The role of floors within the lighting design

Besides natural light and artificial lighting, surfaces like flooring also play their part to determine the quality of light in a room. For a good lighting design, it therefore is important to look beyond the light points and armatures (the lighting plan). With the choice of the proper flooring in relation to light, lighting and interior designers use the light reflectance values (LRV). In this article we shine a light on the light reflectance values and the influence of flooring within the lighting design.

FLOORING AND LIGHT

For elements like flooring to play an important part within the lighting design, is also confirmed by Erna van het Erve of Studio Kleurmerk, specialized in interior and lighting design for healthy living, learning, and working environments. “In relation to lighting there are three big and important surfaces in the interior: the floor, the wall, and the ceiling. The floor you experience, the wall you see and the ceiling you feel. For instance, when a floor has contrast that are off with an older or too high shine, this often results in an unsafe feeling. In other words, a floor participates for 100% in the lighting design. In this regard, mainly the color and light reflectance value are of influence. They after all determine the degree of light reflectance the flooring surface has. But also, the texture and shine of a floor are of influence. With amongst others woven vinyl flooring you can create truly beautiful things, subject to the environment.”

LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUES

In what degree light is being reflected from a surface illuminated by a source of light is being measured with the light reflectance value (LRV). This involves the total amount of visible and usable light (from all wave lengths and in all directions) that is being reflected by all surfaces present. LRV is being measured from value zero (a surface completely absorbing light) to a hundred (a completely reflecting surface). Value zero is being considered as completely black, value 100 as perfect wit. Both colors, structures as the shine of materials are deciding factors for the LRV. Since together they determine in what degree light is being reflected or absorbed. Color has the biggest influence, but structure and shine can amplify or diminish the light reflectance.

WORKING SMART WITH LRV

Colors respond to light in different ways. Certain colors improve the natural brightness of the space, while others have a more darkening effect. Colors with a high LRV reflect more light, making less artificial light needed to illuminate a space. Besides this having a positive effect on the well-being of users, it also creates a direct cost reduction and environmental saving. In other words, it pays off for multiple reasons to work smart with LRV.

NTGRATE BRITE LITE

To help lighting designers and interior architects make optimal use of (natural) light in the interior, the brand ntgrate has assembled a special selection of floors: Brite Lite. Brite Lite consist of colors and patterns with the highest LRV within the ntgrate woven vinyl flooring collection. To determine the light reflectance values, the floors have been tested by an acknowledged testing center. An ideal ‘tool’ for the design of buildings and interiors where sustainability and well-being come first.

view the brite lite selection