to locate them in the right place if you want to highlight your backsplash area or countertop.

Kitchen Undercabinet Lighting to Kitchen Lighting

For information on other kitchen lighting that you can choose from click on any of the links below for more information on that type of lighting.

Cabinet Lighting
Energy Efficient Lighting
Fluorescent Lighting
Island Lighting
Lighting Fixtures
Lighting Ideas
Lighting Layout
Lighting Plans
Pendant Lighting
Recessed Lighting
Sink Lighting
Track Lighting