Under Cabinet Lighting - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sunedog · #1 03-23-2008, 08:25 PM

Any lighting designers out there?

I'm looking for a suggestion and source for good under cabinet lighting. I started with low profile flourescents years ago (and always hated the hum and color), then switched to halogens a couple of years ago. The halogens are cheap Chinese products from the Lowes. They are bright, but I go through bulbs (@ $4.99 each) like there's no tomorrow. (And I'm careful to always wear gloves while handling the bulbs so skin oil is not the root cause of frequent bulb failure.) And the puck fixtures are fragile. I've replaced the fixtures twice and I still couldn't keep them working.

Today I pulled out the pucks and installed 120 V LED rope light. I have to say I'm very disappointed with the light output. They are OK for accent lighting, but they can't hold a (foot) candle to the halogens in terms of brightness. These will not work for task lighting.

I would be happy with halogen pucks if I could find good quality versions and if the bulbs lasted a year or so each.

tankdriver · #2 03-23-2008, 08:41 PM

We use the puck lights at the cabinet shop I work at. I'll ask tomorrow where they get them. As for fragility, we install them in false floors, and I haven't heard of any complaints with them.

Medmech · #3 03-23-2008, 08:51 PM

They burn out quickly because of the vibration of opening and closing cabinet doors. Compact fluorescent bulbs will work best.

not kidding.

KarTek · #4 03-23-2008, 08:57 PM

I just finished re-building the entire kitchen and I'm using the following:

For lighting the island. Halogen, 35 watts per element. Lasted 2 years so far...

For counter task lighting. Compact flourescents in eyeball fixtures. Not as bright as I would like but not too bad either. 20 watts each.

I'm also using this electronic flourescent for accent lighting but I think it would make the best under cabinet fixture. It's 27 watts and it's dead quiet.

All of it came from Lowes or Home Depot...

Medmech · #5 03-23-2008, 09:12 PM

Key words here "under cabinet"

t walgamuth · #6 03-25-2008, 05:41 PM

I like the spot bulbs either in recessed cans or in trac lighting at the ceiling line focused on the edge of the counter top.

I think some line lighting under the cabinets would be nice, but I usually don't use it.

Tom W

cmac2012 · #7 03-25-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

I just finished re-building the entire kitchen and I'm using the following:

I'm also using this electronic flourescent for accent lighting but I think it would make the best under cabinet fixture. It's 27 watts and it's dead quiet.

All of it came from Lowes or Home Depot...

Hey, nice cabinets and trim. Are the cabinets Home Depot issue?

KarTek · #8 03-26-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Hey, nice cabinets and trim. Are the cabinets Home Depot issue?

Hi, thanks,

I've been working on the kitchen for over 2 years now... The cabinets are actually from Lowe's. They're made by Craft Made or something like that. After I bought and installed them, I actually found out that they are not too well regarded in the professional industry. I opted for small but significant details like plywood ends as opposed to vinyl wood looking particle board and that made a big difference in how they turned out. I also took a great deal of time inspecting, fitting and adjusting the doors and hardware and I think it goes a long way towards a professional look.

I ended up sending a few of them back because of blemishes or glue spills. Our sales rep at Lowe's was always happy to re-order new pieces at no cost.

Overall, I'm happy with the results.

Matt SD300 · #9 03-25-2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

I just finished re-building the entire kitchen and I'm using the following:

For lighting the island. Halogen, 35 watts per element. Lasted 2 years so far...

For counter task lighting. Compact flourescents in eyeball fixtures. Not as bright as I would like but not too bad either. 20 watts each.

I'm also using this electronic flourescent for accent lighting but I think it would make the best under cabinet fixture. It's 27 watts and it's dead quiet.

All of it came from Lowes or Home Depot...

Dude...Thats Sweeeet...........

wbrian63 · #10 03-26-2008, 09:59 AM

look at Kichler undercabinet lights. Xenon bulbs - about 1" thick, available in a variety of lengths with custom interconnect cables allowing you to daisy-chain the lights together.

Line voltage - fully dimmable with standard dimmers.

I've had them in my kitchen for over 7 years - have yet to replace a single bulb.

Also have installed them in other kitchens - same great results.

Solid product - available on-line at a variety of etailers.

KarTek · #11 03-23-2008, 09:26 PM

I was just suggesting alternatives to light the same area as "under cabinet"...

rwthomas1 · #12 03-23-2008, 09:44 PM

I pretty much specialize in installing kitchens. I don't care for the puck style in line or low voltage. Pucks tend to throw a crescent shaped light pattern on the backsplash wall. Don't like fluorescent as its too blue. The best light is known as a strip light. Looks like a rectangular box with lengthwise lens. Operate on line voltage and come in standard lengths, 10", 15", etc. They are made in halogen which is a nice light color but the fixtures get quite hot. Sometimes hot enough to warm the contents in the cabinetry its attached to. I recommend the same style lighting with Xenon bulbs. Much much cooler operation. They usually have a high and low output setting. I don't care for Home Creepo or Lowes product for this stuff. Try a real electrical supply shop. The quality will be better. RT

tankdriver · #13 03-23-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwthomas1

I recommend the same style lighting with Xenon bulbs. Much much cooler operation. They usually have a high and low output setting. I don't care for Home Creepo or Lowes product for this stuff. Try a real electrical supply shop. The quality will be better. RT

They are big though. Much harder to hide, even with a false floor.

Medmech · #14 03-23-2008, 10:20 PM

If you want longevity go with LED pucks.

123c · #15 03-23-2008, 10:45 PM

Working in the lighting department at Lowe's, I can say there are a few fixtures I would stay away from, after seeing lots of them come back, or after putting one together. The puck lights I have heard no complaints about, although the vendor has changed recently on them, so they are constructed differently. Certain fixtures tend to blow through bulbs faster than others as well. I know some fixtures, the bulbs are harder to find as well...