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Lighting Design Dilemma Kitchens

LED Tape Light Brightness-Kitchen Under Cabinet Lighting

6 years ago

I am doing a kitchen remodel and will be putting in LED tape lighting under cabinets, which will be in addition to the recessed lights in the ceiling (LEDs). I'd like the under cabinet light to serve as accent and task lighting. It will be on a dimmer, and likely used in conjunction with the overhead lights for tasks. I can't find much on recommended brightness (lumens) for this, only some cryptic posts on forums noting that Lumens is a critical deciding factor but no mention of recommended amount,

Lighting will go under ~9 ft of cabinetry spread across 2 walls, and broken up by range and sink (18", 24" & 66" runs).

Any recommendations for Lumens per foot?

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Comments (4)

PRO
Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC
6 years ago
I've never had a client complain that their undercab lights were too bright - go 400 to 500 or higher, but look for a dimmable system so you can turn them down for a dinner party. And be careful with the brand you select. If you go with the cheap ones from Amazon, they produce a green tint to the light. A better brad like WAC has a much whiter light, a better cri, and a lower failure rate. Tresco is another brand - they offer the widest variety in selection, color, lumens, and mounting options. As you plan the system, make sure you can get to everything and replace components if needed. The transformers are the first thing to go, but the leds do have a failure rate as well.
meganwarfield thanked Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
First what is the other lighting in the kitchen. I like a 5000k LED for my kitchen because I think it best imitates bright sunlight and that is waht I like for task lighting . You do not want to mix LEDs with incandecsent lighting at all.
meganwarfield thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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meganwarfield
Original Author
6 years ago
Edmund-thanks for the recommendation! I will look for something on the higher end. How quickly do things like the transformers typically go? Ours will be installed in the upper corner of one of the cabinets. I also assume I can reattach the cuttable lighting in various places (e.g. a 11ft roll should be sufficient for my 3 locations)

Patricia-we typically use 2700-3000k lighting throughout the house- tried 5000k once and hated it. That said all high hat's will be replaced with new LED units on a dimmer. We will have 7-8 high hats in the 16'x18' kitchen plus over island dimmable lighting and an over sink pendant.
PRO
Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC
6 years ago
I have yet to have a WAC transformer fail (have used them for about 6 years now). I've seen other brands from local electric stores fail within a few months. As far as cut ability - that varies on the brand. The WAC tape light is actually a 12" or 2" strip that you plug into the next strip or supply wire - so not cut-able. But they are really nice....

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