Color accuracy plays a major role in our everyday activities. If the color of the light source isn’t accurate, it will throw off how we perceive all colors in our environment. The decision to use a warm white, cool white, or a color-balanced light source in a room will dictate how object colors in that room will be perceived. For instance, if a warm white lamp is used, the light washing across a white wall will appear a yellowish/orange color. If a cool white light is used instead, the white wall appears yellowish/green. If a color-balanced light source is used, the white wall appears white!
Color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin (K).The lower the Kelvin temperature, the warmer the light source is considered. When the Kelvin temperature is raised, the light source is considered cooler. As a point of reference, sunlight at sunrise has a Kelvin temperature of 2000K. One hour after sunrise, the color temperature climbs up to 3500K. Sunlight in Washington D.C. at noon, with no clouds, has a color temperature of 5400K. Average summer shade is listed at 8000 K, with summer skylight varying from 9,500K to 30,000 K.
Warm white light has a color temperature of 3200°K to 3500°K
Cool white light has a color temperature of 4100°K
Color-balanced light has a color temperature of greater than 5000°K
Color balanced lighting is intended for all visual environments (with the possible exception of restaurants, where a warm, intimate setting is preferred.) There are tremendous benefits to color-balanced, full visible spectrum lighting in schools, offices, hospitals, doctor's offices, grocery and department stores, and even warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
Take A Closer Look...
In the picture on the left, a young lady is standing in a hallway adjacent to an open office door. Both the hallway and office are illuminated by 3500K fluorescent lights. All walls (hallway and office) have been painted pink. The hallway lighting has been filtered by NaturaLux™ filters, whereas the lighting in the office has not. In the photo on the right, the young lady stands in the office under the unfiltered fluorescent light. In addition to the wall colors, compare the striking differences in the color of her hair, skin and clothing. To view a close-up of this photo, CLICK HERE or on the picture (above.)
Side-by Side Comparison: Cool White vs. NaturaLux
The photo (above) was taken with a digital camera of two side-by-side exam rooms in an ophthalmologist's office. Cool white lamps at identical illumination levels illuminate both rooms. The walls in both rooms are painted a light slate blue, and both rooms have identical charcoal blue colored carpet.The room on the left is taken under cool white fluorescent light with a clear prismatic lens. The room on the right is using the same cool white light, but it is being filtered through a NaturaLux™ Filter.Which room appears brighter? Look at the ceiling tiles and walls in the room on the left compared to the right. The same fluorescent light that makes the room appear yellow/green also affects the color rendering of our skin, clothing, make-up and hair. You may click on the picture (above) or CLICK HERE for a better view.
We help provide glare-free, UV-absorbing, color-balanced light wherever you work, play and shop.
