Bathroom Lighting

Damp vs. Wet: A Guide to Shower Lighting

Shower LightingWhen it comes to lighting a shower, it is critical that you make sure that you are installing lights that can withstand water. It’s important to be able to differentiate between the kinds of lights you can put in a shower. Let’s talk about which ones are the best options.

Damp vs. Wet Locations

For those people who are novices to shower lighting, you might not know the kinds of fixtures that even go in a shower to begin with. Damp locations are either exterior or interior locations that are subjected to condensation or moisture, whether or not they are protected. Moisture, in these cases, often occurs in, on, or near electrical equipment.

Wet locations, on the other hand, are subject to much more water. These spaces involve dripping, splashing, and flowing all over your electrical equipment. As such, light fixtures that go in these spaces must be constructed to prevent water reaching any live electricity or conductors that simply should not be in contact with water.

Shower Lighting

It goes without saying that showers are wet locations. Lighting can be a little dicey in wet locations, but without lights, showers can also be cavernous and shadowy, hardly a welcoming place for any working person to spend the first few pre-caffeinated moments of the day.

As a result, recessed shower lighting is an appropriate measure to take. Select an approved wet location fixture with a high quality trim resistant to water. This involves a combination of a rubber gasket with a glass diffuser, which creates a barrier for the actual light fixture so that no water can enter.

Contrary to popular belief, recessed shower lights are not all created equal. In fact, there are a number of options available for highly attractive recessed shower lights, from the more traditional inconspicuous and largely unremarkable versions to an elegant and individualized trim to complement the style of the rest of the bathroom. The myriad of lenses available can add to the aesthetic, and include frosted lenses, opal glass, Fresnel, or albalite. For a more even diffusion of light, a domed glass diffuser can be an excellent choice.

Of course, a light bulb that is compatible with the bathroom and light fixture is critical for a shower light. Traditionally, halogen lamps have been used, but more and more people are opting for LED models for a far more energy efficient lighting system.

Whatever the shower light, it is critical to be aware that the light is appropriately rated and safe for a wet location, because showers are different from any other room in a home.

 

 

 

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