Lighting

Much of designing is based on lighting. Floor lamps, table lamps, chandeliers, recessed lights all require a type of light bulb and it is important to know exactly what types there are and how they work.

The main types of bulbs are incandescent and fluorescent. Incandescent lights work by heating a thin strip of metal unit until it glows. Fluorescent lights electrically excite a gas, which then causes a phosphorescent coating to glow. Different types of lights can produce different colors a great way to find the correct color that you want is to look at the CRI which is the color rendering index. The best bulbs usually score between 95-100 and the worst around 52. Fluorescents light bulbs render a bluish tint, tungsten incandescent light bulbs render a yellow tint, and halogen light bulbs render a pink tint.

The best type of lighting to buy is the compact fluorescent, 2nd is the tungsten incandescent, and 3rd is the halogen. The CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb) uses about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and lasts up to 10 times longer. It also produces 75% less heat. Also always look for the ENERGY STAR approval. This means a product has met strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US environmental protection agency. They initially use less energy and these products reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against climate change.

Compact Fluorescent bulbs are used to light most table lamps and floor lamps and may also be used for ceiling fixtures and sconces. Incandescent bulbs are also used for most table lamps, floor lamps, ceiling fixtures, and sconces. Halogen bulbs are usually used for spotlights and outdoor lights and are often used for stage lights. LED lighting ( light emitting diode) is a semiconductor device which converts electricity into light. This process is much less expensive for the amount of light generated.

LED lights are better at placing light in a single direction than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. LED lights are more rugged and damage-resistant than compact fluorescent and incandescent bulbs LED lights don’t flicker, they are very heat sensitive and they can be used in task and reading lamps, linear strip lighting, recessed lighting, art lighting, night lighting, stair and walkway lighting, and pendants.


Cheers

-Chet