What was once a simple decision due to limited options, can now seem rather complex. Try streamlining the process by considering these most often overlooked elements: Fixture Location and Purpose, Color Variety and Temperature, Brightness and/or Intensity and LED Lighting Accessories.
Location, Location, Location. Where will the LED lighting be located in your upcoming project? What is the purpose of the LED lighting? These are the first questions to tackle before selecting specific LED’s. Generally, RSL recommends warmer LED lighting for residential applications and when highlighting “décor”. The slightly cool higher temps for commercial settings are recommended as well as cool for pure “task” LED lighting. Consider the combination task LED lighting (3500K) fixture for a little extra warmth. This option seems to be popular in office settings and in other commercial and institutional settings. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to consider how the new LED fixture will interplay with other lighting components, such as other fixtures, wall coloring, accent pieces, natural light, etc. A holistic understanding of the effects of light in the designated space will make for a more satisfying purchase.
Choosing color variety, or color temperature, is the next step. Slight variations in color make a huge impact on the mood of the designated space. First generation LED’s were blue, cool, somewhat harsh & unattractive. Newer generations of LED lighting offer color temps ranging from a fiery 2400K to the cool 6500K. RSL is seeing many clients gravitate toward the 2700K option: which is a fairly close offset to incandescent. A 3000K temperature color is a nice middle of the road “Soft White.” Recently, 3500K temperature LED’s have flourished as the choice for “corporate lighting.”
Brightness of a fixture, or intensity, is correlated to lumen output. Understanding the light output demanded by each fixture is important. Light output/lumen output, for RSL, is directly related to diode spacing on our LED lighting tape. The standard brightness incorporates .66” spacing– a little over 5/8 of an inch. High brightness tape “kicks up” the lumen output through additional diodes: spacing with this method is one diode every ½”. Our VHB (very high brightness) products stuff one diode every 3/8”. As you can imagine, this really delivers a strong output.
Managing the light output brings us to the final question: what other components or accessories will be incorporated in this system? Dimmers can be used with all RSL fixtures and are extremely valuable tools to “dial” or “tune” in the desired level and softness of light. Many times high lumen output is available, but not needed because the dimming component has been implemented. It’s always wise to double check dimmer and dimming system compatibility with any LED fixture. Lensing may also contribute to a final output. Choosing clear or frosted lenses on the fixtures can either clarify or dissipate output. RSL offers other optical enhancements to further manipulate the output to the client’s requirements when requested.
RSL is the sole supplier of low voltage LED lighting fixtures that combines all of the critical elements (the color temperatures, brightness, and lensing) into low profile fixtures manufactured to your custom lengths. What was once special order is now available through RSL with incredibly short delivery times.
You can have the lighting you envisioned. Call, click or visit us today.