Downlights for dummies <- Help!

MJ · Jan 21, 2008 6:19 pm

Hi,

I'm are currently looking at lighting and I'm a bit confused about all the lighting options.

I want downlights in the living and hall areas of the house.

Can someone explain or point to a "dumbies guide" to get me started before talking to people at shops etc.

Questions I have.

What type of downlights are available currently?

How many per sq/meter? I've seen 1 per 3sqm or 1 per 4sqm as a quoted number.

Are there some that are slow to get bright? Are these CFL? What are bright straight away for use in rooms that you might want to visit and leave quickly.

Dimmers. What is all the fuss about this. Can CFL have dimmers? Halogen is the other type from what I understand.

12 and 240V - Which is best?

11Watts...onwards. What are the options here.

Directional/Task compared to "just light" for living rooms. What downlights fit the job better.

Lots of questions, hopefully there are some answers out there.

Thanks,

MJ

bec · Jan 21, 2008 7:17 pm

ack downlights! is a confusing thing for sure!!

some points especially cfl with dimmers are discussed in the downlight
thread underneath this one, start at the end of the thread and work backwards to save time

jury still out re cfls, mainly cos of initial cost (though savings with time!)
but some concerned bout light

the lighting shop can advise how many dlights per space.

_Al_ · Jan 22, 2008 8:47 am

In my opinion, downlights are good for a hallway, absolute crap for a living area.
Because the light is directed almost straight down, you don't get an even light through living areas, so if you want to read etc you need to park under a light....and it will no doubt be too bright.

Of course you can just put more in for more light. But do you really want 12 downlights in a room (@600W) just so you can read?

Use them to hilight something......a particular part of a benchtop where you prepare, near a doorway to light it, that sort of thing

Hope this helps....and doesn't annoy too many people who love downlights :wink:

MJ · Jan 22, 2008 11:45 am

Thanks _Al_, I like your opinion. That is the main concern I have with downlights and the whole reading thing in the living areas.

As I've been looking more and more I've seen some very nice looking lights instead of the standard/basic battern lights.

I'm still out on if I'll go downlights in the living areas due to this reason. I also agree with you that they look good in the halls, kitchen etc, to highlight.

Thanks.

MJ