If your lights are flickering, something needs to be done to keep your business lit, welcoming and functioning and looking fit for purpose. It’s important to act quickly, as faulty lighting is distracting for employees and off-putting for clients. Your choices are to replace the faulty lights or to restore them.
There are compelling arguments for both options, so we will explore them both in more detail to help you determine which is best for your business.
Option 1 – Light replacement
Replacing your lights involves replacing your old fixtures with new ones. This can be done in conjunction with updating your wiring and electrics or as a standalone task.
Replacement offers many benefits – it allows you to create a fresh, modern aesthetic in your commercial premises. You may also integrate new technology, such as motion sensors, which not only improve your business’s energy efficiency but also offer enhanced functionality for your staff.
Lighting replacement is a straightforward process that can be completed quickly, and Manufacturers offer warranties on your new fixtures, covering them for unexpected breakdowns or failures.
Option 2 – Lighting restoration
Lighting restoration is the process of updating your existing light fixtures to comply with modern standards. This may involve rewiring the fixtures to allow them to accept LED or smart bulbs or restoring decorative elements to improve their function without harming their visual integrity.
Restoration is ideal for period buildings in which the light fixtures form part of their history. Where replacing them with new would create a visual distortion, sympathetic renovation keeps them functioning while maintaining the original design intent.
Restoration can be less expensive than replacement, particularly if replacement fixtures need to be custom-made to remain in keeping with the building’s character. Restoring rather than replacing light fixtures supports a circular economy and allows businesses to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection.
Lighting restoration can be more time-consuming than replacement, but businesses operating out of listed or period buildings may deem this acceptable when the alternative sacrifices the building’s architectural history.
Questions you should ask yourself
Both lighting replacement and restoration are viable options, and it is a matter of choosing which is best for your specific circumstances. To do this, you should ask yourself these questions.
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Are your current fixtures structurally sound?
If your light fixtures are structurally sound, restoration is an option. If they are broken, severely corroded or dangerous, replacement makes more sense.
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How do you visualise your space?
When you imagine your business premises, do you see sleek, shiny new fittings or an improved version of what you already have? Replacement allows you to change the visual effect and feel of your space, whereas lighting restoration enhances what you already have, making it look and function better.
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What can you afford?
If your budget is tight, restoration is usually the cheaper option. If money is less of an issue, choosing new fixtures allows you to customise your space and potentially finish the project sooner.
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Is your building listed?
There are rules about what you can change in listed properties, so check before embarking on an ambitious lighting upgrade. You may find that these rules dictate the direction of your project.
Please get in touch today if you would like to explore your options further and find the perfect solution for your business’s needs.