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How to Choose and Install Under Cabinet Lighting Using LED Strip Lights

A well-lit room calls for multiple layers of lighting to address every function of the space. Accent and task lighting are often overlooked for more general illumination, but we love both the looks and the utility of perfectly placed layers.

In kitchens, crafts rooms and elsewhere, great general lighting can only go so far. When you are standing at the counter with your back to the light source, your body creates a shadow right on your work space; cabinetry over countertops can create the same problem for overhead lights. Under cabinet lighting can illuminate surfaces and provide just the right amount of light to allow you to manage tasks with ease. We’ll take you through the basics of under cabinet lighting, so you can see these spaces in a whole new light.

What Is Under Cabinet Lighting?

Under cabinet lighting is what its name implies: it’s lighting that you add underneath the cabinetry on the walls to illuminate the area immediately surrounding the cabinets. It’s unlike a traditional lightbulb-style fixture because it’s designed to be hidden and space-saving, concealed by the cabinet trim so all you see is the light’s effect. Installation options will vary based on your layout, but there’s typically no need for cords or electrical outlets to be placed in obscure areas.

Most types of under cabinet or under counter lighting are designed as a system. These systems contain multiple individual components, including lights, outlets, drivers and more, and they’re configurable so you can place them where they will benefit you most.

There are three main forms of under cabinet lighting:

Tape Lights

Tape lights or strip lights are an easy solution for adding lighting to complex areas. They can work as under cabinet or under counter lighting, or as architectural accent lighting in nearly any space. For those who need a low-voltage solution, this can work well. They tend to be available in long reels (usually about 16 feet) and are flexible so they can be laid over uneven surfaces and made to turn corners as needed. Some of the most effective versions allowing the installer to simply cut them at any point they need to do so.

While tape lights can be effective solutions for difficult areas, they don’t offer as much light as other under cabinet lighting styles. Additionally, granite countertops tend to reflect the individual points of light, creating glare spots. If you have granite or plan to install it, choose an LED tape light with a diffuser.

Puck Lights

A traditionally popular option, puck lights are round, short lights placed on the underside of the cabinetry. Most use tiny screws to hold them in place. These lights are typically about 2 or 3 inches in diameter, but they can be put off a lot of light. Older puck lights use xenon or halogen bulbs, but modern LED puck lights can produce plenty of light while using only about 20 watts of power for ample coverage of the surfaces directly under the lights. A good rule of thumb is to use one puck light for every 8 to 12 inches of countertop.

Puck lights can be powered in several ways. Most often, they connect directly to an outlet to operate: Most halogen and xenon lights will use a 120V AC supply. However, LED puck lights operate on a low-voltage DC, so the power supply will depend on the number lights selected. The transformer and power supply can then be concealed inside the cabinets to create the clean look desired.

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For questions or more information, please email tonlinlighting@outlook.com or Tel: +86-13602540805

 

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