Everyone has their own preferences and choosing the "right" colour temperature is usually very subjective. For example, an environment with "warm" colours (typically reds, yellows and browns) will generally look more appealing and richer under warm lamps while "cool" colours (blues, greens and grays) will look more pleasing and natural under cool lamps. This is not, however, an iron clad rule since the goal with light is to achieve a specific mood.
When talking about white light sources we use the description "warm" and "cool." White light with a yellowish tinge (think of candlelight and fireplaces) is considered "warm." Incandescent lamps produce a warm white colour, while halogen lamps can produce higher colour temperatures ranging from 2 700 K to 4 200 K. Bluish white (think of moonlight on cold snow) is considered "daylight." Fluorescent and LED lamps can produce warm white or daylight (or anywhere in-between) depending on the mix of phosphors used.
It is important to remember that indoor spaces lit to lower light levels will typically look and feel better under warm lamps, while higher light levels are easier to tolerate using cool lighting. A space which receives an abundance of sunlight may seem more natural when cooler lamps are installed since their light is closer to high colour temperature of natural daylight.
COLOUR TEMPERATURES
The colour of light radiated from a fluorescent lamp is determined by the chemical composition of the phosphor coating on the inside wall of the lamp.
Compact fluorescent, linear fluorescent and LED lamps offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to the colour of the light source. Many new colour temperatures have been introduced providing versatility in applications.
Measured in Kelvin, the colours vary from warm for a cozy atmosphere to cold to communicate neatness and efficiency. Look for the right Kelvin colour temperature to create ambiance.
| Warm white 2 700 K Warm white 2 700 K is suitable for your everyday lighting needs. The colour of the light they produce is virtually indistinguishable from that of a traditional soft white incandescent lamp. Warm White 3 000K Warm white 3 000 K are richer in reds and yellows than cool white, therefore making skin tones more flattering. It is often used in general lighting. |
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| Neutral White Neutral white sets a friendly and inviting mood. It is ideal for applications such as family rooms, reception areas, showrooms, restaurants, lobbies and cafeterias. Neutral white CFL and fluorescent lamps typically have a colour temperature of 3 500 K, while neutral white LED lamps have a colour temperature between 4 000 K and 4 200 K. |
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Cool White Cool white CFLs increase the contrast on the page when reading, making them ideal for work areas such as office spaces, public areas and home task lighting or for showcasing merchandise. Cool white CFL and fluorescent lamps typically have a colour temperature of 4 100 K, while cool white LED lamps have a colour temperature of 5 000 K. |
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| Daylight Daylight colour lamps make it feel like it’s sunny inside. Designed to imitate sunlight, they are best suited for indoor indirect lighting. Daylight CFL and fluorescent lamps typically have a colour temperature between 5 000 K and 6 500 K |
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