Color Temperature Was Essential When Designing Our LED Light Fittings

When we first began working with LED lighting there were a number of prerequisites for us to put our name to the Sterling Lighting fixtures. We needed the light fitting to look visually beautiful, for it be durable and last under various outdoor weather conditions and be fitted with LED bulbs that are rock solid. Above all though, the right color temperature and light output was essential.

Our product development started with using a traditional 35 watt par 36 bulb. This light provided a more even spread than the standard MR 16 bulb used in many fittings which is so important when lighting up a landscape.

Once we were able to perfectly match a par bulb, we began to look for ways to improve and enhance it. We first increased the color temperature by a 100 degrees. This may only sound like a minor difference, but adjusting the temperature slightly can have a big impact in the overall result. Too cool and the light can appear too white and wash everything out especially in an outdoor garden setting and have it too warm the light can be too strong and overpower the subject you are wanting to highlight. Further into our product development we noticed that a halogen bulb gave a “hot spot” near the fixture. Our objective wasn’t to just recreate the exact same look using an LED bulb, we wanted to make the best light source possible.

So we chose to incorporate a Cree chip that is known for not producing an intense spot near the fixture itself. You might notice that Sterling Lighting LED fittings distribute light from side to side as well as front top to bottom. The optics we had also designed helped distribute the light more evenly and further afield than the usual par bulb could. So with these modifications, we started to achieve the quality of light we wanted to see within landscape projects to enhance design elements, architecture and gardens.

We are very happy with the results and can proudly stamp the Sterling Lighting brand on our fixtures!

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