Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Fixtures:

Kitchen cabinet lighting has become an essential component in kitchen lighting design. A distinction can be made between kitchen under cabinet lighting and interior cabinet lighting because these are often totally different types of fixtures.

Products:

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1. Kitchen under cabinet lighting refers to linear under cabinet lighting or puck lights that illuminate counter tops.
2. Interior kitchen cabinet lighting - lighting within a kitchen cabinet.

Kitchen Under Cabinet Lighting:

Kitchen under cabinet lighting fixtures are usually rectangular shaped and are mounted directly under cabinets. We prefer using the rectangular linear fixtures instead of puck lights. As a general rule your undercabinet lights should be at least 90% of the total cabinet length. These light fixtures are now offered in various sizes, styles, materials, and type of light bulb. The lens on the fixture can be either glass or plastic.

An important factor to consider is the type of light bulb. Light bulbs emit distinctive colored light that show off different colors better. Fluorescent, low voltage halogen and xenon light fixtures provide the most effective lighting.

Fluorescent bulbs are the most energy efficient (give out the most light per watt) and operate cooler.

Halogen bulbs have good color rendering, warm tone light, and are easily dimmable. However, they are more expensive, only last 2000 hours, and have a hotter operating temperature.

Xenon bulbs also have high color rendering, last a long time (between 5000-10000 hours), are easily dimmable, and are not as hot as halogens.

Tip: If possible, position the fixtures at the front edge of the cabinet behind the wood trim (light rail or fascia) for an even spread of light.

Above Cabinet Lighting:

The fixtures used for above cabinet lighting or cove lighting can be the same as the under cabinet fixtures or you can use plain fluorescent bear bulb strips. Xenon or fluorescent fixtures are preferable.

Interior Cabinet Lighting:

Interior kitchen cabinet lighting consists of either strips of lights that run vertically through the cabinets or puck lights mounted under each shelf.

Low voltage strip lights - good for cabinets with glass cabinet doors with solid shelves. Can easily be retrofitted into existing home entertainment cabinetry, armoirs, and china cabinets.

Puck lights / mini recessed lights - good for cabinets with glass cabinet doors with glass shelves. Some puck lights have the option of being recessed or surface mounted.

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