How to Light a Commercial Building

The right building lighting makes your office building a more comfortable, secure place for your employees to work. It also helps to make the building stand out more on the street, increasing its presence.

In this article, we’ll discuss commercial lighting solutions and how to incorporate them into your building space.

 

Understanding the Importance of Proper Lighting in Commercial Spaces

Having proper lighting in a commercial space is about more than just ensuring it is well-lit. Good office lighting will make the space a brighter, more energizing one for the employees. Quality lighting indoors has been proven to help workers feel more alert and focused.

Commercial buildings tend to be larger, especially office buildings, meaning they need more illumination on the outside as well. Commercial landscape lighting is crucial for providing ample illumination outdoors. This will make the building easier to see, and feel safer to approach at night.

Furthermore, it can help communicate the company’s brand. This is especially important in retail environments. Commercial outdoor lighting plays a big role in attracting potential customers toward your shop. Then, you can further communicate the brand’s personality with the interior lighting you choose.

Reception with ceiling lights for a small shop, showroom

Lighting for Different Areas of a Commercial Building 

Commercial buildings are made up of different types of spaces, depending on the purpose of the building in question. Office buildings, retail spaces and warehouse and industrial areas are the most common.

The kind of commercial LED lighting you’ll need will depend on the kind of commercial space you want to light.

 

Office spaces. Commercial office lighting should provide ample ambient lighting and task lighting alike. Downlights, wall sconces and panel lights bring plenty of illumination to the space to ensure a vibrant, energetic work environment.

 

Retail spaces. Retail spaces need lighting that shows off the products on display very clearly. Commercial track lighting, spot lights and other direct illumination works well here.

 

Warehouses. Warehouses require illumination that focuses on safety and visibility above all else. Warehouse workers often work with heavy machinery and drive vehicles in the space, so bright, clear lighting is a must. Flood lights, plenty of ceiling lighting and task lighting at work stations are crucial.

 

Key Factors to Consider When Lighting a Commercial Space 

As you begin to think about your commercial lighting design, there are a few things you should take into consideration:

 

  • PURPOSE OF THE SPACE. Stop to think about the specific needs of the area you are lighting. Is it a retail store that needs plenty of focused illumination on products? A warehouse that must prioritize brightness and safety above all? Knowing this information will help you design your commercial lighting systems.

 

  • CEILING HEIGHT. Commercial spaces like garages, warehouses and other industrial spaces tend to have higher ceilings than others. Higher ceilings mean you’ll need brighter lighting in order for it to reach the floor. Conversely, lower ceiling heights tend to require diffused, soft lighting.

 

  • Figuring out how you intend to control the lights is critical, especially in a larger commercial space. Decide if you want to turn all lights on and off at once, or if there are certain lights you’ll want on at specific times. Using smart lighting, you can set routines and timers to control the illumination. Otherwise, you can simply use manual switches.

 

  • LED LIGHTS. LED lights are increasing in popularity over the years, and for good reason. Using LED lights instead of traditional bulbs will bring many benefits to your commercial space.

 

  • QUALITY OF THE LIGHTS. Do your research on different commercial lighting supply options. By buying from trustworthy commercial lighting suppliers, you can have more confidence that the light you are receiving will be of high quality.

 

Choosing the Right Lighting Technology 

As mentioned, LED bulbs are the superior choice for commercial exterior lighting and interior lighting all the same. Why exactly is that? Read on to learn more of the benefits of this bulb type.

 

Energy Efficient

LED bulbs are, by nature, far more energy efficient than any other type of lighting. They use up to 80 percent less energy than their traditional counterparts. This is due to the fact that they do not need to first create heat to generate light. Instead, all of the energy goes into illumination itself.

 

Long Life

LEDs have a much longer lifespan than traditional bulbs. Whereas halogen and incandescent lights etnd to only last for 1,000 hours or so, LED bulbs are rated for tens of thousands of hours.

 

Cost Effective

Since LED lights last for longer, you won’t have to spend money on replacements nearly as often. Beyond that, their energy efficient nature means less of a strain on your energy supply, lowering your overall energy costs.

 

Versatile

LED lights come in a variety of colour temperatures and brightnesses. This will allow you to provide the exact type of lighting that your business or warehouse requires.

