Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
gigibozo

Basic lesson in under cabinet lighting? Recommendations?

Susan Phillips
11 years ago

Can anyone give me a lesson in under cabinet lighting? Any recommendations? Tips? I don't have it in my current 20-plus year kitchen, so I am clueless.

Thanks

Comments (24)

  • a2gemini
    11 years ago

    There is a lot of info on the lighting forum.
    I did quite a bit of research on the topic but also worked with the local lighting store, Sparky, and the GC.
    Even so, I made a few goobers.
    I thought I wanted 5 inch cans and bulbs but really wanted the trim kits - the 5 inch cans limited my options but worked out in the end.

    I did put GMLighting LARC LED light bars under the cabinets. I originally had them positioned at the front but had some shadows, so Sparky moved them back an inch.

    They are on dimmers - the LED lights are relatively expensive but the transformer to run these was also expensive.

    We are planning 20 more years in this house, so felt the ROI was worth it.

    Now you can see them


    Now you can't - I do recommend the lower trim board if you want them to be "invisible"

  • MsMaryMac23
    11 years ago

    Just had undercab lighting installed this morning! So at this point, can't tell you what they look like at night :) But did want to give you an idea of what pricing would be. I love the GW forum, but lots of times, I wish fellow GWer's would give us pricing so we know what to compare it with, so that we can determine if we are getting a fair price. It obviously differs from region to region. I am in Orange County, CA and I paid an electrician $300 for LED lights with dimmer.

  • MsMaryMac23
    11 years ago

    Sorry, I still haven't figured out how to post several pictures at once. Here is what the LED light strip looks like. It is super narrow and thin, so you can't see it at all.

  • gwlolo
    11 years ago

    I am doing CSL eco under cabinet light. Super bright. Nice warm color (not blue at all but not yellow either). Does not get hot. Much better light spread than puck lights. Dimmable. Very thin profile. Mounted towards the front of the cabinet pointing back.. so the light is on the counter and backsplash.

  • laughablemoments
    11 years ago

    So, here's a question to go along with this, what's the difference between the LED Christmas style lights and the LED under cab lights and the LED rope lights? I'm being serious here, I'd really like to know. I'm probably more clueless in this area than the OP, and hope I'm not veering too far off topic.

  • Iowacommute
    11 years ago

    Laughable the Xmas and rope lights just seem to have the diodes further apart. That's what I gather from looking at pictures anyway. I'm not a fan of 'light-shadow-light' patten on the counter.

    There is good info on the lighting forum but boy is it technical.

  • lotsapatience
    11 years ago

    Look into Maxlite. I really liked the quality of light. We went with the 8.6 watt version (though it says 10w on the package.) I think it has 33 diodes per foot and each light bar is 12" long and are daisy-chainable. They are expensive but self contained and easy to install if you have 120v available. They are dimmable, but only with an equally expensive dimmer by Lutron. You can check their website for the "plug and play" light bars and buy on line wherever you can get a good deal. Expect to pay around $60 per 12", but they are self contained, powerful, dimmable and you won't need anything additional except maybe power cords. There are a couple version so make sure you are purchasing the one you want.

  • acheavacci
    11 years ago

    MrMaryMac23 - Thank you for the information. The lighting is lovely. Did you have these installed after you installed the backsplash? I am undecided on undercabinet lights, is it very hard to install after the cabinets, counters and backsplash are installed?

  • kgolby
    11 years ago

    That's seems to be a very reasonable price, MsMaryMac. I received a quote for 10 linear feet of LED ribbon light plus installation & dimmer $660. Don't know which brand LED lights they use. I can't get my husband to say yes but sounds like I need to get some more quotes. I'm in NE Florida.

  • EATREALFOOD
    11 years ago

    I have Philips eW Profile Powercore direct wire(the transformer is built in) UCL light bars. I really like the light output and would buy them again.
    You can dim them but I didn't bother since I like the light and my pendants are on dimmers.
    Send your details to Farralane's and get a quote.
    The box you see is the wiring compartment. The installation is really simple for your electrician.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Philips LED

  • EATREALFOOD
    11 years ago

    If I remember correctly the lights and wiring boxes, I needed 2, and connector/jump cable cost about $650 for 16 ft. not including install.

