Under cabinet lighting is important to consider in your home renovation or construction because it provides terrific task light. It also highlights decor, and provides safe night lights.
We will be looking at the latest LED strips (some very different ones) as well as LED tape. First a bit about LED.
LED Lighting
Light emitting diodes (LED) is the most energy efficient type of lighting. A typical LED bulb lasts 30,000-50,000 hours. Running two hours a day will yield a life of 15-25 years. Kitchen lights are on many hours a day, but LED will last 20 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
LED is also way more efficient with a 5 watt LED roughly equivalent to a 35 watt bi-pin halogen bulb.
So between not buying expensive bulbs and cost savings, LED is by far you best choice.
LED Under Cabinet Strips
LED strips will have the transformer built in, with a solid casing housing the LED’s often covered with a lens. It’s simple to change from an existing fluorescent or halogen, as the wiring is the same.
Our newest and most favorite to date is the American Lighting LED-3 Complete. The strip has a toggle switch allowing you to change the color temperature from a warm white to a cool white.
Here’s the same space with a classic white subway tile
(See more about LED Strips in our free buying guide)
Pretty cool, right? The warm tone compliments natural or earth tones, while the cooler is perfect for the popular gray and white kitchens. You can choose the Kelvin temperature yourself.
Pricing on these is just a bit more expensive than a regular LED strip, and 8” is $63.00, and the longest at 32” is $127.00.
With this system, you can never be disappointed with the color of the light.
LED Tape
This product is very cool. At only 1/8” high, a trim or light rail on the bottom of the cabinet isn’t needed. It’s perfect for a contemporary kitchen or for lighting the interior of glass front cabinets.
(See more about LED Tape in our free buying guide)
The product runs on a transformer, which can be hidden in a cabinet, closet or in a basement below. It can be cut to length, so it is made to fit in every cabinet. There are channels available as well to place the tape into.
This will help achieve a clean unbroken line of light.
LED tape is also available in colors. A controller can be set to change slowly from red to blue to green, or all one color as shown in this kitchen.
As you can see, this product has a lot of possibilities, and cost is not terrible. A 16 foot roll is $350.00, or a 3 foot section is $80.00. Transformers run around $170.00.
Tape is an easy, inexpensive solution. Buy it in high output for better illumination. It is possible for the diodes, the bulbs themselves, to reflect on more honed marble, so be aware.
Which Should You Buy?
Overall, if you are changing existing lights, the strips are easiest to change and electrician cost will be much lower. If it’s a new kitchen, the tape is slimmer, less noticeable and completely customizable.
Of these two, the Kelvin switch is an interesting option especially for darker or more unique surfaces. Strips are better on more honed surfaces as well, because they are non-reflective.
Additional Resources
Download the Yale Under Cabinet Lighting Buying Guide covering all aspects of home improvement from appliances to recessed lighting with insider buying tips, specs and features. Over 180,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
Related Articles
- Best Under Cabinet Lighting 2015
- How to Buy and Install LED Tape
- LED Tape vs. Legrand Under Cabinet Lighting
Image Credit: Instructables
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A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
