Linear architectural lights deliver continuous, clean illumination for modern interiors and façades. This guide explains types (recessed, surface, suspended, outdoor), key specs (lm/m, CRI, CCT, IP, drivers), Delhi-specific buying tips, installation, maintenance, and a buyer checklist so architects, contractors, and homeowners can choose the right product without searching elsewhere.
1. Why linear architectural lights matter
If you’ve walked into a modern showroom, office, or high-end apartment in Delhi, chances are you noticed long, uninterrupted lines of light that define ceilings, walls, aisles, and façades. Linear architectural lights are the design element that turns plain spaces into purposeful ones — they guide movement, emphasize form, and deliver glare-controlled, uniform light that’s essential for retail, hospitality, corporate, and residential design.
For buyers in Delhi, choosing the right linear fixture is not just about looks. You need the right brightness, colour, durability, and driver quality to handle Delhi’s dust, heat, and sometimes fluctuating electrical supply. This guide from Agarsain Bath & Lights — The Lantern explains everything a new buyer needs: what linear lights are, how they differ from other fittings, the specs that matter, how to pick the right type for your project, installation and maintenance tips, and a checklist for purchasing in Delhi.
2. What are linear architectural lights?
Linear architectural lights are luminaires that produce light along a continuous linear form — straight runs or long curves — typically using LED modules integrated into slim profiles. Unlike spotlights or downlights that create points of light, linear luminaires create even, consistent illumination over surfaces and spaces. They come as recessed (slot/trimless), surface-mounted, suspended, flexible strips, and rugged outdoor façade models.
Key benefits:
- Seamless visual lines that support minimalist design
- Uniform illuminance with low glare when specified correctly
- Energy efficiency and long life compared to traditional fluorescent options
- Flexibility in length and optics for task, accent, and general lighting
3. Types & styles
Recessed linear (trimless / slot)
- Installed into the ceiling or drywall for a seamless appearance. Ideal for modern offices, corridors, and continuous ceiling ‘rivers’. Best when you want minimal visible hardware.
Surface-mounted linear
- Mounted directly on ceilings or walls. Good for retrofits where recessing is not possible. Easier and cheaper to install.
Suspended linear
- Hung from ceilings with cables or rods. Common in offices, retail aisles, reception desks, and open-plan workspaces. Provides downward task lighting while becoming a design element.
Wall-washer / grazing linear
- Narrow optics push light across vertical surfaces to highlight texture, stonework, or artwork. Excellent for lobbies and feature walls.
Flexible linear strip (neon-replacement)
- Bendable LED strips or channel systems for curves, signage, coves, and cabinetry. Use in indirect cove lighting or custom signage.
Outdoor façade linear (IP65+)
- Weatherproof profiles for building façades, soffits, and parapets. Choose IP65 or higher with robust drivers for Delhi’s monsoon and dusty summers.
4. Technical specs explained — what actually matters
Below is a practical glossary with recommended ranges and how these affect real projects in Delhi.
Lumen output (lm) / Lumens per metre (lm/m)
- What: How much light the fixture emits. For linear products, manufacturers commonly specify lumens per metre.
- Recommendation:
- Accent/feature: 800–1,200 lm/m
- General lighting (offices/retail): 1,200–2,400 lm/m
- High-bright retail or task areas: 2,400+ lm/m
Efficacy (lm/W)
- What: How efficient an LED system is (lumens per watt).
- Recommendation: Aim for ≥100 lm/W for new installations. Higher efficacy lowers the running cost.
CCT — Correlated Colour Temperature (K)
- What: “Warm” to “cool” appearance of light.
- Recommendation (Delhi context):
- Homes & hospitality: 2,700K–3,500K (warm to neutral warm)
- Offices & retail: 3,500K–5,000K (neutral to cool)
- For tunable scenes, specify tunable-white fixtures (2700–6500K)
CRI — Colour Rendering Index
- What: How faithfully colours appear under the light.
