Ceiling light panels: pros and cons

People are always looking for options for transforming their own apartment. Everyone wants to make a unique interior, unlike the one created by a neighbor or friend. Manufacturers and inventors try to satisfy this desire by coming up with new concepts every year. One of them is ceiling light panels. Such a spectacular yet practical device can transform even the most boring room.

They appeared on the market relatively long ago - about 10 years ago. Interior designers actively use them in their projects. But few among ordinary users know what such panels are, and whether they are safe to use in residential premises.

At its core, a lightbar is a specially designed luminaire. It consists of an aluminum frame on which the lamps are mounted. The light from the lamps hits a light-guiding lens, which reflects it through laser notches. To achieve an even distribution of light over the entire surface of the luminaire, a diffuser and reflective film are installed. Due to such a complex design, we get a color panel with a uniform glow.

Such a structure is attached to the ceiling with self-tapping screws, screws or dowel-nails. To ensure stable operation of the device, manufacturers complete it with a stabilized power supply. The result is a panel that consumes little electricity but has good light output.

These products are characterized by the following special features:

• For the operation of the LED panel, a voltage of only 40 V is required. Conversion of standard 220 - 240 V to 40 occurs in a stabilized power supply. Leading manufacturers supply them with built-in short-circuit protection.
• Installation can be done by yourself. The kit will already have all the necessary fasteners, so you don't have to go shopping for a long time and look for parts of the right size.
• Light panels do not emit ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
• Products do not contain mercury or other hazardous materials. Unlike energy saving lamps, which require a specific disposal procedure, LED panels can simply be thrown into a container after dismantling.

Manufacturers try to satisfy the requirements of even the most discerning buyers.

The panels are currently available on the market in three forms:

• Round. Laconic smooth lines soften the interior. If you do not want to burden the living room space with a large chandelier, then the round light panel in the center will be an excellent source of light and decoration. This form will appeal to lovers of futuristic style.
• Square. This form finds its application in office premises, offices or corridors (both enterprises and residential apartments). The traditional form will suit both lovers of classics and those who have conceived an interior in a minimalist style.
• Rectangle. A very interesting form, although quite traditional. Due to the different aspect ratios and their lengths, you can visually stretch or zone the space of the room.

In terms of dimensions, square and rectangular light panels are manufactured with specific parameters:

• 60 * 60cm;
• 120 * 30cm;
• 60*30.

To solve design problems, they are quite enough, connecting and combining them together, you can build a unique composition. Round panels do not have such clear frames. They can be found in a size grid from 12 to 60 cm.

Until recently, few people knew about these lighting devices, but they quickly gained wide popularity due to their unique properties and advantages.

The advantages of the product include:

• The ability to experiment with shape and size. There are endless variations in the placement of such lamps on the ceiling. This is a parallel arrangement in several rows, a checkerboard pattern, along the perimeter and the alignment of certain geometric shapes and lines.
• Possibility to choose the shade of the glow. You can add a touch of sophistication and originality to the interior by changing the color and light accents.
• Ease. The construction itself is quite light and thin. This simplifies installation work. This is also an added bonus if you have plasterboard ceilings, as it does not put a lot of stress on this fragile material.
• Easy to install. You can install the light panel yourself. It does not require any special professional tool or any special skills.

• Fastening is possible in three ways. This variability will help you find the best solution for you. It should be understood that this will be the same model of the lamp, but it can be fixed in different ways. The first method is the direct installation of the panel into the ceiling covering (suspended, plasterboard, tension, etc.). In the second case, it is simply suspended. This option is very effective, but the height of the room should be taken into account.
• Durability. The average operating time, declared by manufacturers, is about 100,000 hours, or, more simply, about 11.5 years of continuous work.

• Environmental friendliness.
• Resistant to temperature extremes. This gives a wide range for operation. Technical characteristics allow working in a temperature range from -20C to + 40C.
• The lamps are comfortable for the human eye. Unlike incandescent lamps, diode lamps do not flash or flicker.
• LEDs consume several times less electricity, which will reduce the cost of this service.

• Due to the built-in voltage regulator, the devices are not afraid of power surges. There is no need to be afraid that the device will fail in case of line failures, or the light bulb will suddenly burn out.
• The thickness does not exceed 15 mm. This allows mounting on virtually any surface. The panel will not clutter up the space, and in the daytime it will not distract attention.

• Silence. If you are constantly in the room where the light panels are installed, you will not notice any crackles or other sound effects from them. It is much more comfortable and pleasant to work in such an environment.
• Soft, soft light will create a pleasant atmosphere in the room.

When buying light panels, you need to understand what surprises you may encounter during operation.

The disadvantages of devices include the following signs:

• They lose power over time. Despite the fact that manufacturers claim to have a long life of the device, you may notice that after a certain number of hours, the light emitted by the LEDs has become less bright. It is reassuring that this process makes itself felt long after the purchase.
• Low package stability. This factor can be decisive when choosing. This feature of the device does not allow it to be used in rooms with high humidity.

Light panels have a wide range of applications. They are happily installed in offices and shops where a rigorous work environment needs to be created. For these purposes, the usual chandeliers and hanging sconces are completely unsuitable.

At first glance, the products do not represent any particular artistic value, but in the skillful hands of designers, thanks to the light panels, unique stylish interiors are obtained. In addition, they can be installed not only on the ceiling, but also on the walls.

When choosing and installing light panels, designers recommend following several recommendations:

• Choose neutral shades for even, soft lighting throughout the room.
• To visually lengthen the existing space, arrange the stripes from the panels in parallel in two rows (simulating elongated lines). If you place the panels side by side, you get the opposite effect.
• Chaotically arranged panels add uniqueness and originality to the room.
• Using ultra-thin LED panels, you can visually increase the height of the room.
• The products fit perfectly into such modern styles as minimalism, modern and high-tech. Also, adherents of the Japanese style can easily create an imitation of windows on the ceiling, characteristic of this direction in interior design.

Summing up, we can say that this type of lighting fixtures have more advantages than disadvantages. If you correctly fit them into the interior, they can look even more spectacular than pompous crystal chandeliers.

See below for a video overview of ultra-thin light panels.