  • MsMaryMac23
    11 years ago

    I had the lighting installed after the cabinet and backsplash installation. It was something that I didn't think about until AFTER the fact. But it was a pretty easy process that took roughly 2 hrs. He had to drill small holes between the cabinets and ran a wire inside the lining of cabinet. I didn't have to do any drywall repairs. Which probably adds to the overall costs.

    Kgolby - just measured mine and it's about 8 feet. They charged $30 for the dimmer.

  • SparklingWater
    11 years ago

    eatrealfood, so your Philips Profile Powercore rest on the bottom of your face frame cabinet at 18" above countertop? I read last night the height of the Powercore is 1.7 inches in height and width/diameter 0.88".

    I'm researching the 18" from range surface top to adjacent cabinet before ordering my cabinets, and it seems the Philips Powercore fits this without any additional light bar.

    I'd appreciate any feedback on this, as direct wire Philips Powercore ucl is definitely being considered for multiple reasons. Thanks.

  • EATREALFOOD
    11 years ago

    Here's a front view photo. Measure the space you have underneath in front of your cabinet, they should fit. Also mount at the front for the best task lighting.
    You can't see the lights from the front. I can see them from the adjacent sitting room open to the kitchen but if they are off it doesn't bother me. I haven't bothered to order a light rail, since the dealer & I are not speaking.
    Have you read davidtay's UCL lighting threads ? These lights are a really nice option for direct wire, dimmable, LED bars. I do not like LED strips at all. The ones the electrician showed me were so dim and I couldn't figure out the material charge from the estimates so I ordered my own lights and paid for labor. The install is easy, if you are handy you can do it yourself. Color Kinetics has the installation guide on their website I think.

  • SparklingWater
    11 years ago

    Thanks, eatrealfood. Face frame cabinets should allow them, but frameless not so much without a significant light rail. I haven't ordered my cabinets yet as I'm working through the space.

  • TxMarti
    11 years ago

    MsMaryMac23, I'd like to know more about yours as well. What brand are they? And how are they installed, direct wire or plug in? If direct wired, how did they do that after everything was finished?

  • a2gemini
    11 years ago

    MsMary - those look pretty cool!

  • SparklingWater
    11 years ago

    Your entire kitchen looks very nice MsMaryMac. Love your backsplash and granite-they highlight the rich tones of your cabinetry. I'm glad you were able to find the right under counter lighting and thank you for giving the general price. I live on the US east coast and it seems ucl is fairly costly. Wish I was more of a DIY and comfortable around electricity.

    Thanks for your post and I hope discussion of light rails wasn't too off topic, Gigibozo.

  • Charlene64
    10 years ago

    Here is a picture of my under cabinet lighting with no other lights on. I used Revolt Ecco Link lightbars (LED) by Core Lighting. You can see them at Core Lighting's website. I am very happy with them. They are very small and thin light bars. The company also makes LED tapes.
    I had these installed before the back splash was installed so that all the wires are hidden in the wall.
    Nora Lighting makes a similar product, but I went with Revolt because it was considerably less expensive.
    I put mine at the front of the cabinet and mounted flat. They can be angled to light the back splash but I wanted the light on the counter top.
    If you go to a local lighting store, they should have displays so you can see how they look. Mine did!

  • purrus
    10 years ago

    Super helpful thread. I ordered ucl but I don't know anything about what our cabinet people use. I am also concerned that the balances might get in the way of my stand mixer -a professional kitchenaid- fitting between the counter and the uppers.

    Gorgeous pics from you all too. Lots to think about...

  • sumac
    10 years ago

    I just ran across these yesterday. I don't own them yet, but am quite sure this is what I will use.
    You can go to inspired led website and see more options. There are others on amazon as well.
    What really sold me was the overwhelming positive reviews and the easy do it yourself installation.

    Here is a link that might be useful: undercabinet lites

  • muskokascp
    10 years ago

    MsMary - your UCL looks great and I need to consider installing after the fact too. Can you give us any more info on the brand and how it is wired?

  • powerpuff
    10 years ago

    eatrealfood - I'm probably going with the Philips eW Profile Powercore and I'm glad I saw your posts because I was going to order from another online store if I hadn't found that Farralane was cheaper. I was wondering, how long did it take for Farralane to get back to you with a quote?