Lighting is undoubtedly one of the most crucial aspects of a building. But do you know that each room may require a different level of lighting lux?
In this article, you will find information about lighting and lux as well as other things related to both terms. The presence of lighting can be very powerful as long as you understand how it works – and how much intensity of light you have to put in a room.
Lux is a standardized unit to measure the level of light intensity. So, when you are talking about illumination or illuminance then it’s mostly about the lux.
Of course, each room requires different lux levels, depending on the tasks people do in that room. For instance, the lighting you need for reading will be further from the ambiance lighting used for illuminating the entire room.
Thus, by choosing the right lighting lux level, you can create an energy-efficient building and provide excellent illumination.
When trying to understand the brightness of a light bulb, you may run into two different metrics that can be pretty confusing – lux and lumens. Both terms describe brightness in the first place, but they measure different things. Here are things you need to know about lumens vs. lux.
Use lux when…
Long story short, you use lux to measure illuminance or the intensity of light that falls on a surface. The light can come from multiple bulbs and other lighting sources.
The lux measurement can be done using a lux meter tool. Knowing the lux is essential, especially if you want to design a room for specific tasks, such as reading, sewing, drawing, photo sessions, etc.
Without a proper level of lux, it will be impossible to perform those tasks. Lux, on the other hand, also depends on distance. For instance, LED spotlights to have the highest lux reading at the center of the beam. The number decreases as you move farther from the center.
On the other hand, lumens are used for measuring luminous flux. Or, you can put it as a unit to measure the total amount of emitted light from a single lighting source in all directions.
However, using this measurement cannot determine whether lighting is sufficient for a specific task. Also, since lumens are more complex, you need a more sophisticated tool to measure them.
Yet, keep in mind that lumens don’t determine the perceived light quality in the first place – you have to use lux for it.
At this point, you can refer to the standard lux level chart to find out how many lux are needed for each room. For example, you don’t need to install high light levels in a storage room.
However, you need to install bright lighting with a comfy color in a workshop room, considering many detailed tasks need to be done. So, below is merely a guide you can follow to determine how many lux you need for rooms, depending on their purposes.
| 100 lux | This amount is adequate for corridors, stairs, and elevators. Also, 100 lux is sufficient for the warehouse – it’s enough to see your surroundings. |
| 150 lux | It might not be ideal for reading but you can perform simple tasks under 150 lux of lighting. Thus, it’s ideal for restrooms and plant rooms. |
| 200 lux | According to the chart, this amount is the bare minimum for a dining area in a restaurant. Other areas that require 200 lux include lobbies and entrances. |
| 300 lux | This amount is enough for a hall. Also, 300 lux is considered appropriate for reading. |
| 500 lux | Meanwhile, you need to provide 500 lux for retail space. Professionals also agree that this amount is suitable for places where people use computers all day. |
| >500 lux | It’s kind of rare but some tasks where fine detailed work is the main purpose will need something up to 2,000 lux. |
Lighting is more than just helping humans to see their surroundings. Today, lighting is part of the whole design itself. You can even build a specific atmosphere in the room by choosing the right lighting, providing enough lux, and combining those things with colors.
It is not even a secret that lighting affects the mood and how people perceive their surroundings. Thus, it would be best to choose the right lighting for each room in the building.
All you need about lighting is available at Elca. Elca provides quality lighting products for various needs, from residential to commercial settings.
Elca truly understands how lighting affects so many aspects of human life. Thus, this company only wants to deliver innovative products that guarantee client satisfaction.
Feel free to contact Elca’s team for your next project. Since lighting lux is crucial for building an atmosphere in a building, it will be a good step to consult with an experienced yet professional lighting consultant.
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