Light panels on the ceiling: the pros and cons

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

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

At its core, the light panel is a lamp that has a special design. It consists of an aluminum frame on which the lamps are mounted. The light from the lamps falls on the light guide lens, which reflects it through laser notches. To achieve a uniform distribution of light over the entire surface of the lamp, a diffuser and reflective film is installed. Due to such a complex structure, we get a color panel with a uniform luminescence.

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

The following specific features are characteristic of such products:

• For the operation of the LED panel, a voltage of only 40 V is needed. Leading manufacturers supply them with built-in short-circuit protection.
• Installation can be carried out independently. The kit will already have all the necessary fasteners, so you do not have to go shopping for a long time and look for parts of the right size.
• Light panels do not give ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
• Products do not contain mercury or other hazardous materials. Unlike energy-saving lamps, which require a specific disposal procedure, the LED panels can be simply thrown into the container after dismantling.

Manufacturers are trying to satisfy the requirements of even the most demanding customers.

The panels are currently on the market in three forms:

• Round. Laconic smooth lines soften the interior. If you do not want to burden the living room with a large chandelier, then a round light panel in the center will become an excellent source of light and decoration. This form will appeal to fans of the 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 the classics and those who conceived the interior in a minimalist style.
• Rectangle. A very interesting form, although quite traditional. Due to the different aspect ratios and their length, you can visually extend or zone the space of the room.

As for the sizes, the square and rectangular light panels are produced with certain parameters:

• 60 * 60cm;
• 120 * 30cm;
• 60*30.

To solve their design problems, it turns out to be quite enough; by combining and combining them together you can build a unique composition. Round panels do not have such a clear frame. They can be found in a dimensional grid from 12 to 60 cm.

More recently, very few people knew about these light fixtures, but they quickly gained wide popularity due to their unique properties and advantages.

The advantages of the product include:

• Ability to experiment with shape and size. Variations of placement on the ceiling of such lamps, there is an infinite number. This is a parallel arrangement in several rows, a chess order, around the perimeter and the alignment of certain geometric shapes and lines.
• Ability to choose a shade of light. You can add a touch of sophistication and originality to your interior by changing the color and light accents.
• Ease. The design itself is quite light and thin. This simplifies installation work. This is also an additional advantage if you have plasterboard ceilings, since it does not create a large load on this fragile material.
• Easy installation.You can install the light panel yourself. Here you will not need any special professional tool or any special skills.

• Fastening is possible in three ways. Such variability will help find the best solution for you. It should be understood that it 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 in the ceiling (suspended, plasterboard, tension, etc.). In the second case, it is simply suspended. This option is very effective, but it is worth considering the height of the room.
• Durability. The average working time claimed by the manufacturers is about 100,000 hours, or, to put it simply, about 11.5 years of continuous work.

• Environmental friendliness.
• Resistance to temperature extremes. This gives a wide range for operation. Technical characteristics allow to work in temperature conditions from -20С to + 40С.
• Lamps are comfortable for the human eye. Unlike incandescent bulbs diode lights do not blink and do not flicker.
• LEDs consume several times less electricity, which will reduce the cost of this service.

• Because of the built-in voltage regulator, the devices are not afraid of surges in the power grid. Do not be afraid that the device will fail in case of failures on the line, or a light bulb suddenly burns out.
• Thickness does not exceed 15 mm. This allows installation on virtually any surface. The panel does not clutter the space, and in the daytime will not distract attention.

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

Buying light panels, you need to understand what surprises you may encounter during the operation period.

The disadvantages of devices include the following signs:

• Over time, they lose power. Despite the fact that manufacturers claim that the device is operating for a long time, you may notice that after a certain number of hours, the light emitted from the LEDs did not become so bright. Soothes 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 to operate it in rooms with high humidity.

Light panels have a wide range of applications. They are happy to be installed in offices and shops where it is necessary to create a strict working atmosphere. For these purposes, the usual chandeliers and hanging sconces are completely inappropriate.

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

Designers when choosing and installing light panels recommend to adhere to several recommendations:

• To get a uniform soft lighting of the entire space of the room, choose neutral shades.
• To visually lengthen the existing space, arrange the strips of panels in parallel in two rows.(imitating oblong lines). If you place the panels one after another across, you will get the opposite effect.
• Chaotically located panels give the room uniqueness and originality.
• Using ultra-thin LED panels, you can visually increase the height of the room.
• 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, typical of this area in interior design.

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

Video review of ultra-thin light panels, see below.