Parabolic lenses.....

Status
Not open for further replies.
MRI

MRI

Member
I looked at a small job yesterday at a small hair salon. The owner has four rooms in which they cut/shampoo hair and do nails. The rooms each have one 2X4 drop in 4 lamp fluorescent fixture with 1/2"X1/2" parabolic lenses. These small openings seem to really be restricting the light. The walls are a dark gray so that doesn't help with reflecting light. The owner wants more light but wants to start with just changing the lenses out to egg crates with larger openings like 6"X6". Do you think this lens change will make enough of a difference or should I push additional fixtures, maybe another 2X4 or some recessed lighting, although she said she didn't like the idea of recessed because of the heat.
 
barbeer said:
I would even try removing your parabolic lens and trying a prismatic diffuser.
Click to expand...
Agreed. You can buy the lenses seprataely. Even HD sells them. They come in both fixture-lens and full 2x4 tile sizes, so don't get the wrong ones.

Make sure you have frames that will accept new lenses, or you may be stuck with tile-size lenses, and you'll have to lift the fixture to get to the tubes and ballasts.
 
I agree with barbeer and Larry, you'll always get more light diffusion with a prismatic lens. While you may improve the lighting a bit with the larger parabolic lenses you'll always get shadows along the wall. On the other hand, using prismatic lenses will make the space look more bright-white and "clinical" (for lack of a better term).
 
I asked the owner about that yesterday and she said she likes the "upper end" look of the silver parabolics, so she wants them changed out to larger ones....hey its her $$$....I'll probably end up going back and adding another fluorescent or a few recessed lights in each room.
 
MRI said:
although she said she didn't like the idea of recessed because of the heat.
Click to expand...

Try a fluorescent can with a alzak trim, very little heat when compared to incandescent, great for punching up light levels in tight areas.

Visual also has a lighting design program that you can download for free.(basic version) Pro version is only about $100.
It's very helpful in seeing the difference lumen output from fixture to fixture. Lightiolier has one on their website as well.
 
Last edited:
MRI said:
The owner wants more light but wants to start with just changing the lenses out to egg crates with larger openings like 6"X6". QUOTE]

Not to insult your intelligence MRI, but keep in mind those little "egg crates" lenses are usually only an inch or so deep aren't they? A standard 12 cell or 18 cell diffuser is more like 4" deep, make sure the housing will accomodate a deeper parabolic lens.
Click to expand...
 
iwire said:
Please say you would never ever do that.

eek
Click to expand...
"I would never do that." :cool:

But I have seen a DIY basement suspended ceiling done that way.

And, I really wouldn't; I'm aware of the two sizes.
 
Not to insult your intelligence MRI, but keep in mind those little "egg crates" lenses are usually only an inch or so deep aren't they? A standard 12 cell or 18 cell diffuser is more like 4" deep, make sure the housing will accomodate a deeper parabolic lens.[/QUOTE]


This is a good point....my supplier originally told me I couldnt get the 18 cell for that fixture due to the depth, then after some research he tells me it will fit so I ordered them....we'll see.
 
MRI said:
I looked at a small job yesterday at a small hair salon. The owner has four rooms in which they cut/shampoo hair and do nails. The rooms each have one 2X4 drop in 4 lamp fluorescent fixture with 1/2"X1/2" parabolic lenses. These small openings seem to really be restricting the light. The walls are a dark gray so that doesn't help with reflecting light. The owner wants more light but wants to start with just changing the lenses out to egg crates with larger openings like 6"X6". Do you think this lens change will make enough of a difference or should I push additional fixtures, maybe another 2X4 or some recessed lighting, although she said she didn't like the idea of recessed because of the heat.
Click to expand...

Cheapest fix (?): Have you explored relamping/ballasting to a higher output lamp?

I'd point out that if it's a dark paint on the wall, it's entirely possible that there's nothing you'll be able to do to these fixtures to get rid of the 'cave' effect.

If there aren't any other sources in the space, I'd look at floor lamps in the corners and/or surface-mount cove lighting along the walls (if long) to get some light up along the top of the walls - I'm sure those parabolics aren't kicking much (if any) light up there, and that'd be your direct fix to any "cave" effect.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top