Is there a lighting term that is throwing you off course when you read the product description? Perhaps the definitions below will provide some clarity, if not, let us know!

Ambient light: Available or existing surrounding light in a space.

Base: The body of the lamp. Bases are typically made from acrylic, porcelain, plastic, aluminum, or wood, among others, and must be soundly constructed to prevent the lamp from tipping.

Canopy: A covering, usually attached to the ceiling, to help suspend pendant lamps and hide hardwired elements.

Color Rendering Index: Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measurement of how well colors are perceived under a given light source. The lower the CRI, the poorer colors will appear.

Color Temperature: Color Temperature is a measure of the color of the light produced by the lamp. The lower the color temperature, the warmer and more yellow or pink the light will appear. The higher the color temperature the more white and blue/white in appearance. Color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin (K).

Diffuser: An optical device that distributes the light of a lamp evenly.

Dimmer Switch: A device used for dimming a light.

Directional lighting: A light source with parallel light rays that do not diminish with distance.

Downlight: A lamp or bulb whose light is directed straight downward.

Downrods: An accessory for pendants and chandeliers to add length.

Foot switch: A light switch option that is typically placed on the floor. Lighting can be turned on and off by stepping on the switch.

Fresnel lens: A thin optical lens consisting of concentric rings of segmental lenses and having a short focal length, used primarily in spotlights, overhead projectors, and the headlights of motor vehicles.

General Lighting: General lighting radiates a comfortable level of brightness, enabling one to see and walk about safely. Traditional sources of general lighting are chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, pendant lamps, and floor lamps.

Hard-wired installation: In most cases hard-wired installation warrants “Hire an electrician!”

LED: LED bulbs (Light emitting diodes) are tiny light bulbs that fit easily into an electrical circuit. Unlike ordinary incandescent bulbs, they don’t have a filament that will burn out, and they don’t get especially hot.

Lumens: The amount of light a bulb produces. Standard 100 watt light bulbs produce 1600 lumens.

Polycarbonate: Any of a class of resins that are thermoplastic, tough, transparent, and nontoxic and are used in making molded products.

Task Lighting: Task lighting helps you perform specific activities such as reading, sewing, cooking, homework, hobbies, games, or balancing your checkbook. It can be provided by pendant lamps, wall mounted adjustable swing arm lamps and most portable lamps (desk lamps, table lamps, etc). Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows and should be bright enough to prevent eyestrain.

Tyvek: A super-resistant paper material.

UL and CUL listed: Underwriters Laboratory, Inc., is a product safety, testing and certification organization.

Uplighting: Uplighting visually expands a room by providing ambient light upward. Use them as a complement to recessed down lighting, and place them where they appear aesthetically balanced in the room.

Wattage: The amount of electricity generated by a bulb. If you are switching from standard incandescent bulbs to CFLs, or simply changing a dead bulb, it is important to know the wattage of the old bulb. CFLs use less wattage but produce more light.