Varieties of spotlights and the rules for their selection

Various types of spotlights are on sale. Products differ from traditional chandeliers and wall lamps, they are used as additional or decorative lighting, or as the main source of light.

Spotlights in a modern interior.

What are the types

Lamps are divided according to several criteria, it is not difficult to understand the features. It is important to determine the installation site, to consider what functions the equipment should perform. Products differ in purpose:

1. Equipment for premises. There are many types, the main differences are in design and construction.
2. Models for facades and outdoor structures. Resistant to temperature extremes, have a housing protected from moisture.
3. Lamps for swimming pools and rooms with high humidity. Waterproof, shockproof.

Pool lighting

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

1. Embedded.
2. Overhead.
3. Semi overhead.
4. Suspended.

By design, spotlights are divided into the following groups:

1. Stationary. Illuminate only a small area to which the diffuser is directed.
2. Swivel. Allows you to control the amount of light.
3. Retractable. Provide a wider range of illumination.
4. Cardan. Consists of several separate elements.
5. Spots - a rotary option in the case.
6. Downlight - a fairly large lamp with a diffused ceiling.

Lamps 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 luminaire without light direction adjustment.

Important! You should not save on quality and buy the cheapest models, as they do not last long and are made of short-lived materials.

Classification by main parameters

The most important of all are three criteria - the type of lamp used, the design and method of installation. But first you need to think about:

1. Location. In different rooms of the apartment, different requirements are put forward for spotlights. For example, in a bathroom, a bathroom and a loggia, it is worth using moisture-resistant models, any will do for living rooms.
2. Design. Lighting equipment should fit into the interior and be combined with other elements of the situation. Often point models are used to illuminate a separate part of the room, to place accents, to illuminate the working area in the kitchen or in the room.
3. Purposes of application. Spotlights serve as additional or main lighting equipment. It is necessary to correctly calculate their number in order to ensure the normal quality of lighting.

Spotlights often complement the chandelier.

After the main points are determined, you can select the type of equipment. In this case, it is worth considering the type of surfaces on which the lamps will be mounted. This depends on the installation method.

By type of radiating element

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

1. Incandescent lamps. The traditional solution does not differ in the quality of lighting, usually the resource is about 1000 hours. The power consumption of this option is high, during operation the lamp and the surfaces around it become very hot. The dimensions of the bulbs are large, so the equipment is not well suited for narrow cavities.
2. Halogen lamps are the most common solution for spotlights. They give a comfortable, bright light due to the inert gas pumped into the flask and glowing when electricity is applied. Energy consumption is several times lower, and the service life is from 3 to 4 thousand hours. Lamps are produced in different versions, they are about half the size of standard light bulbs. They heat up much less, but you still shouldn’t touch the lamp.
3. LED lamps consume half as much electricity as halogen lamps and 5-10 times less than incandescent lamps. Usually several LEDs are combined in the design, which gives a bright light. At the same time, the equipment is compact, the service life is usually at least 5 years in normal mode. Light bulbs don't get very hot. It is worth remembering that for the normal operation of the lamp, the design must have a unit that converts alternating current to direct current.

In LED models, there is often a backlight around the perimeter.

Important! When using LEDs, you can choose not only the brightness, but also the color temperature. Warm light is suitable for some rooms, cold light for others.

Bulbs usually come with the fixture. But often they are of poor quality, so it is better to check them and, if necessary, buy additional lamps with the required indicators.

Recommended for viewing: The main types of spotlights

According to the installation method

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

1. Overhead. They are placed on concrete wooden and other surfaces where it is impossible to make a niche for equipment or if such an option is selected for installation. They usually have an attractive body. Fastening to the surface is carried out by means of a bracket or mounting plate. Dimensions are selected according to the room. There are options for both the ceiling and walls, if you need to highlight part of the interior.
2. Embedded. Suitable for stretch ceilings, plasterboard, rack and other structures, if there is a space of 5 cm or more between them and the ceiling. In this case, it is convenient to lay the wiring. Difficulty can be caused by cutting a hole of the desired configuration. Mounting the built-in version is simple, as there are latches.
   Stylish pendant lamp.
3. Suspended models look stylish, suitable for kitchens, living rooms and other rooms where you need to illuminate a separate area. They can be mounted on surfaces of any type, the main thing is that the ceiling has a sufficient height for the installation of such a lamp. The cable going from the base to the ceiling has a decorative braid.
4. Semi overhead combine overhead and built-in options.Part of the body is hidden in a niche, part protrudes above the surface. Suitable for ceilings with a small niche, they are also often used in furniture.

Read also

Description of the installation of spotlights in the ceiling of the plasterboard

 

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

You can use different options, the main thing is to select models in a single style so that they combine with each other.

Combined lighting option

By design

There are several options, varieties have pros and cons. When choosing, it is worth considering the conditions of use and the need to regulate the flow of light. Meet:

1. static. They have a simple design, can be either built-in or overhead or semi-overhead. Suitable for places where you do not need to change the luminous flux.
2. Swivel. These can be spots in which the position of the ceiling inside the case changes, and overhead models that 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 desired position and does not go astray over time.
3. cardan. Usually they consist of several modules, which are arranged in a line or in two rows. Each of the elements is individually adjustable, which allows you to illuminate different places in the room.
4. Track. A track is attached to the ceiling or wall - a special tire on which spotlights are placed. A convenient solution if you need to move the shades to different places.
   In track designs, pendant lights are also used.
5. Downlight. This is the name of ultra-thin lamps that fit in small niches and give soft diffused light within a radius of several meters.There are different sizes depending on the illuminated area.

Important! When buying a lamp with moving parts, check the reliability and build quality.

Read also

What are lamps - classification of varieties

 

How to choose spotlights for stretch ceilings

This type of ceiling is common, it is easy to select spotlights for it. It is necessary to consider in which room the lighting equipment will be installed:

1. For narrow hallways, corridors and loggias, you can use this option as the main lighting. You can arrange in two rows to visually expand the room.
2. In the kitchen, you can illuminate the working or dining area with spotlights or use them as the main light.
3. For bedrooms, it is better to choose lamps with soft, subdued 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 label on the packaging.
5. In studio apartments, halls and multifunctional spaces, spotlights can be used to highlight different areas and provide bright light where you need it.

Illumination of the seating area in the living room.

What criteria to look for

When buying fixtures for a stretch ceiling, there are specifics, so it’s better to deal with the features in order to avoid mistakes:

1. Use models with a round body, as the holes in the canvas are made round. A ring is placed on the cutout, the lamp should cover it so that the ceiling looks neat.
2. Consider the distance from the canvas to the ceiling partition. For normal installation of recessed fixtures, you need at least 8 cm, but there are more compact fixtures.If the space is small, use overhead options.
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 up to more than 40 degrees.
4. Color and performance. Equipment should be selected under the ceiling so that it looks perfect on it.

Spotlights as a decoration of a stretch ceiling.

Advice! As a fixture on the lamp, there should be a compression spring, not a spacer spring.

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