Under
cabinet lighting has been growing more and more popular over the years. You
will find there are major benefits to placing lights under your cabinets. Kruse
Home Improvement has installed under cabinet lighting for many of our customers. Under cabinet lighting can provide two functions in your kitchen. It can
provide task lighting for countertop food preparation and accent lighting to
highlight your countertop and backsplash. If you are planning to remodel your kitchen,
below are more reasons why you may want to consider adding these to your
kitchen.
Lights
under your cabinets give direct light to an object eliminating or lessening
shadows. This makes your room appear bright and clear which is perfect for a kitchen.
In addition, under cabinet lights generally use less power which allows you
sufficient light at a minimal cost.
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| Under cabinet lighting installed by KHI brighten up this kitchen. |
In
the past, most people considered using lights only on the ceiling. Under
cabinet lighting gives additional distinction and unique style to your room. Many kitchen
countertops are made from granite or marble. These lights can make your stone
countertops shine.
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| These under cabinet lights installed by KHI really illuminate the countertop and backsplash in this kitchen. |
Types of under cabinet lighting include the following:
Strip Lights: These are
rectangular shaped fixtures and they work well with fluorescent bulbs. They are
great for providing diffused light to the kitchen.
Puck Lights: These are round
fixtures that got their name from their round, hockey puck-like size and
appearance. These lights are best for highlighting countertops and
backsplashes. Puck lights work with LED, halogen and xenon bulbs and can be
mounted in different positions to either aim downward or at the backsplash. As
an alternative, puck lights can usually be recessed into cabinets.
Linear lights: Linear lights
are often used with fluorescent bulbs. They are the most popular types of
fluorescent under cabinet kitchen lighting because they are thin, which allow
them to be hidden behind the cabinet trim.
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| Under cabinet lighting installed by KHI. |
You will find
there are a wide variety of bulb options for under cabinet lighting. Choose a
soft, dim light or a bold and bright light. The choice is yours. It is
not hard to find the bulbs you like best. Types of bulbs include the following:
Fluorescent bulbs: These are
commonly used for under cabinet lighting fixtures. They create a bright work
area by providing clear light. The disadvantage of fluorescent lights is that
they cannot be dimmed and they sometimes flicker.
Halogen bulbs: Homeowners
seeking a bright, white light choose halogen bulbs. These bulbs have an extremely long life and can last up to 2,000
hours.
Incandescent bulbs: These bulbs are
the least popular choice for under cabinet lighting as they are not very bright.
Incandescent bulbs are not energy efficient and they emit heat. They last half
as long as halogen bulbs.
LED bulbs: These bulbs are
becoming a more popular choice among homeowners as they become more commonly
available at lighting and home improvement stores. LED bulbs come in a variety of colors and provide homeowners with the ability to create unique
decorative features. LED bulbs are best for puck lighting.
Xenon bulbs: These bulbs
have the longest lifespan of all under cabinet light bulb options. They can
last up to 10,000 hours and are energy efficient as they do not create heat.
You
do not need to spend a lot of money to install under cabinet lighting. The
bulbs and cables are not expensive but will add to the look and value of your
home. In addition to a kitchen, under cabinet lights are popular in a study
room, basement or garage.
For
more information, call Kruse
Home Improvement at 860-877-0775. Article Sources: http://EzineArticles.com/3523488
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Under-Cabinet-Lighting-in-Your-Kitchen&id=3523488
