Phantom Lighting System

Many home builders install rope lights for kitchen under cabinet lighting whenever a cost effective, indirect lighting source is needed in the kitchen. Generally speaking, this light is adequate for complimentary illumination of small, simple kitchens, but it does not provide the type of high-end low voltage lighting or lighting control necessary to light today’s more sophisticated, larger kitchen frequently found in a custom home. Most rope lights do not feature the specification grade required to truly optimize color rendering and light distribution over counter tops. Consequently, they not only burn out more quickly than linear lighting sources, in larger kitchens, they often create striations and accentuate wall variances, reflecting an uneven distribution of light.

Installing linear lighting strips under kitchen cabinets will correct this problem, provided that the fixture used resides under the front end of the cabinet and directs the forward throw light back and away from the eyes. This creates reflection off both the surface of the posterior wall beneath the cabinet and the surface of the counter top itself. When the under cabinet lights or inside cabinet lights installed are also dimmable, and the correct lamps are fitted to the fixture, the reflection diffuses as a “wash” of light that evenly covers visible surfaces without creating “white spots” or glare.

It is very important to consider overall aesthetic when replacing rope lights or fluorescent under cabinet lights and installing task lights in your kitchen. Larger linear light strips may be clearly visible to people seated at a nearby table who are looking into the kitchen from an angle. Install under cabinet lights in these places that will seamlessly blend into the under surface of the cabinet, or even better, completely hide themselves from open view.

Lamping options should be chosen next, and should be oriented toward complimenting the color and texture of the kitchen counter top. Custom kitchens in today’s larger homes frequently have marble or granite countertops, both of which can be enhanced with a near 3-dimensional appearance when illuminated with a linear light source installed underneath kitchen cabinets. The choice of lamps that you fit to these fixtures will depend upon the color of the cabinet itself. Cooler colors like white and off white look much better under an incandescent undercabinet kitchen light installed with a dimmable control. Phantom linear strips are ideal for this form of kitchen under cabinet lighting because feature smaller, concealed transformers that allow for end users to set the light at whatever level necessary.

Likewise, darker counter tops such as deep red granites and dark blue marble/white finishes look superb under a linear light source that produces a slightly warmer colour temperature. If the counter top you are lighting features dark reds or blue, or an almost “purple” look to the coloring, install kitchen fixtures that are fitted with xenon under cabinet lighting. This will generate a luxurious, slightly golden aura of light that gently penetrates the lighter colored areas of granite and marble and enriches the darker swirls of blue and deep red with an ornate touch.

Although both xenon and incandescent light sources consume a great deal of electricity, this can be offset by using Phantom low voltage lighting strips that minimize electrical consumption. Further savings can be generated by investing now in LED under cabinet kitchen lights. As new legislation requires that incandescent technology be replaced no later than 2010, it might be best to invest now instead of later in the world’s newest and most promising source of LED energy saving lighting or environmentally friendly LED custom cabinet lights.

Call a Phantom Agent for more information on all of these options. We invite you to call toll free 800-863-1184 to request literature online or visit our lighting blog to learn more about Phantom custom low voltage lighting products.

Our lighting manufacturing facility is located in Houston, Texas with professional lighting sales agents located throughout the United States that enable us to service all of Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America and the United States including Washington DC, Nashville Tennessee, Las Vegas Nevada. Portland Oregon, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Tucson Arizona, Los Angeles California, Atlanta Georgia, Dallas Texas and Sacramento California.

What is the most popular use for xenon linear lights?
The most popular use for these high-end fixtures is under cabinet lighting. Xenon’s ability to render both cool and warm colors equally well makes it ideal for lighting surfaces with more than complex color patterns. Incandescent lighting also has a high CRI (color rendering index) when it comes to lighting cool colors such as white or off white counter tops. However, for the deep blues and reds commonly seen in today’s marble and granite counter tops, a more robust source of lighting like that produced by xenon festoons is preferable. Both granite and marble are hard composite stones with multiple layers of vibrantly colored minerals embedded in their substance. Xenon linear strip lights produce light bright enough to clearly illuminate the many subtle shades and colors in the stone while at the same time adding something of a three-dimensional look to the counter top. By extending the “depth” of the stone’s surface, reflective glare is minimized, creating a more refined look appropriate to today’s larger, more elaborate custom kitchen and bathroom decor.

What do I need to look for when selecting fixtures?
It is important to keep certain considerations in mind when choosing xenon linear light fixtures. For one, find a fixture that offers not only advanced metal glare shielding, but also operates on low voltage with user-friendly dimmer controls. Especially when it comes to display cabinet lighting, dimmers are essential to adjusting the lighting levels in congruent balance with overhead kitchen lighting. Different occasions may call for different levels of light, and it will be necessary to turn the lights up and down to set the mood for different events and maintain to maintain symmetry and a sense of balanced aesthetic in the room.

But aren’t xenon linear light strips more expensive than fluorescent and incandescent lights?
Only in terms of front-end purchase cost. The return on investment they offer far outweighs the initial expenditure.

Are xenon linear lights only used for cabinet and under cabinet lighting?
Not necessarily.

While many manufacturers design xenon linear lights specifically for in cabinet and under cabinet lighting, Phantom strip lights are design for a multiplicity of applications and are capable of producing equally superior results in both commercial and residential applications. Phantom low voltage festoon lamps feature a special, patented design that conserves wattage and maximizes lumens output. This means they produce more light and consume less power, making them particularly cost effective for any commercial client on a budget.

The golden, ambient quality of xenon lighting works well to accentuate the rich colors of specialty fabric, fine jewelry, and even antique artifacts and rare documents in museum and public library displays.

On the home front, Phantom linear xenon festoons are a favorite choice among antique collectors with custom curio cabinets and ornate wooden display cases. They also make excellent bookshelf lights for the collector of special edition hardbacks and out of print books.

Phantom strip lights are designed as low-profile fixtures that blend so well into their surroundings that they are nearly invisible. For decorative and functional lighting needs, their unobtrusive presence allows for greater freedom of design, and their patented system of metal glare shields, wireless power transmission, and their fully dimmable power sourcing allow for any setting to be quickly made without risk of shock or damage to equipment.

Click here to request product literature, or click here to locate a sales representative in your area to choose which model will best meet your design requirements. We also invite you to visit our informative lighting blog. Contact us toll free at 800-863-1184.