Color temperature is an important specification to consider when choosing the best lighting options. Often times our customers ask our staff what we recommend. To be entirely translucent, color temperature really comes down to preference. Today, we will be looking at the Kelvin spectrum, explaining what the ratings mean and going over which colors are best for which applications.
What is Color Temperature?
Color temperature refers to the hue that is given off by a light source. This color is measured in degrees of Kelvin (K), on a scale from 1,000K to 10,000K. The lower the number, the closer the output color is to that of a candlelight. The higher the number, the closer to Daylight or that of a blue sky. The diagram below clearly displays the various colors in the Kelvin scale:
Warm White - 2000K - 3000K
Warm white is typically compared to an Incandescent light bulb. This range will vary, normally starting at around 2000K and ending with 3000K. This type of color output is popular for creating a nice inviting space. You will frequently find this color light in residential homes and warm patio areas to name a few.
The warm white spectrum creates a nice Warm environment and is commonly found in the hospitality industry. String lights, small monument lights, residential lamp posts and area lighting fixtures are most commonly found in Warm White.
Cool White - 3100K - 5000K
Cool White tends to read a bit brighter, and closely resembles Day Light. I like to describe this color temperature as the sweet spot in between warm white and the blueish day white. It is bright and inviting, and typically used in functional outdoor lighting, such as illuminating signs, billboards, large monuments and store fronts.
The majority of our Solar Flood Lights, Street Lights and Motion Sensor lights output this cool white temperature as it tends to catch the eye and work well in larger spaces.
Anything above or around the 6000K area is designed for tasks that require high levels of illumination. This is not as common, but typically found in work areas, warehouses, internally lit signs and high-end security lighting.
At the end of the day, color temperature is really all based on preference. However, it certainly does help to loosely follow these general recommendations to achieve the best results for your application. As always, we are just a phone call away (877-548-3387) and are happy to offer our expertise on all of your Solar Lighting needs!
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