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Undercabinet Lights
become overwhelming to choose the one for you. The decision should be based
on what you like in the way of light but also may be based on the type of cabinet
you have. The finish under kitchen cabinets varies with different styles as well as
manufacturers. Some are flat bottoms while others may have a skin that leaves a
hollow space. Still other cabinets have a reveal underneath that can be 1/2" or 1".
Adding a light rail is a very common practice in kitchen installations today and this
helps hide the under cabinet lighting.
How many types of undercabinet lighting are there?
There are basically three types of undercabinet lights in form. There are Stand
Alone fixtures, these could be fluorescents, xenon or halogen. There is Linear
Low Voltage undercabinet lighting. These basically consists of small strips or a
track with little halogen or xenon light bulbs. The third is Puck Lights or button
lights. These are small hockey puck size lights which use xenon or halogen bulbs.
Which Undercabinet lights are the best?
There is no easy answer, or right one for that matter, to this question. Some
under cabinet lights have advantages and disadvantages and I guess that's the
best place to start.
Stand Alone Under cabinet Fixtures - These are fixtures that are individual
units. They generally come in different lengths. Another common feature is a switch
on the unit to turn it on and off. The advantages of these fixtures are:
- Ease of installation
- Fluorescents are very energy efficient
- Fluorescent bulbs have a long life
- Xenon bulbs have a long life and are cooler than halogen
- Low profile of about 1" keeps them hidden under most cabinets
Some disadvantages are:
- Restricted to the size they come in
- Fluorescents cannot be dimmed easily
- Halogen bulbs burn very hot
How do I know what size to choose?
The size these fixtures vary from brand to brand but they are in a similar range.
Sizes could be 13", 18", 21", 30", 39" just for example. When ordering these
fixtures don't just go by the cabinet dimensions. There is normally less space than
the full size. For instance a 30" cabinet may only have 28" width underneath to
mount the fixture. In a case like this you may be forced to use a fixture that is 21".
So before you order be sure you know the right sizes you need.
Low Voltage Linear Undercabinet Lighting
Low voltage linear, in my opinion, is one of the best types of undercabinet
lighting. It gives a full even light and has the ability, unlike any other under cabinet
light, of being flexible. Since a track is used and the bulbs are inserted individually,
bulbs can be added or removed to get just the effect you want. These are low
voltage and do require a transformer. The installation is a little labor intensive as
well and overall this is probably the most expensive option for under cabinet
lighting. The brands I prefer are Juno Trac 12 and Halo Linea. There is a company
called Task Lighting who also make a similar product,
More coming soon