 

The Role of Natural Lighting in Commercial Spaces 

While commercial lighting fixtures are certainly important, there is another kind of lighting that cannot go overlooked in commercial spaces: natural light. This is especially true in offices.

Natural light is a more comfortable light source than artificial light. It is easy on the eyes and provides ambient lighting throughout a space without turning on a single bulb. Utilizing as much natural light as possible during the day may help you save even more on your energy bills, since you aren’t relying solely on electricity to light the space.

In offices, natural light is particularly important. Studies have shown that employees that have exposure to natural light during the day perform better. It helps to keep them feeling alert and productive, while also ensuring their circadian rhythms are in check. This can, in turn, extend to getting better sleep at night, which will carry benefits over to their workdays.

Modern office boardroom with ceiling lighting

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Lighting Commercial Buildings 

As you set out to light your commercial space, keep these common lighting mistakes in mind.

 

Not Including Commercial Wall Lighting

The exterior of your commercial building will need as much attention as the indoors. This is especially true if you want to make a statement with your lighting or communicate your brand’s personality.

Using commercial wall lighting, you can draw attention to the entryway of the building. You can also light up any dark spots that more ambient lighting is not able to cover. Furthermore, using facade lighting, you can create a strong visual presence for your space.

 

Clashing Colour Temperatures

Depending on the mood and brand of your building, you will want to choose a light colour that suits it. Warm and cool colours both have their place, but never together. Choose only one colour temperature to use throughout your exterior so as not to cause an abrasive clash.

 

Ignoring Weather

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not considering the conditions the lights will be placed under. Outdoor lighting is exposed to the elements, so it needs to be strong enough to weather the storm–literally.

Choose lights made out of hardwearing materials such as aluminium, steel and brass. You’ll also want to be sure they have an IP65 rating or higher to ensure waterproof protection.

 

Conclusion 

Commercial lighting goes a long way toward enhancing the appearance, functionality and safety of your commercial building. Keep this guide close by as you plan and install your commercial lighting to make the most out of your efforts.

 

Commercial Lighting Ideas

 

  1. Male 4 Watt Round Illuminated LED Toilet Sign

LWA228D 4 watt illuminated male LED toilet and washroom sign

Easily guide employees and customers to the bathrooms of your commercial buildings with the Male 4 Watt Round Illuminated LED Toilet Sign. This sign features a polished stainless steel faceplate that has an icon laser cut into it. Behind the cutout is a light that shines 400 lumens, outlining the shape of the icon. This durable light features an IP20 rating and measures 162 millimeters in diameter.

 

  1. 36 Watt 1000mm Long IP65 Linear LED Wall Washer

36 watt linear LED wall washer outdoor building facade lighting

Light up the facade of your commercial building with the 36 Watt 1000mm Long IP65 Linear LED Wall Washer. This wall washer light boasts a length of 1000 millimeters, allowing it to cover more area with light. It shines an ultra-bright 4300 lumens of your choice of warm or cool light at a 30 degree beam angle. This fixture is fashioned out of high quality aluminium given a sleek silver finish. It has been IP65 rated for safe use outdoors.

 

  1. LDC963 36 Watt Dimmable Triple Modular LED Downlight

LDC963 36 watt modular recessed LED ceiling downlight fitting

Light up your commercial space indoors and out with the LDC963 36 Watt Dimmable Triple Modular LED Downlight. This light generates 2700 lumens of your choice of warm or cool light that shines at a 38 degree beam angle. Durably built from premium aluminium, it resists rust and other corrosive damage. It measures 387 millimeters by 135 millimeters and is finished with a black internal section and a white outer rim.

 

  1. LBL278-BK 42 Watt Round Black Surface Mounted LED Downlight

LBL278 42 watt large black surface mounted downlight

Create ample light in warehouses, office buildings and more with the LBL278-BK 42 Watt Round Black Surface Mounted LED Downlight. This light generates 3300 lumens of 3000K warm white light that shines down at a 50 degree beam angle. Light is reflected from its chrome plated interior, while the exterior is finished in black. This light is built to last out of both steel and alumnium and measures 205 millimeters in diameter.

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