In linear light fixtures, lenses are a great accessory to diffuse light that would otherwise be too harsh for some environments. Both frosted and prismatic lenses are considered light-diffusing lenses, but each has its own objective.
Frosted lenses are usually made with glass or polycarbonate and go through a sandblasting process to create their “frosted” look. The added texture that is created by this process is what diffuses the light that shines through the lenses.
Because of that, the light beam gets blurred around the edges and has a more consistent gradient from the center to the edges of the beam; the consistency of the gradient ensures an even light spread.
Prismatic lenses are made with glass or polycarbonate and have tiny prisms (hence the name) etched into the material. The dozens of tiny prisms act as a unit to diffuse light by widening and softening the light beam, as opposed to softening the edges of the beam and creating a uniform gradient like the frosted lenses. However, because of the prisms, these lenses have an uneven distribution of light.
In linear fixtures, the lenses are made of polycarbonate to ensure the safety of those below. The material itself has no effect on the effectiveness of the light diffusion, options are available for more flexibility of use, and for the safety of those in the environment. Both frosted and prismatic lenses control glare by diffusing the light, but prismatic lenses also widen the beam, so they’re ideal for those who are flexible with beam sizes. Meanwhile, frosted lenses are ideal for those who want more consistent lighting with the glare control benefits.
Ideal applications for frosted lenses are commercial spaces that benefit from even and softer lighting with minimal glare, or environments with low ceilings, such as office spaces, educational spaces like libraries and classrooms, receptions or lobbies, and auditoriums.
Ideal applications for prismatic lenses are commercial spaces that benefit from minimal glare and wider beams or environments with high ceilings, such as retail spaces, commercial kitchens, and landscape lighting.
Frosted vs. Prismatic: What lens is best for your linear fixture?
In linear light fixtures, lenses are a great accessory to diffuse light that would otherwise be too harsh for some environments. Both frosted and prismatic lenses are considered light-diffusing lenses, but each has its own objective.
Frosted lenses are usually made with glass or polycarbonate and go through a sandblasting process to create their “frosted” look. The added texture that is created by this process is what diffuses the light that shines through the lenses.
Because of that, the light beam gets blurred around the edges and has a more consistent gradient from the center to the edges of the beam; the consistency of the gradient ensures an even light spread.
Prismatic lenses are made with glass or polycarbonate and have tiny prisms (hence the name) etched into the material. The dozens of tiny prisms act as a unit to diffuse light by widening and softening the light beam, as opposed to softening the edges of the beam and creating a uniform gradient like the frosted lenses. However, because of the prisms, these lenses have an uneven distribution of light.
In linear fixtures, the lenses are made of polycarbonate to ensure the safety of those below. The material itself has no effect on the effectiveness of the light diffusion, options are available for more flexibility of use, and for the safety of those in the environment. Both frosted and prismatic lenses control glare by diffusing the light, but prismatic lenses also widen the beam, so they’re ideal for those who are flexible with beam sizes. Meanwhile, frosted lenses are ideal for those who want more consistent lighting with the glare control benefits.
Ideal applications for frosted lenses are commercial spaces that benefit from even and softer lighting with minimal glare, or environments with low ceilings, such as office spaces, educational spaces like libraries and classrooms, receptions or lobbies, and auditoriums.
Ideal applications for prismatic lenses are commercial spaces that benefit from minimal glare and wider beams or environments with high ceilings, such as retail spaces, commercial kitchens, and landscape lighting.
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