Significance of COLOR TEMPERATURE

Color temperature is a way to describe the light appearance provided by a light fixture. It describes the warmth or coolness color characteristics of a light source.  It is measured in degrees of Kelvin (K) on a scale from 1000 to 10000. Color temperature is the measure (in Kelvin) of a light's color when it is illuminated.

Color temperature is a description of the warmth or coolness of a light source. When a piece of metal is heated, the color of light it emits will change. This color begins as red in appearance and graduates to orange, yellow, white, and then blue-white to deeper colors of blue. The temperature of this metal is a physical measure in degrees Kelvin or absolute temperature. While lamps other than incandescent such as LEDs do not exactly mimic the output of this piece of metal, we utilize the correlated color temperature (or Kelvins) to describe the appearance of that light source as it relates to the appearance of the piece of metal (specifically a black body radiator).

Candles being around 2000 degrees Kelvin (k) while daylight typically 5500 – 6500k. Candles are very warm of course, basically yellow/orange, whereas daylight at noon is very cool. The color or warmth of white light is ranked on a scale. A low kelvin rating is assigned to warmer shades of light, a higher rating denotes a cooler shade of light.

These are used to describe the ambience you are trying to create. It is important to understand the mood you would like to achieve.

Color temperature has important implications for lighting. Ambient lighting will require a much different color temperature than a space dedicated to detailed tasks. 

WARM WHITE

At the lower end of the scale, from 2000K to 3000K, the light produced is called “warm white” and ranges from orange to yellow-white in appearance.

Warm white provides an ambient and intimate light that is ideal for living rooms, due to their more yellow tone. Also this creates an inviting environment perfect for commercial spaces. Places that would benefit most from this color temperature include spas, hotel lobbies, restaurants and other areas that need a welcoming touch because of it’s warm, cozy and inviting glow – similar to a sunset or candlelight.

NATURAL WHITE 

Natural white is a little cleaner in appearance with just a hint of warmth. Color temperatures between 3100K and 4500K are referred to as “natural white.” Lights within this range will emit a more neutral white light.

This color range produces a balanced color tone, not too blue and not too yellow. Spaces that would benefit from this type of light would be commercial spaces, retail spaces, hospital offices and hallways, and office spaces. This creates an environment that can keep employees alert through the day and gives off an energetic and lively atmosphere.  Bright white provides a clean and neutral light that is ideal for kitchens and workspaces because of their natural light tone. This color temperature is great for task lighting as well as general lighting purposes.

COOL WHITE 

Above 4500K brings us into the “daylight” color temperature of light. Lights with color temperatures of 4500K and above will give off a blue-white light that mimics daylight.

Daylight white provides a more vibrant white light that is ideal for commercial spaces. LED light bulbs that fall within this range, emit an almost blue color. This kind of lighting is great for task lighting in office buildings, break rooms, and check out areas in retail stores. 

When an environment requires more precision, a cool white light is ideal. This lighting color is used mainly in professional garages and grocery stores, which need crisp lighting for workers and customers to see detail when working on a car, and the colors of food as correctly as possible.

The key is not to mix color temperatures in a room. Once you’ve decided which color temperate to go for, stick with it, make sure all lights and light bulbs in that space are the same.