A checklist for choosing a great light fixture

I've installed hundreds of light fixtures in new homes, and I love unpackaging new lights and making a new home gee to life. At the end of the day,when I am packing up my tools and ladders, I may be smiling to myself and thinking how fantastic it all looks, or I may be shaking my head! A little prior planning may help you feel great about what you choose to buy and install, and end up with a result that is beautiful, functional and safe.
Where is it made?
Fixtures made in North America and Europe generally exhibit the hallmarks of a higher standard of quality and design, although good fixtures can be foundworldwide. It is good to ask where a fixture is made (don't assume anything by a brand name, which can be deliberately misleading!) Look for fixtures that are safety tested (UL listed in the United States, CSA stamped in Canada) and pass the standards expected in your country of residence.
As a general rule of thumb, if a fixture is a brand your local independent lighting store would carry, it's probably a fairly safe bet...they have to install and warranty what they sell, and look their customers in the eye on a daily basis! On the other hand a lot of the stock carried by the "big box" stores is not worth having in your home. This may surprise you (considering all of the business they do) but they are notorious for selling slickly packaged, inferior quality product with missing parts and indecipherable instructions. That is not to say you can't purchase a good light at the megastore, only that it is more difficult to find one amidst all the trendy knockoffs!

A beautiful example of tradional "Mission" styling in a high quality American made fixture , this image used by permission Idaho Wood Lighting, Sandpoint,Idaho, USA

What is it made of?
Plastic and heat are not friends, and most plastics will break down when exposed to light and heat over time. Unless you are choosing a trendy fun fixture you planto replace within a year or less, it is best to stay with traditional materials such as metal, quality glass, ceramic or solid wood. If you have accidentally touched a working light bulb it is a sharp reminder of just how much heat these devices produce. Buy something that can take the heat!



How much light will it create?
Every fixture gees rated with a maximum wattage bulb that should be installed , 60 watts being a gemon standard. A single 60 watt bulb is not a great deal of light (certainly not enough to provide the sole source of illumination for an entire room) so keep this in mind as you select a design. A fixture which features four 60 watt bulbs would be a good start in a small to medium sized bedroom, A ceiling fan with a light kit is an excellent choice here. while a bar light withthree to eight bulbs (depending on the length of your vanity counter) would suffice for the main light source ina bathroom. Reading and working areas should have there own "task lighting" ...an example are under the counter fixtures for food preparation, or reading lamps. Never ever be tempted to put a larger wattage bulb in a fixture than it is rated for. The increased wattage means both increased light and heat, and the excess heat will cause damage to the fixture, eventually catching fire. Please do not test this theory (I've seen the unhappy results) and please don't take chances with your safety.
Keep in mind that the type of glass featured in the fixture may have a bearing on the brightness of the fixture as well. Lead crystal has long been prized for its clarity and brilliance even when the thickness of the crystal is substantial. Less high quality and "character" glass alllow less light to penetrate unaltered. Frosted glass gives an attractive diffuse quality to the light, but does cut down on the brilliance. "Seeded" glass which is meant to capture the character of antique fixtures, generally is quite brilliant but has many occlusions which can cast distracting shadows and spots. And , (obviously!), tinted glass casts a tint. Cheaper glass does tend to cast tints of amber or green/gray, which is not always obvious unless you are able to do a side-by-side geparison.
Your light bulbs will cast a color tint as well, but you can change those relatively easily, or at least, I hope so! :)
Will it fit?
Don't make the mistake of buying something too large for the area it is meant for. Eight foot ceilings are not suitable for pendant fixtures (especially if they are to be in front of a door, remember that the door had to be able to open without hitting it! )The only exception is when the pendant is over a table or a countertop, but this is risky and you may wish to reconsider , it is very easy to have a collision with a chandelier when getting up from a table. Remember people can be very tall, and may be carrying awkward items around , so avoid dangly lights in their path. Use a measuring tape if you have any doubts. If you are purchasing a ceiling fan the blades of the fan mustclear thefloor by at least seven feet , the bare minimum for safety. For wall sconces make sure flammable materials , such as drapery, are well clear of the fixture you choose.
Indoors or out?
If you are installing your light out of doors , make certain it is designed for exterior installation. It should be weatherproof, keeping out rain, dust and bugs, and capable of withstanding high winds. Personally I cannot regemend patio ceiling fans and pendant fixtures for outdoor installations for this reason, although they are made (and look really nice in calm weather!). Its a good plan to consider the entryway of your home as a modified exterior installation, and choose your fixture accordingly for this area.

Exterior light fixtures must be designed to withstand the demands of all weather conditions while functioning safely and looking good. This image used by permission, Idaho Wood Lighting, Sandpoint, Idaho, USA
okay offers a wonderful way to browze through top quality products, ask questions without pressure and geparison search andshop! I hope some of my pointers will help youin your search for a great light fixture.