LED Downlights Are Attractive Fixtures Fit For Any Setting

Downlighting is a popular choice for residential and commercial lighting applications. They’re generally easy to install and look good everywhere. Downlighting is versatile, too, serving well in both general and task lighting roles.

Increasingly, businesses are turning to LED technology for their downlighting needs, and for good reason. LED downlighting can modernize your lighting system, providing an excellent mix of function and aesthetic.

Where Are Downlights Used In Residential and Commercial Properties?

LED downlights aren’t confined to either residential or commercial applications. They work well in both settings and can perform in most lighting-centric roles. Where are you most likely to find them, though?

In the Home

Downlights are a top choice for residential applications and can be found pretty much anywhere in the home. Living rooms, dens, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, closets – downlights perform well in any space. They’re not just location-versatile, either. Residential downlights are also versatile in function. They can provide enough illumination for general lighting purposes, or they can be focused for task or accent lighting applications.

Most residential downlights are recessed, built inside metal housings that are installed inside the ceiling. Recessed fixtures look better, reduce visual clutter and do not emit harsh glare, unlike exposed fixtures.

At the Office

LED downlights are also common in commercial buildings, including offices. Here, recessed downlights can be used for general lighting in smaller offices, though surface-mount fixtures can also perform in the same role.

Recessed downlights are more often used as accent lighting in commercial offices. For example, reception areas and meeting rooms are popular spots for recessed downlights.

In Restaurants, Shops, Museums and More

With their inviting aesthetic, recessed downlights are a strong choice for many businesses. In restaurants, LED downlights can be aimed over tables, bars and entryways to produce comfortable levels of general illumination.

In retail shops, recessed downlights can be used to light up walkways and highlight valuable spots, like product shelving. LED downlights are also effective for task lighting in shops, as they can be used to point out check-out areas, dressing rooms and restrooms.

In museums and galleries, downlights are primarily used for lighting exhibits. Recessed fixtures are a top choice because they do not produce overhead clutter or distract from the exhibit.

Three Reasons to Choose Downlights Powered by LED Technology

Downlights can be powered with different types of lamps or light engines. Today, most new construction utilizes LED lighting technology in their builds, and many organizations are retrofitting their aging downlighting system with LED downlights. Here’s three reasons why:

LED Downlights are Available in Retrofit Designs

LED downlights are retrofittable and can be quickly installed into existing lighting systems. This can greatly reduce the initial time and financial investment. Retrofittable LED downlights are designed for a multitude of fixtures, so check with a lighting expert to determine which downlight is appropriate for your fixture.

LED Downlights are the Most Energy Efficient on the Market

LED’s energy efficiency is what made it an attractive lighting option in the first place. Compared to halogen, for example, LED lighting is nearly 90 percent more efficient. If you’re operating a commercial lighting system, switching to LED could pay for itself quickly.

LED Downlights Last Much Longer Than Other Types of Lamps

Using the magic of modern engineering, LED lighting is built to last much longer than previous lighting technologies. A typical LED downlight will provide at least 50,000 hours of illumination, and some can go beyond that. Compare that lifespan to halogen, which provides about 1,000 hours of light before it requires replacement.

Are All Downlights Recessed?

Most downlights are recessed, but not all of them. In residential settings, recessed downlights are preferred for their superior aesthetics.

In commercial applications, though, it’s not uncommon to see surface-mounted downlights. Surface-mounted downlights provide the same directional beam pattern without the need to disrupt the ceiling. They’re also less expensive than recessed fixtures and require less time to install, both of which appeal to most commercial building owners.

LED Downlights vs. Spotlights: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to get LED downlights and spotlights mixed up. They do some of the same things and look similar, but they’re intended for different purposes. What makes them different?

  • Directionality – Downlights emit downward, which is easy enough to remember. There are some recessed downlights, like gimbals, that can be aimed to an extent, but in general, downlights emit down.
    Spotlights can be aimed with greater precision and are ideal for lighting up something on a wall or something that’s moving around. That’s why you’ll find spotlights in performance and artistic venues. You may also find them in homes, where they provide targeted accent illumination.
  • Placement – Downlights can be surface-mounted, but they are usually recessed inside the ceiling instead of attached to it. This ensures the best possible aesthetic and harmony with the room’s decorative elements. Recessed downlights are far less likely to annoy people with their glare, as they can only emit down.
    Spotlights are never recessed. Instead, they’re mounted to the ceiling or to something suspended from the ceiling. It’s also common to see multiple spotlights mounted to a single track. This does allow individual adjustment for each spotlight, so they can be aimed at multiple items.
  • Beam type – LED downlights throw a single beam that’s aimed downwards. It’s a simple approach that requires zero adjustment once installed.
    Spotlights are a bit more complicated, as they throw several beams that are combined to create a single, sharp pool of illumination. To ensure maximum sharpness, though, the spotlight must be calibrated just right.

Bulb Daddy Offers a Wide Selection of LED Downlights

There are many LED downlights out there – so many that it can be tough to keep track of them all. That’s where Bulb Daddy’s expert lighting team can help. Our professionals have more than 50 years of combined experience in the LED lighting industry, and we can pair your downlighting needs with the optimal downlighting fixture.