Surface light vs Downlight light - Lowyat Forum

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The installation of surface light seems to be more easier and it's much cheaper. I can change or replace it myself when it's spoilt. How about downlight?

Let say I plan to install surface light for living room, all bedroom, kitchen areas, dining room, bathroom etc, can surface light produce same cozy feeling like downlight?

What are the other differences?
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QUOTE(goolie @ Jun 29 , 11:11 PM) The installation of surface light seems to be more easier and it's much cheaper. I can change or replace it myself when it's spoilt. How about downlight?

Let say I plan to install surface light for living room, all bedroom, kitchen areas, dining room, bathroom etc, can surface light produce same cozy feeling like downlight?

What are the other differences?
i assume u compare same wattages, lets say 18W vs 18W.. same temperature, either k, k or k.. warmer color might giving u cozy and comfortable at home..

surface is used for no plaster ceiling while downlight need plaster so you would see flat profile with ceiling.. functional wise, both serve same purpose.. unless you compared with eyeball..

in my opinion, if you have plaster ceiling, you could have 3 types of light.. eyeball, downlight and cove light.. all three could serve different purpose..

standard one in market as per what i knew, 18W 6 inch size should be normal one.. dont install too much or else might be too bright.. take note about fan position & shadows angle..
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QUOTE(goolie @ Jun 29 , 11:11 PM) The installation of surface light seems to be more easier and it's much cheaper. I can change or replace it myself when it's spoilt. How about downlight?

Let say I plan to install surface light for living room, all bedroom, kitchen areas, dining room, bathroom etc, can surface light produce same cozy feeling like downlight?

What are the other differences?
Can, its easier to install because no need to worry about plaster ceiling fiberboard dust..

Get those frosted osram light will be cozy

Not too high W / lumens if you want a light glow.

Suggest to buy more as sparing unit (if u need 8 buy 10 lah) so no issue about getting spare or holes don't fit etc

This post has been edited by ceo684: Jun 30 , 10:28 AM
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QUOTE(ChuanHong @ Jun 30 , 11:20 AM) i assume u compare same wattages, lets say 18W vs 18W.. same temperature, either k, k or k.. warmer color might giving u cozy and comfortable at home..

surface is used for no plaster ceiling while downlight need plaster so you would see flat profile with ceiling.. functional wise, both serve same purpose.. unless you compared with eyeball..

in my opinion, if you have plaster ceiling, you could have 3 types of light.. eyeball, downlight and cove light.. all three could serve different purpose..

standard one in market as per what i knew, 18W 6 inch size should be normal one.. dont install too much or else might be too bright.. take note about fan position & shadows angle..
Why need to do plaster ceiling and install downlight since surface light can serve same purpose? Somemore surface light is much cheaper and easier to install and i can save more money as no need to do plaster ceiling.
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QUOTE(goolie @ Jun 30 , 11:31 AM) Why need to do plaster ceiling and install downlight since surface light can serve same purpose? Somemore surface light is much cheaper and easier to install and i can save more money as no need to do plaster ceiling.
if you want to save money then dont do plaster ceiling and you get higher ceiling height too, replacing surface light with the same type of light is easy, just plug and play replacement, but for installation you will need more powerful drill since ceiling is usually reinforced concrete

the problem without plaster ceiling is to hide all the additional wiring for those downlights, and you wont get those fancy accent lightning that you see from plaster ceiling too

actually both type of light that you mentioned is also called downlight
surface downlight = install without plaster ceiling
recessed downlight = install flush with plaster ceiling, most of the internal is hidden inside plaster ceiling

you can go for LED track light or magnetic LED track light, you can conceal wiring at the side of the track and magnetic track light has many type of lights that can easily replaced surface downlight

surface downlight can be use at smaller area for example at living room to room walkway, entrance foyer, balcony, toilet, yard, and maybe kitchen
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QUOTE(goolie @ Jun 30 , 11:31 AM) Why need to do plaster ceiling and install downlight since surface light can serve same purpose? Somemore surface light is much cheaper and easier to install and i can save more money as no need to do plaster ceiling.
surface light will trap a lot of dust & insect after sometime.. and you will see the light there.. some concrete ceiling might have crack hairline after some time and looks ugly.. so people usually do plaster ceiling, can hide all wiring, add additional light point, AC point, fan point or whatever in plaster ceiling.. looks neat..

depend on your house renovation theme.. some like to see the piping running here & there.. some dont like.. without plaster ceiling, basically you can use only the lighting point/fan point as per provided by developer.. if you have palster ceiling, you can change the location easily..
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After experiencing both surface downlight and recessed downlight for plaster ceiling.... i will say both also a pain to change

Easiest to change is still T8 tube or bulb

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Jun 30 , 01:58 PM
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Good quality luminaires like PHILIPS, one do not have to change every 2-3 years.
I have been using a higher grade than PHILIPS Consumer series that is rated at 25,000Hrs and this is the 6th year in service. Based on my average 4-5hrs use per day, this downlight will last me another few more years before needing to change.
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QUOTE(amduser @ Jun 30 , 11:46 AM) if you want to save money then dont do plaster ceiling and you get higher ceiling height too, replacing surface light with the same type of light is easy, just plug and play replacement, but for installation you will need more powerful drill since ceiling is usually reinforced concrete

the problem without plaster ceiling is to hide all the additional wiring for those downlights, and you wont get those fancy accent lightning that you see from plaster ceiling too

actually both type of light that you mentioned is also called downlight
surface downlight = install without plaster ceiling
recessed downlight = install flush with plaster ceiling, most of the internal is hidden inside plaster ceiling

you can go for LED track light or magnetic LED track light, you can conceal wiring at the side of the track and magnetic track light has many type of lights that can easily replaced surface downlight

surface downlight can be use at smaller area for example at living room to room walkway, entrance foyer, balcony, toilet, yard, and maybe kitchen
hi, for this design, possible to not do plaster ceiling and just do LED track light?