- Recommendation: CRI ≥80 for general spaces; CRI ≥90 for retail, galleries, hospitality, and areas showing merchandise or artwork.
IP rating (Ingress Protection)
- What: Dust and water protection. Two-digit code (IP65 = dust-tight + water jets).
- Recommendation: Indoor: IP20 (protected against objects >12mm); Outdoor/exposed areas: IP65 or above.
IK rating (Impact)
- What: Resistance to mechanical impact. For public spaces where bumping is likely, choose IK08 or higher.
Driver type & dimming methods
- Onboard vs remote drivers. Dimming options: TRIAC/leading-edge, 0–10V, DALI/DALI-2, DMX for theatrical, and smart (Zigbee/DT8).
- Recommendation: For commercial projects, choose DALI (or DALI-2) for centralized, reliable control. For residential, DALI or compatible smart controllers offer flexibility.
Power factor & THD
- What: Power factor (PF) should be >0.9 and THD (total harmonic distortion) <20% to reduce electrical issues and comply with commercial standards.
Lifetime / LM figures
- Look for LM-80 data and L70/L90 lifetime claims. Example: L70 @ 50,000 hours means the output will be 70% of the initial after ~50,000 hours. Prefer L70 ≥ 50,000 hrs for long-term projects.
Materials & finishes
- Aluminum profiles with anodized or powder-coated finishes and polycarbonate/PMMA diffusers are standard. Choose UV-stable diffusers for outdoor/exposed use.
Certifications & warranties
- Ask for BIS/CE/RoHS and available LM-79/LM-80 reports. Warranty 3–5 years is common — check the driver’s warranty separately.
Practical tip: Request test reports and sample lengths (1–2 meter sample runs) to check colour uniformity and glare before final purchase.
5. Design & application use-cases
Residential: Cove lighting, kitchen island suspended rows, wardrobe, and cabinets. Prefer warm 2,700–3,500K and CRI ≥80.
Offices & Workspaces: Suspended linear over desks with asymmetrical optics to reduce screen glare. Use neutral 3,500–4,000K and DALI control for task tuning; target ~300–500 lux at desk surfaces.
Retail: Continuous runs above aisles and adjustable grazing fixtures to highlight displays. Use CRI ≥90 and 3,500–4,000K or mixed tunable white for display flexibility. Lux: 300–700 depending on product.
Hospitality & F&B: Warm ambient runs in lobbies and features lighting on walls. Focus on glare control and layered lighting.
Façade & outdoor: Linear façade washers and uplights for architectural character. Use IP65+ fixtures with surge protection and robust mounting hardware.
Recommended lux guidelines (quick):
- Offices (general): 300–500 lux desk plane
- Retail: 300–700 lux (product-dependent)
- Corridors: 100–200 lux
- Hospitality: 150–300 lux
6. Buying guide for Delhi — what to check
Climate & dust: Delhi gets hot, dusty summers and a monsoon season. For exposed installations (soffits, façades, outdoor canopies), choose IP65+ fixtures and sealed end-caps. For indoor ceiling voids that are dusty, choose sealed drivers and diffusers easy to clean.
Electrical stability: Power spikes and fluctuating supply are common. Ask for drivers with surge protection and wide input voltage ranges (e.g., 100–277V or 200–240V with surge tolerance). Check power factor (>0.9).
Local support & spares: Buy from suppliers offering local service and spare drivers/diffuser parts. This saves time and cost for long runs.
Controls & integration: For new commercial buildings, plan for DALI/DALI-2 or integrated smart control. Ensure drivers and fixtures are compatible with your BMS or control ecosystem.
Budget buckets:
- Economy: Basic LED strips in aluminium channels, CRI ~80, basic drivers. Good for tight budgets.
- Mid-range: Integrated LED modules, better drivers, CRI 80–90, some dimming options. Best value for many clients.
- Premium: High CRI (≥90), tunable white, DALI-2, emergency options, and industry-grade drivers.
