Varieties of spotlights and rules for their selection

On sale there are different types of spotlights. The products are different from traditional chandeliers and wall lamps, they are used as supplementary or decorative lighting, or as the main source of light.

Spot lights in the modern interior.

What kinds are there

Lighting fixtures are divided according to several characteristics, it is not difficult to understand the features. It is important to determine the place of installation, to think about what functions the equipment should perform. Products differ according to their purpose:

1. Equipment for the premises. There are many types, the main differences in design and construction.
2. Models for facades and outdoor structures. Resistant to temperature fluctuations, have a body protected from moisture.
3. Fixtures for swimming pools and rooms with high humidity. Waterproof, impact-resistant.

Pool lighting

According to the method of installation, there are four types:

1. Recessed.
2. Overhead.
3. Semi Overhead.
4. Suspended.

By design, spotlights are divided into the following groups:

1. Stationary. Illuminate only a small space, to which the diffuser is directed.
2. Rotatable. Allows you to adjust the flow of light.
3. Swivel-retractable. Provide a wider range of illumination.
4. Gimbal. Composed of several separate elements.
5. Spot - a swiveling version in the body.
6. Downlight - quite a large lamp with a diffusing plafond.

Luminaires also differ in the type of lamps. A more detailed description is in the next section. Before choosing spotlights, you need to study the information, so as not to miss important nuances.

Stationary lamp without adjusting the direction of light.

Important! Do not save on quality and buy the cheapest models, because they do not last long and are made of nondurable materials.

Classification by basic parameters

Three criteria are most important - the type of lamp used, design and method of installation. But it is necessary to consider beforehand:

1. Location. In different rooms of the apartment to the spotlights have different requirements. For example, in the bathroom, bathroom and loggia should use moisture-resistant models, for living rooms any will do.
2. Design. Lighting equipment should fit into the interior and be combined with other elements of the situation. Often spot models are used for highlighting a separate part of the room, arranging accents, lighting the working area in the kitchen or in the room.
3. Purposes of application. Spot lights serve as additional or main lighting equipment. It is necessary to correctly calculate their quantity to provide a normal quality of illumination.

Spot lights often complement the chandelier.

Once the main points are determined, you can choose the type of equipment. It is worth considering the type of surfaces on which the lights will be mounted. This determines the method of installation.

By type of radiating element

There are several options, each with its own pros and cons. It is better to choose not by price, but by durability and quality of lighting. The main types:

1. Incandescent bulbs. Traditional solution, is not distinguished by the quality of lighting, usually the resource is about 1000 hours. Power consumption of this option is high, during operation, the lamp and the surfaces near it are strongly heated. The size of the bulbs is large, so the equipment is not well suited for narrow cavities.
2. Halogen lamps - the most common solution for spotlights. They give a comfortable for vision, bright light due to the inert gas pumped into the bulb and glow when electricity is supplied. Power consumption is many times lower, and the service life is 3 to 4 thousand hours. Lamps are available in different designs, they are about half the size of standard bulbs. They are much less heated, but still do not touch the lamp.
3. LED bulbs use half as much electricity as halogen bulbs and 5-10 times less than incandescent bulbs. Usually several LEDs are combined in the design, which gives a bright light. In this case, the equipment is compact, the life is usually at least 5 years in normal mode. Operating bulbs do not heat up much. It is worth remembering that for the normal operation of the lamp, the design must have a block that converts alternating current into direct current.

LED models often have backlighting on the perimeter.

Important! When using LEDs, you can choose not only the brightness, but also the color temperature. For some rooms is suitable warm light, for others - a cool.

Usually light bulbs are included with the lamp. But they are often of low quality, so it is better to check them and, if necessary, additionally buy lamps with the right indicators.

