When installing light fixtures in your timber frame home, you’ve likely noticed it is more challenging. That’s because of the exposed frame of your ceiling, forcing you to account for the unique lighting needs.
If you are trying to brainstorm lighting solutions for your timber home, we’ve got you covered. Below are some of the best lighting options you can choose for timber homes. We will also tell you how these lights can accentuate your home’s beauty.
What are the Lighting Options in Timber Frame Homes?
Here’s a shortlist of lights that perform the best in timber homes:
- Track lighting
- Pot lights
- Chandeliers
- Wall lights
- Under-cabinet lights
- Mantel sidelights
Typically, timber frames do not have light-based limitations. However, the exposed ceiling trusses require good cross-lighting. Cross-lighting involves using light sources from multiple angles to avoid dark spots.
Still, picking these lights can enable you to ensure your living space is well lit. Here’s how those lighting options apply to your needs:
Why Choose a Track Light?
For those who have exposed beams on your ceiling, choosing a track light is an easy solution. Because wood tends to absorb light, track lighting solves this problem by lighting the entire surface.
How To Use a Pot Light
Pot lights, otherwise known as recessed lights, can be used in tray ceilings effectively. However, you’ll want to be sure that you don’t choose a light that is too bright.
Choosing an incandescent bulb will help you provide warmer lights. This bulb choice will enable you to avoid the “reverse flashlight under the chin” effect.
Chandeliers in Timber Homes
Chandeliers solve many of the problems with timber homes because they provide a light source in a central point of your room. Similar to a ceiling fan, these are typically a bit more elegant.
Whatever you choose, make sure you have the budget, and there is no chance someone can bump their head. A chandelier should be six feet from the floor (or three feet from a table).
How Wall Lights Can Help Your Design
Wall lights (sometimes called wall sconces) are accent lighting that mounts to a wall. They are typically best for room areas that are impossible for other lighting forms.
These lights are also protected using some form of thick glass. Try not to go too crazy with these lights, as they can take away important wall space.
How Can Under-Cabinet Lights Help?
Under-cabinet lights are underneath the openings of kitchen cabinets. They should be small and energy-efficient to ensure you don’t need to turn on your kitchen lights.
Ideally, this will mean you should pick LEDs or fluorescent lights, as both of those are bright and illuminate the room.
What are Mantel Sidelights?
Mantel sidelights are lights located on the side of your mantel and door entrance. They are also typically seen as windows that enable you to see through an obscured window, usually made of stained glass.
These are ideal for those looking for that classic rustic look that comes from the side-window appearance. With additional flights, it can help illuminate the entrance and enhance the beauty of the timber frame floor plans.
Four Types of Light You Need To Know About
There are four types of lighting you must consider depending on the space your lights are installed in:
- General lighting – A light for general purposes (safety & security)
- Task lighting – Lighting to help you perform tasks (cooking, hobbies, etc.). You should choose task lighting with fluorescent lights or LEDs for detail-oriented work.
- Accent Lighting: Lighting for drawing attention to something in your room (art, furniture, etc.)
- Exterior Lighting – Provides safety and security for people entering the house. These include sconces (wall lights), porch lights, and landscape lighting.
Knowing these lights will enable you to understand what is most appropriate for your living spaces.
Are There Professional Lighting Installations for Timber Frame Homes?
Our team at Hamill Creek provides a full-service solution for all jobs. Our design team creates the electric plan and lighting layout alongside the frame, meaning our company offers these professional lighting installations.
Final Tips
Before we wrap things up, here are some final tips to keep in mind when choosing your lights:
- Lighting can blow your budget. If you want to splurge, do it in your living room, dining room, kitchen, or foyer.
- Private areas of your home need curtains or another method of obscuring the space to prevent your bright lighting from reaching the outdoors.
- Don’t forget about wall lighting to fill in the gaps in stairways and long hallways.
- Low-level recessed lighting is great for stairs, under-cabinet lighting, and mantel sidelights to avoid dominating areas visually.
- If you have a limited budget and want to install lights later, try taking care of the wiring. Doing the wiring now and having the lights later will save you money, as you won’t need to tear down the wall.
- Think about areas you want to display or place the furniture in before putting accent lighting
For more ideas and a quote on how much it will cost to ensure your timber home has the best lighting, contact our team at Hamill Creek Timber Homes.