Local compliance: Verify BIS certification or accepted local approvals. For public/commercial projects, ensure fixtures meet fire and building code requirements.
Where to buy: Agarsain Bath & Lights (The Lantern) showrooms, authorized dealers, or direct project sales. Ask for samples and on-site photometric simulations (IES files) for larger projects.
7. Installation & mounting (high-level)
Recessed linear (trimless/slot):
- Confirm ceiling structure and clearances.
- Cut a precise slot per profile dimensions.
- Install mounting frames and route cable to the driver location.
- Connect driver, fix profile, plaster/finish trimless edges for a seamless look.
- Test for uniform light and glare.
Surface-mounted:
- Mount brackets or backplate to the ceiling/wall.
- Route power to the driver (remote or onboard).
- Clip the profile into brackets and secure the diffuser.
Suspended:
- Install anchor points and suspension wires/rods.
- Level the run precisely.
- Route the driver and power flex to the canopy or ceiling.
- Adjust height and secure cables.
Wiring & safety: Use licensed electricians. Ensure earth continuity, appropriate cable sizing, and separate emergency lighting circuits if required. Label drivers and control cables for future maintenance.
8. Maintenance, troubleshooting & warranty
Cleaning: Dust diffusers monthly in dusty environments. Use a soft microfiber cloth and mild detergent for stubborn grime. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
Routine checks: Annual inspection for driver heat, loose connectors, and uneven light output. For outdoor fixtures, check seals and end-caps before the monsoon.
Troubleshooting:
- Flicker: likely driver or supply issue. Test with a known-good driver.
- Uneven brightness: check for failed LED modules or dirty diffusers.
- Colour shift: older LEDs or poor binning — replace modules or contact the vendor.
Spare parts: Keep spare drivers and short diffuser sections for long continuous runs. Number of runs and drivers during installation to map spare allocation.
Warranty claims: Keep the purchase invoice, photos of installation, and serial numbers. Agarsain offers product warranty and local service — contact the showroom for claim procedures (insert showroom contact details).
9. FAQs — what buyers always ask
Q1: What’s the difference between recessed and suspended linear lights?
A: Recessed is integrated into the ceiling for a clean look; suspended hangs below the ceiling and becomes a visible design element. Choose based on ceiling depth and aesthetic.
Q2: Can linear lights be used outdoors in Delhi?
A: Yes — use IP65+ rated fixtures with sealed enclosures and surge-protected drivers for façades and soffits.
Q3: How do I choose CCT and CRI?
A: Use warm (2,700–3,500K) for hospitality/residential. Neutral to cool (3,500–5,000K) for offices and retail. CRI ≥90 for true-colour retail displays.
Q4: Are linear LED lights energy efficient?
A: Yes. Modern LEDs with ≥100 lm/W drastically reduce energy vs older fluorescent options.
Q5: Can linear lights be dimmed?
A: Yes. Common methods: TRIAC, 0–10V, DALI, or smart controls. For commercial projects, DALI is recommended.
Q6: How long do they last?
A: Expect 50,000+ hours (L70) for quality modules — translates to many years of normal use.
Q7: Do long continuous runs need special care?
A: Yes — ensure drivers are sized correctly, use segmented runs with accessible driver locations, and keep spares for continuity.
Q8: What’s the lead time for custom-length runs?
A: Typical lead times vary — keep a buffer for custom finishes and lengths. Ask your supplier for exact timelines.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Linear architectural lights combine minimalist design with high performance — perfect for Delhi’s evolving commercial and residential interiors. When you choose fixtures with the right lumens-per-meter, CRI, driver quality, and IP rating, you get beautiful, durable lighting that saves energy and elevates spaces. Ready to specify linear lighting for your next project? Visit Agarsain Bath & Lights (The Lantern) for product samples, IES files, and on-site lighting consultations — or contact our lighting team to get a tailored lighting plan.