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QUOTE(nastasha @ Jan 18 , 01:29 PM) hi, for this design, possible to not do plaster ceiling and just do LED track light?


if you want to do exactly in the picture, you will need plaster ceiling and wall panel, concrete wall can do it but it is a lot of work to hack the wall, and if you stay in condo, it is usually load bearing wall and not allowed to hack

if you dont want to do plaster ceiling you can only go surface light design, cannot look flushed like what you see in the picture
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QUOTE(ChuanHong @ Jun 30 , 10:20 AM) i assume u compare same wattages, lets say 18W vs 18W.. same temperature, either k, k or k.. warmer color might giving u cozy and comfortable at home..

surface is used for no plaster ceiling while downlight need plaster so you would see flat profile with ceiling.. functional wise, both serve same purpose.. unless you compared with eyeball..

in my opinion, if you have plaster ceiling, you could have 3 types of light.. eyeball, downlight and cove light.. all three could serve different purpose..

standard one in market as per what i knew, 18W 6 inch size should be normal one.. dont install too much or else might be too bright.. take note about fan position & shadows angle..
I replaced most of my plaster ceiling lights with surfaced mounted because during my renovation time did not make sure the plaster ceiling is as thick as possible! Once removed screw up the surronding so have to get slightly bigger surfaced mount to cover the damaged

Lighting is an element of our everyday lifestyle. And while we often take it for granted, selecting the ideal one for different situations may be difficult. Hopefully, looking over the facts and ideas will help you understand your lighting requirements better. Choose the optimum lighting for your kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom by putting the advice into practice.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website BITASO.

Surface-mounted luminaires provide a beautiful touch to the décor of a business environment or even homes. Surface lights have evolved as interior design features and garnered tremendous appeal in recent years. They provide consistent illumination, stimulate cost efficiency, and improve the overall ambiance of the room at the same time.

Furthermore, these surface lights come in different sizes, styles, and patterns. Apart from aesthetics, they provide other advantages, making them perfect for a wide range of settings, such as homes, restaurants, hospitals, hotels, and businesses.

Aspects to Consider When Purchasing Decorative Lights for the Home

Before purchasing surface-mounted luminaires, keep the following points in mind.

1. Choose the Best Mount Type

Surface lights come in various forms and mounting options. This not only gives users more alternatives. But they also support flexible and not-so-complicated installation. False Ceiling- lights, for example, are one of the most frequent mount patterns utilised in commercial areas. As the name implies, ceiling lights are directly fixed on the ceilings to provide equal illumination across the room. Some of the best false ceiling- lights for business areas are available on our website.

Other types of lighting on the market include wall-mounted lights and track-mounted lights. While wall-mounted lights are best for general illumination, track-mounted lights are ideally suited for venues such as art galleries, showrooms & so on.

2. Search for Optics

Optics is one of the most essential components of surface lights, according to the top manufacturers in India. It alters the light emitted by the diode, either by changing the beam or by lessening the glare.

Are you interested in learning more about Surface Ceiling Light? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

3. Pay Attention to the Construction Quality

Aluminium is a common material used in the production of surface lights. Because the material is long-lasting, lightweight, and paintable, over 80% of LED lighting companies recommend it. Decorative lights for homes are often built of aluminium and have a high level of polish. People can, however, choose more efficient options created by top companies.

4. The Power Factor

The power factor is a critical measure for determining the quality of any electrical device. Power Factor means the effective ratio of real power (used power at load) to perceived power (measured by your metre). A wise shopper would examine the wattage of any surface light and the power factor concerning the wattage.

5. LED Chip Lifespan

LEDs excel at this stage as their lifespan usually lasts between 20,000 to 50,000 hours. As a result, LEDs are ideal for usage in regions where maintenance of the surface lights can be not so easy or extended life is required.

6. Recessed Surface Lights

Usually, recessed lighting is utilised to cover a vast area with light. These surface lights are also known as downlights, which makes sense. The horizontal lights of the pendants, which are used to illuminate the dining table, work together with the recessed lights to provide general illumination for the whole space.

7. False Ceiling Lights With Flush Mount Fixtures

For rooms with low ceilings, a flush mount fixture is the best lighting to choose from. The design of flush mount false ceiling lights is easy, subtle, and barely attention-seeking. Choosing flush mount lights is a good option in homes where children or dogs are drawn to hanging lights.

Large areas may be lit with flush mount lamps without being uncomfortable for people to look at. These fixtures may accommodate a variety of light sources. But it is better to pick one that is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Almost any room may be lit up using this aesthetic lighting technique, including the bedroom, corridors, and bathrooms. So now that you know how to pick false ceiling lights, you can choose yours.

Bottom Line

Apart from the elements listed above, leading ceiling light experts think that customers look for other qualities, such as IP rating & and sensor compatibility. Also, environmental performance and light dispersion before purchasing surface lights.

For more information, please visit Led Handrail Lights.