| Under cabinet lighting illuminates the work | | | | Puck under cabinet display lights experience |
| area below with fixture installed on the | | | | difficulty creating an even field of |
| underside of the cabinet. Ideally, the | | | | illumination. If a puck light is installed in |
| fixture(s) used in under cabinet lighting | | | | the center of the cabinet underside, it will |
| should minimize their physical presence and | | | | create a bright circle of light called a "hot |
| conceal physical wiring as much as possible. | | | | spot" immediately beneath itself. Also, by |
| While this form of lighting is technically | | | | design, surface puck lights require exposed |
| geared toward practical activity, it is | | | | wiring and low voltage transformers that may |
| important to maintain aesthetic harmony with | | | | be unsightly and appear as an afterthought. |
| the surrounding environment and also produce | | | | If sitting at tables, banquets or bar stools, |
| the right type of illumination over the work | | | | one's viewing angle changes and provides a |
| area. Counter tops and food preparation need | | | | clear view of these light sources. The only |
| an evenly distributed field of linear | | | | way to compensate for this is to install |
| lighting rather than hot spots of light that | | | | several of smaller puck lights in a series. |
| appear brighter than the rest of the work | | | | Why do this if you can use a strip light |
| area. This light should blend comfortably | | | | products? In fact, with only rare exceptions, |
| with the general lighting of the room without | | | | linear LED strip lights for under cabinet |
| producing discomforting glare. | | | | generally provide the best levels and |
| | | | distribution of light all around. |
| Until recently, the most cost effective under | | | | Fluorescents will fit the bill in many |
| cabinet lights were fluorescent. In fact, | | | | respect, but in many instances will also |
| fluorescent was the lighting industry's power | | | | create glare and seldom come with dimmable |
| saving mainstay since being invented in the | | | | functionality. Furthermore, fluorescent |
| early 20th century. People never really | | | | strips are typically mounted near the back |
| preferred them to incandescents because of | | | | wall with the light thrown forward; putting |
| the glare and flicker they became notorious | | | | too much illumination into a person's eyes |
| for producing. Today, better circuit designs | | | | from a sitting position. |
| and superior fixtures have since made it | | | | |
| possible to use incandescent and LED | | | | LED strips for under cabinet lighting offer a |
| replacement bulbs in under cabinet lighting | | | | number of advantages over both fluorescent |
| fixtures. Low voltage technology can also | | | | strips and puck lights. For one, LED linear |
| make any bulb type less of a power hog. | | | | strips mount near the front of the cabinet |
| Selecting LED under cabinet lights now | | | | and throw the light backward. This keeps the |
| requires more of a designer's eye than an | | | | light from directly blinding the eyes works |
| electrical engineer's technical skills. The | | | | very well on surfaces such as granite and |
| ultimate goal in choosing the right fixture | | | | marble counter tops that are highly |
| has now moved toward producing optimal | | | | reflective by nature. Because each under |
| lighting levels for work areas and creating | | | | cabinet light strip uses lamps that snap |
| balance and comfort with surrounding layers | | | | readily into the light strip itself, they do |
| of light. | | | | not require inconvenient bulb replacements |
| | | | that are common with puck lights. Also, |
| Under cabinet lights fall into one of two | | | | unlike halogen bulbs in puck lights that |
| categories: puck lights and linear strip | | | | become easily damaged by the oil from human |
| lights. Puck lights are circular in shape and | | | | fingers, some manufacturers such as Phantom |
| mount in the center of the cabinet's under | | | | Lighting design lamps of all varieties |
| side. Linear strips mount underneath either | | | | (incandescent lamps, xenon lamps, and LED |
| on the front end or the back end of the | | | | light bulbs, to be handled and switched out |
| cabinet. Until recent years, display cabinet | | | | by the end user without hassle to the person |
| lights used fluorescent lamps designed to | | | | or damage to equipment. |
| create an even spread of light and reduce | | | | |
| energy costs at the same time. Both types of | | | | Remember always, please, that under cabinet |
| fixtures now, however, present certain | | | | lighting innovation, options, and energy |
| drawbacks when it comes to optimal under | | | | efficiency should always be balanced with |
| cabinet lighting. | | | | aesthetic and topped off with end-user |
| | | | friendliness. |