Light Output
When selecting your LED lighting, you will need to know how much light output you need for your space; this measurement is called lumens. Lumens measure the brightness of a bulb, and traditional bulbs are measured by watts, which is the amount of energy used.
It’s important to know exactly how much light output is needed for your space before you begin purchasing any lighting. First, you’ll need to know the square footage of the area ( length x width in feet) and then use this lighting layout tool to determine what you need to light the space effectively.
Color Temperature
The most popular color temperature options are cool, daylight, and bright light—the lower the color temperature, the closer the lighting to traditional bulbs. Color temperature in light bulbs is measured using kelvins; the lower the kelvins, the more yellow the color.
Here’s a quick guide to popular color temperatures: Incandescent bulbs – 2500K to 3500K; Halogen lamps – 2700K to 3500K; Fluorescent lamps – 2700K to 6500K; LED lights – 2700K to 6500K. For commercial lighting, it’s recommended to use a product measuring around 4000K.
CRI (Color Rendering Index)
CRI refers to a light’s ability to accurately reveal the colors of an item compared to natural light. LED lights have a color rendering index range between 70-95. Commercial lighting in spaces like factories or auto shops requires color accuracy; therefore, the CRI index is recommended to be above 82.
If you’re purchasing a shop light system, the CRI information is located in the product description. The closer to 100, the better the CRI will be – over 90 is considered excellent.
