LED Integrated VS. LED Ready Flush Mount Fixtures
As more and more people switch from Incandescent fixtures to LED, it is important to be certain that you are choosing the right product for your applications. For this article, we are going to cover fixtures that are very common in apartments and townhouses: flush mount fixtures. As someone who spent five straight years in apartments and townhouses, I can personally attest to these frequenting every one. There are two basic, but important, types of flush mount LED fixtures: LED ready and LED integrated. Keep reading to find out the major differences and maybe somethings that aren't commonly considered important but are.
LED Ready Fixtures
Just as the name suggests, these fixtures are ready for bulbs, but do not come with any installed. Possibly the best example of these are the Progress Lighting fixtures. These fixtures, which commonly look like this, are what the majority of people envision when someone says flush mount fixture. These require the use of standard A19 bulbs, and normally take anywhere from one to three of them to properly illuminate the room (number of bulbs relies solely on the individual fixture itself).
Most of the ones that I personally have had in my places of living have had a frosted glass cover to reduce the brightness of the bulbs. While it might not seem like a big deal, it definitely makes a difference and the light produced when using LED bulbs is still significant with the cover, just not as abrasive on the eyes. They come with a frosted or clear cover so make sure you know which one might fit your style and preference before purchasing them. Just keep in mind that you will have to mount a ladder and replace the bulbs eventually.
LED Integrated Fixtures
Integrated LED Fixtures are ones that have the LED already in them and don't require any additional bulbs to operate. A great example of an affordable and ascetically pleasing integrated fixture is a disc flush mount light from Feit Electric. Not only is it just 2 inches in height, it also lasts up to 45 years with somewhat limited use, so that whole time you aren't worried about having to scale a ladder to replace the bulbs ( for someone like me who is vertically challenged, this is lovely). A big difference, if you didn't notice from looking at the images of each fixture, is that the flush mounts are much less bulky because there aren't any bulbs in them, just the LED nodes. This lets you install them in basements or attics where the ceiling might be a lot lower and you don't want to feel like a giant with a huge LED ready flush mount overhead. It is a preference, but one that I frequently insist is a bigger deal than a lot of people might realize. Having that extra room can transform a room from feeling cramped to cozy in an instant.
Other Factors to Consider
Here are some other factors to consider when looking at LED flush mount fixtures. Are they going in the bathroom? Make sure the one you choose is damp location rated to deal with the steam from the shower/sink. Is this going in the kitchen? You might want to get one that is a little more fancy since guests are likely to see it. Is the fixture being dimmable important to you? Sometimes it is nice to be able to dim the lights a little, especially when it is dusk and the lighting is less than ideal but not entirely dark outside yet. These are just a few other things to take into consideration when looking for flush mount lights.
Hopefully this clears some things up and allows you to have an enjoyable time picking out your new fixtures. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers between these two, just a personal preference.
You can find more LED Flush Mount Fixtures here.
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