Paint Color and Lighting, Kirkland Paint Contractor, Painting America

Paint Color and Lighting: More Important Than You Thought

Lighting for PaintLighting for Paint

Lighting for Paint – it makes a difference! Light bulbs do have an effect on color.

You have probably heard that a recent US energy bill will outlaw incandescent light bulbs and require the use of compact fluorescent lamps.

This bill seeks to reduce the energy use of light bulbs by 30 percent from 2012 to 2014. The sale of bulbs that use more energy are being phased out, beginning with 100 watt bulbs.

The ultimate goal is for the light bulbs to be 70 percent more efficient. It is misleading to say that all incandescent bulbs will be phased out.

If incandescent bulbs are reengineered to meet the new standards, they could still be an option. Other types of bulbs, such as halogen and LED’s meet the new requirements.

If we want to comply with the rules now, what currently available bulbs should we choose?

Each bulb has its different affects on paint color.

As repaint specialists, we have found that the Fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) give us the worst lighting for interior color.

They emit a cool gray/blue glare and change wall color to an unsatisfactory color. Imagine viewing your walls with gray lenses over your eyes.

The manufacturers claim that the trick is to pay attention to the Kelvin (K) numbers on the package, the lower the number, the warmer or more yellow the light.

Higher Kelvin numbers give off the aforementioned cooler light.

To closely match the warmth of traditional incandescent bulbs, the manufacturer recommends, CFL’s in the 2700k to 3000k range, or full spectrum, 5000k are said to mimic natural sunlight.

We are still having trouble with color changing with the low range Kelvin.

We believe the full spectrum is way too harsh and bright for a comfortable interior décor.

LED’s use 90 percent less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent. They give off no heat and are available in different color temperatures. They are expensive, however and are better used in directional lighting situations, such as to show case a work of art.

As color consultation and repaint specialists, we have experienced trouble with LED lighting changing wall color as well.

Halogen bulbs are more energy efficient than traditional incandescent, but less than CFL bulbs. They are a better option if you have concern about the mercury of bulb shape of the CFL.

They are a longer lasting bulb, eco-friendly and are 30 percent more efficient than incandescent.

They probably will not meet long term future energy efficiency standards. Additionally, halogen lighting causes color change as well.

By now, you’re probably confused to some degree and want to know what light bulbs will not change your wall color.

We find that the old incandescent, Soft white, 75 watt are the best.

This light bulb does not change the wall color. We continue to recommend this to all our clients, but we understand it is a personal choice.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that the technology will improve in the year and the new incandescent light bulbs indeed will come to fruition.

For now our recommendation is to stay with the soft whites, enjoy your “true” wall color and revisit light bulbs in 2014.

Final recommendation: We recommend 75 watt soft white bulbs…for now.

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