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LED T5 tube vs LED strip lights

8 years ago

Hi, can someone help clarify when one would choose to use LED strip lighting vs an LED T5 tube for under cabinet lighting? I have a new kitchen installation and can't seem to find much information on using a T5 tube.

Many thanks!

Patricia

Featured Answer

lynartist

8 years ago

I'm not to sure how much the electrician charged on these jobs but I do love the beautiful even light the LED tape lights give! And they are so low profile too!

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Comments (9)

Bev
8 years ago
Our kitchen has the fluorescent tube lights underneath the counters. They were already there when we bought the house last year. It's a good thing because for some reason, there is not a ceiling or pendant light in the kitchen! We will be changing that.
chocochippy thanked Bev
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You could look at setups with both cool and warm light before making the decision. Some prefer having both the UCL and room lighting at the same color temp which in most homes is 2700k. On the other hand, linear fluorescent UCL is usually >= 3500k. I went with cool white (~ 3500k) for the UCL since the backsplash color went better with cool white than warm (2700k) and the UCL is used more often than the room lighting. The color reproduction will depend quite a bit on the Color Rendition Index (CRI) of the light used. With hue changing light strips, it is technically possible to have a color temp range from < 2500k to 5000k. Maybe something to think about as a future upgrade?
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chocochippy
Original Author
8 years ago
To further explain, I hired a contractor to renovate my home and in the contract it was stated that we were to get LED strip lights installed under the cabinets. Yesterday I came home and there were LED T5 tube lights instead. I don't want to create a fuss if they are equally good. My google searching hasn't been successful. Thanks everyone!
PRO
Steveworks LLC
8 years ago
Shouldn't make a difference, the T-5 may be less expensive.
chocochippy thanked Steveworks LLC
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
8 years ago
When you ask for a specific thing insist on getting it .
chocochippy thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
jfoynyc
7 years ago
LED T5's are not cheap but great. Big improvement over non-LED T5.

I use them wherever I have overhead cabinets that are at least 9" from the ceiling and get wonderful indirect light with no need for under-cabinet or ceiling lights. Same approach using a shelf-type up high on the wall in the LR.
Georges Rbeiz
6 years ago
T5's are basically made out of LED strips - They are actually more expensive than LED strips and easier to change
PRO
Jessica
3 years ago
I think LED Strip will be more cost-effective, and the same beautiful, if it is me, I will choose LEDStrip
PRO
Malisa Suntech
last year
led strip is a very good choice, easy and convenient to install. If it is a kitchen, you can choose a flexible S-shaped light strip, or a very thin light strip.

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