We recommend that you look at: Main types of spotlights

How they are mounted

Before installing a spotlight, it is necessary to connect electricity and prepare a place for installation. There are four basic options:

1. Overhead. Put on concrete wooden and other surfaces, where it is impossible to make a niche for the equipment or if this option is chosen for installation. Usually have an attractive housing. Fastening to the surface is made at the expense of the bracket or mounting plate. The dimensions are selected for the room. There are options for both the ceiling, and for the walls, if you want to highlight part of the interior.
2. Recessed. Suitable for stretch ceilings, plasterboard, rack and other structures if there is a space of 5 cm or more between them and the ceiling slab. In this case it is convenient to lay the wiring. Difficulty can cause the cutting of a hole of the desired configuration. Mount the recessed version is simple, as there are latches.
   Stylish pendant lamp.
3. Pendant models look stylish, suitable for kitchens, living rooms and other rooms where you need to illuminate a separate area. They can be mounted on any type of surface, the main thing is that the ceiling must be high enough to install such a lamp. Cable going from base to plafond has decorative braid.
4. Semi Overhead combine overhead and recessed versions. Part of the body is hidden in a recess, some protrudes above the surface. Suitable for ceilings with a small niche, they are also often used in furniture.

Read also

Description of installation of spotlights in the ceiling of gypsum plasterboard

 

Important! In some models of pendant lights, the wire is made in the form of a spiral , to change the height.

You can use different variants, the main thing is to choose models in the same style, so that they fit together.

A variant of combined lighting

By design

There are several options, varieties have advantages and disadvantages. When choosing is worth considering the conditions of use and the need to adjust the light. They are available:

1. Static. They have a simple design, can be both recessed and overhead or semi-overhead. Suitable for places where there is no need to change the light flux.
2. Swivel .. These can be spotlights, in which the position of the plafond inside the body changes, and overhead models, which can be rotated in any direction. The more adjustments - the more complex the design and the higher the price. The main thing is that the lamp is fixed in the right position and does not get knocked down over time.
3. Gimbal. Usually consist of several modules, which are arranged in a line or in two rows. Each of the elements is regulated separately, which allows you to illuminate different places in the room.
4. Tracked. On the ceiling or wall is mounted track - a special tire, on which put the spot lights. A convenient solution if you need to move the lamps in different places.
   Pendant lights are also used in track constructions.
5. Downlight. This is the name of the ultra-slim lights, which fit into small niches and give a soft diffused light within a radius of a few meters. They come in different sizes, depending on the area to be illuminated.

Important! Buying a lamp with movable elements, check the reliability and quality of the assembly.

Read also

What are spotlights - classification of varieties

 

How to choose spotlights for suspended ceilings

This type of ceilings is common, it is easy to select spotlights for it. It is necessary to take into account, in what room will be installed lighting equipment:

1. For narrow hallways, corridors and loggias, you can use the option under consideration as the main lighting. It is possible to arrange in two rows to visually expand the room.
2. In the kitchen, you can illuminate the work or dining area with spotlights or use them as the main light.
3. For bedrooms, it is better to choose light fixtures with soft, muted light. They can complement the main chandelier, or be located in places for reading, near the mirror.
4. In bathrooms and bathrooms use only moisture-resistant models. There is always a marking on the packaging.
5. In apartments-studios, halls and multifunctional rooms with the help of spotlights can highlight different zones and provide bright light where it is necessary.

Backlighting the seating area in the living room.

What criteria to pay attention to

When buying light fixtures for a stretch ceiling has its own specifics, so it is better to understand the features, so as not to make mistakes:

1. Use models with a round body, as the holes in the canvas are made round in shape. At the cutout put a ring, the light must cover it, so that the ceiling looks neat.
2. Take into account the distance from the canvas to the ceiling partition. Recessed luminaires need at least 8 cm for normal installation, but there are more compact luminaires. If the space is small, use overhead versions.
3. Do not buy models with incandescent lamps, as they overheat the canvas. It will turn yellow and lose elasticity. The body of the lamp should not heat more than 40 degrees.
4. Color and performance. The equipment should be selected for the ceiling so that it looks perfect on it.

Spot lights as a decoration of the suspended ceiling.

Tip! As an attachment on the light fixture should be a cinch, not a spacer spring.

With the help of spotlights you can improve the lighting in the room or complement it. In some cases, this option is made the main, such a solution is suitable for small rooms. When choosing, consider the method of installation, the features of the room and the power of the equipment.