GU10 Halogen, GU10 LED or T8 LED?

[Skimpy Wan]

It has (finally) been decided to go with GU10 downlights, but with LED lamps (this was due to the delays in the plumbing / bathroom above being decided / fitted, as the joists are only 130mm high).

As the kitchens dimensions are 2700m x 3800mm, and I am having to bring the lamps in 850mm from each of the walls beacuse of the joists and pipes etc, how many downlights would people recommend I fit?

I was looking at 2 rows of 3 (length ways obviously) - this giving 850 mm from each of the walls and 1050mm gap between them - but I am not sure whether this spacing will be too little or too much? What distances between downlights do you fit?

 

[Dohnut]

The spacing looks fine. What LED lamps are you using?

 

[telectrix]

It has (finally) been decided to go with GU10 downlights, but with LED lamps (this was due to the delays in the plumbing / bathroom above being decided / fitted, as the joists are only 130mm high).

As the kitchens dimensions are 2700m x 3800mm, and I am having to bring the lamps in 850mm from each of the walls beacuse of the joists and pipes etc, how many downlights would people recommend I fit?

I was looking at 2 rows of 3 (length ways obviously) - this giving 850 mm from each of the walls and 1050mm gap between them - but I am not sure whether this spacing will be too little or too much? What distances between downlights do you fit?

that spacing is not bad. i generally work on 3ft. (due to joists being 18" centres). go for SMD with a stated lumen value of 300+. the colour temp. is a matter of taste. 3000K is warm white, similar to halogens, while around 6000K is daylight, a bit too white and clinical for some.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

I was going to use JJC down lights, but I can't remember what the lamps were (all I can remember was that they're 6W lamps) as it was whatever the wholesalers had in stock.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

that spacing is not bad. i generally work on 3ft. (due to joists being 18" centres). go for SMD with a stated lumen value of 300+. the colour temp. is a matter of taste. 3000K is warm white, similar to halogens, while around 6000K is daylight, a bit too white and clinical for some.

So 1050 rather than 910 (or 3' 5") isn't that far out, but would it be too far out leaving shadows, gaps etc? Alternatively, I could go 2 rows of 4 and have them 700 (2' 3") apart?

As I'm now looking at fitting http://www.ledhut.co.uk/gu10-smd-led-220-lumens-45-watts-equiv-best-internet-price.html lamps (on recommendations from previous threads) will the lighting be sufficient / too much / too little for the room and considering they are 4W bulbs are they bright enough?

A little more worried fitting the lighting with the correct spread, spacing etc as its for my patents (i.e. a retirement home) who are used to a 5' single fluorescent T8 and like "old school" lighting!
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[telectrix]

i'd go with 2 rows of 4, but you'll need to set the spacing according to the timbers. if possible get each light centred between the joists. if you use SMD LEDs, they have a 120 deg. spread.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

The joists run length ways so the spacing of the 3/4 down lights in each row isn't an issue, it's more the placement of the rows. Due to joists and pipe work etc they'd need to be 950-1000 from the walls to be centred in the joists. Given the room is only 2700 wide they'd almost be touching, look crap and cast shadows over the work surfaces! Alternatively, they're above the kitchen units and just as useless. I'm having to place them almost next to the joists as it is (about 50 too spare). Also, the joists are really narrow in the property and only 127 (5") high, but have about an extra 30 (1" 1/4) due to dab and boarding.

 

[Fin170]

I love LEDs but I might as well put this picture up of a modern florescent again as it's here (I've put some in and they're very nice).....which can also be upgraded to LED but not much wrong with high frequency fittings in my opinion

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Looks quite nice (a lot nicer that the standard fitments). Where can you get these and cost etc?

I think I'm swaying towards (well swaying them towards) LED downlights for the look, lighting and cost saving on lower wattage. Plus, the bathroom is directly above the kitchen, so once the floor has been fitted, bathroom fittings have been installed and tiles layer it will be a nightmare to change them later.