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Randall Whitehead, IALD, explains the omnipresent UL designation and what it means for your product offering.
Q.: Randall, what is a UL lighting listing, and why is a label from UL required on light… more
Q: I have a client with 4000K LED tape light on top of his cabinets. I need to make it look like 2700K, but I have never dealt with gels or colored lenses. What would you recommend and how would I… more
Q: Since halogens give off more heat, do they present a fire hazard for lamp shades? Will the halogens make the shades deteriorate faster?
A: Halogens are twice as hot as standard incandescent lamps… more
The Lighting Doctor explains where to hang a bathroom mirror and sconces above a vanity.
The Lighting Doctor explains how pendant lighting fixtures and recessed down lights work together to light a two-story room.
Q:What type of ceiling lights should I use for a 20-foot-high family room that has very little wall space and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace? Right now there are 6-inch recessed cans in the ceiling… more
Q. :
I always enjoy your columns. One of my favorites was a checklist for approaching kitchen lighting design. Do you have a similar checklist you can provide regarding outdoor lighting?
A. :
Oh, … more
Q: I'm dealing with a concrete ceiling in a condominium. If I use LED recessed lighting, do I still have to drop a 6-inch soffit? Someone told me that LED cans take up less space than traditional… more
What's the Best Way to Configure Stairwell Lighting?
Q: Randall, I still see electricians and architects placing recessed cans in the middle of stairways. It is very difficult for homeowners to… more
Q: I can’t find lighting for over my oval dining table. The junction box is 16 inches off the side of the table and can’t be moved because the ceiling is concrete.
A: Yes, you do have a bit of the… more
Indirect lighting and improved recess lighting can fix a poorly lit fireplace.
With mirror lighting, the height and distance between fixtures are more important measurements than how far from the mirror.
Q: When using 4-inch LED recessed lights, what spacing between fixtures would you recommend with an 8-foot ceiling height?
A: What is the room that you are lighting being used for? How is the… more
Q: You’ve mentioned that recessed lights aren’t the most flattering, so is there a balance to shoot for between recessed and ambient? In one of your blogs someone asked you about lighting for a long… more
The Lighting Doctor outlines the pros and cons of using 130V light bulbs.
Q: I am changing the old fluorescent tubes in my kitchen to new recessed LED lights. My original estimate included the installation of 6-inch cans, trim and lights, but now the electrician tells me… more
Q: Just as I understand the concept of color temperature (Kelvin), now CRI is being bandied about as LEDs come into the market. What is it exactly?
A: I am right there with you. From the beginning… more
Q: How important is color temperature in ambient lighting? Should this be a concern if you are using fluorescents or LEDs for your ambient lighting?
A: Frankly, I think color temperature is… more