Skip to content
Address LightingLighting culture & awareness

Home / Knowledge library / Spec explained

Spec explained

The colour-accuracy advantage (CRI 95+)

Reviewed under Eng. Abdullah Al Balushi

“Furnished your home with the most expensive brands, but the colours look dull? The fault isn't the furniture!”

The problem

Cheap lamps distort natural colour tones.

Technical explanation

CRI is the measure of colour rendering. If it is above 95, colours will appear completely true, just as you see them in sunlight.

The result

Showing the property, furniture and artwork at their brightest and most beautiful.

Related to

Similar entries

Common mistakeFacade lighting and windows

“You installed powerful floodlights on your villa facade, but the light hits the windows and keeps you up at night?”

The problem
Aiming facade lights at a wide, random angle lets light spill into the bedrooms.
Technical explanation
Exterior lighting needs a very narrow beam and precise aiming (Narrow beam) so it lights only the architectural details without causing disturbance.
The result
An eye-catching, elegant facade, with complete calm and comfortable darkness inside the bedrooms.

Page for this entry

Common mistakeThe facade-lighting mistake of mounting flush to the wall

“Want your facade light to throw a stunning beam? Don't mount it flush against the wall!”

The problem
Mounting wall lights flush against the wall creates a harsh, very distracting Hotspot that spoils the facade.
Technical explanation
Moving the fitting slightly away from the wall and choosing the correct aiming angle gives a long, ideal beam that highlights the villa's height up to 16 m.
The result
A facade that catches the eye of the whole neighbourhood, at low cost and with smart installation.

Page for this entry

Common mistakeDotted light (Dots) on shelves

“You made luxurious marble shelves, and the strip's reflection shows up as dots? There goes the luxury!”

The problem
Installing a standard LED strip above glossy surfaces (marble or mirrors), which reflects the LED dots and looks cheap.
Technical explanation
Glossy surfaces need either a dot-free strip (COB LED) or an aluminium profile with a Diffuser that hides the dots completely.
The result
A smooth, continuous line of light that feels refined and luxurious.

Page for this entry

Common mistakeOverdoing outdoor lighting (Floodlights)

“Installed stadium floodlights on your villa facade? You haven't lit it up, you've washed out its features!”

The problem
Flooding the facade with wide light erases the architectural details and creates light pollution.
Technical explanation
Highlighting a facade needs a well-planned layout of upward and downward Spotlights with narrow beams to create “contrast” between light and shadow, because shadow is what reveals the beauty.
The result
A palace-like facade with a far smaller electricity and installation budget.

Page for this entry

Common mistakeFalse savings on the lighting budget

“Want to save on your lighting budget? Don't buy cheap, use the “hybrid system”!”

The problem
Buying cheap products for the whole villa to save money, which leads to burnt-out fittings and double the maintenance cost.
Technical explanation
The hybrid system means combining very high-spec fittings (for the majlis, living rooms and facade) with mid-range fittings (for service rooms and storerooms).
The result
Cutting costs by up to 40% while keeping 100% of the luxury in the areas guests see.

Page for this entry

Common mistakeLight pollution and disturbing the neighbours

“Installed lights on your home's facade, but the light reaches your neighbour's bedroom?”

The problem
Aiming outdoor lights at wide, random angles causes light pollution and disturbs the surroundings.
Technical explanation
Using outdoor lights with a narrow beam (Narrow Beam <15°) keeps the light on the facade column only, without spilling into windows.
The result
An elegant, well-defined facade, and complete comfort for your family and neighbours.

Page for this entry

Common mistakeDirect lighting in dressing rooms

“Your clothes look one colour in the wardrobe and another once you step outside?”

The problem
Using low-CRI lights and placing the light behind the person
Technical explanation
Dressing rooms need CRI 95 or above, with directional lighting inside the wardrobes or between the person and the mirror to avoid shadows and false colours
The result
Perfect elegance and choosing the right colours for your clothes every day

Page for this entry

Common mistakeLighting glass windows

“Have lights aimed at your living room windows? You've just blinded your guests!”

The problem
Aiming light at glass makes it act like a mirror, reflecting harsh light into the eyes and blocking the view of the garden.
Technical explanation
Light should be directed at walkways and solid walls (Wall Washer), completely avoiding reflective surfaces.
The result
A comfortable living room at night with a clear view of the garden.

Page for this entry

Guide values; the final decision rests with a qualified engineer under the applicable code.

MistakesFree consultation