Color-Selective Lighting: An Overview

There is no reason to doubt that LED technology has already entered our lives, and they are here to stay. The basics of color measurement help you buy the perfect light fixture for your home and exteriors. We have seen in some cases where there are several variations present to meet the color requirements. Shopping for the right LED fixture can be a daunting task when you are presented with different options. First of all, let’s understand what has correlated color temperature (CCT) is?

Led Lights - Color temperature

Correlated color temperature (CCT)

Correlated color temperature is a scientific term that defines how much warm (yellow) or cool (blue) color emits from the light fixture. The unit to measure the temperature is Kelvin (K) and ranges from 1000 K to 10000K. For example, the LED downlights have a color temperature of 3000K to 5000K, and LED floodlights to have 5700K. 

LED Downlights

Color selectable fixtures have LED light sources to present inside them, and the word “selectable” that there are multiple distinct white lights is situated inside the fixture. When you switch on the lights, color selectable LEDs can preset color temperatures from warm to cool. 

Let’s check the color selectable LED floodlights, which has commercial application in large stadiums, sports arenas, college campuses, etc. Again, bright white is an excellent option to choose from.   

The LED downlights are an optimum choice for office interiors as the brightness is focused and concentrated. In addition, they act as an added benefit as they make the atmosphere more productive for the employees to work. 

LED Floodlights

The color temperature influences the appearance and mood of the given space where artificial light fixtures are installed. Warm light is ideal for home interiors, and cooler lights are best for office spaces and meeting rooms. Choosing color selectable light fixtures also offer design flexibility and the ability to control the brightness of the light fixture within multi-functional spaces. 

LED Lights: Warm White vs. Cool White

Choosing the suited color temperature for your interiors is essential. The lights’ correlated color temperature (CCT) creates a perfect atmosphere for the interiors, whether home or office. 

Warm White vs. Cool White vs. Normal White Lights

The color temperature of LED lights is measured in Kelvin (K), which starts from 1500K to 6500K and more. The lower is the Kelvin temperature of the light, the more yellowish it looks. The higher is the Kelvin temperature, the more whitish is the light. 

LED lights offer bountiful advantages such as being functional for more than 100,000 hours and lower maintenance requirements. In addition, they are durable and safe from UV emissions. Choosing the right color temperature enhances the interior decor.

Warm white vs. cool white

Lets us first understand what warm white and what we mean by cool white?

1. Warm White

Warm white is the color temperature next to candlelight. The temperature range starts from 2700K to 3000K, and they are slightly warmer. 

The lights create a more calm and relaxing atmosphere. It can be a place where you can end your hard day’s work and relax, like the bedroom. 

Warm white has a more traditional approach to creating depth for a given space or room. 

LED Grow lights

Warm white is generally recommended for

• Home - Bedroom or living room

• Porch area

• Landscape lights

• LED Grow lights - Lights used for indoor urban farming.

• Wedding 

• Restaurants

2. Cool white

Cool white temperature is mainly suited for areas that require efficient brightness, and you are unsure about the temperature requirements.

The temperature range for the cool white is between 3100K to 6500K. These light fixtures are not harsh for the interiors and make the place more lively and productive.

You can also install dimmers to control the brightness of the lights. They produce much cleared and brighter illumination to a given space. 

• Coffee white is generally recommended for

• Office spaces - 4000K to 5000K

• Large sports venues - 5000K

• LED Parking lot lights 

• Commercial applications (storage bays)

• Large warehouses

The warm white color temperature is a bit more relaxing and calm, and cool white is generally more productive and helps concentrate on a given task. In addition, cool white keeps the brightness to an optimum level and eliminates the chances of dark spots.

Warm White vs. Cool White Lights

It’s all about personal preference. Some people prefer a bright, white light that gives them energy, while others may want something more relaxed and less intense for their home or office space- there are no wrong answers here.