What are Drop Ceiling Lights?

Drop ceiling lights are square or rectangular-shaped lighting panels that are placed in what are typically referred to as drop ceilings, T-bar ceilings, grid ceilings or suspended ceilings. They can be laid into a ceiling grid in which they are recessed and sit above the grid but can also be suspended or surface mounted. Fluorescent and LED drop ceiling lights illuminate indoor spaces by focusing light down and out from the fixture.

Where are Drop Ceiling Lights Used?

Drop ceiling lighting panels are typically used in commercial and industrial applications. Examples include offices, conference rooms, classrooms, showrooms, hospitals, warehouses, auditoriums, hallways, libraries or retail spaces. Below are examples of how drop ceiling lights can be used: Office Space Lighting Commercial Kitchen Lighting Laboratory Lighting Classroom Lighting Dental Office Lighting

What are the Different Types of Drop Ceiling Lights?

The two main types of drop ceiling lights are troffer lights and flat panel lights . Troffers utilize fluorescent tubes, LED tubes or integrated LED arrays. Flat panels have integrated LED arrays only. Both types of suspended ceiling light fixtures typically come in three different sizes, 1 foot by 4 foot (1x4), 2 foot by 2 foot (2x2) and 2 foot by 4 foot (2x4). These variable sizes allow for flexible installation in ceiling grids and T-bars. The 1x4 and 2x2 sizes can fit more easily in narrow or tight spaces. Troffers and flat drop ceiling lighting panels utilize lenses, diffusers, baskets, parabolic louvers and reflectors to manage glare or brightness and evenly distribute light. Lenses are designed to direct light into a beam pattern which makes it more focused. They are typically clear or frosted. Diffusers scatter (or spread) the light, which reduces the sharpness of shadows and softens the light. They are often made of acrylic or polycarbonate. Baskets usually placed in the center of a troffer, are used to focus light upwards, bouncing downward off a reflector towards the ground, making it more dispersed and with less glare. They also provide a pleasant aesthetic appearance. Parabolic louvers contain "cells" which help to provide additional direct light output and are also used to provide visual appeal.

What Are the Benefits of LED Drop Ceiling Lights?

LED drop ceiling lighting panel technology has developed to the point that the benefits far outweigh the initial increased cost. Lighting quality is superior in terms of color rendering, color temperature and lumen output (compared to wattage used). LED drop ceiling lights provide a more balanced foot candle in the area below. LED troffer lights are dimmable. LED suspended ceiling lights have a much longer lifespan which means that the lights need to be replaced less frequently than other types. Although LED drop ceiling lighting panels are more expensive initially, the additional costs are more than made up for in the long term because they consume much less energy than conventional lights. This saves on utility costs over time. They also don't waste energy emitted as heat.

Drop Ceiling Lights

Drop ceiling lights will ensure your space looks its best every day. They are a great choice for any location in which you need powerful lighting for a large area but also want your fixtures to be out of the way and discreet. We have many attractive drop ceiling lights options such as troffer light fixtures (including LED troffer options), recessed LED ceiling lighting, and other types of drop ceiling lights. Browse our commercial drop ceiling lights products below, and also be sure to read our helpful blog, “Best Drop Ceiling Lights for Suspended Ceilings ”.

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