11 Types of Lighting Materials: Which Suits You?

Eleven types of materials for making lights

Different materials have different functions, and every material is suitable for making lights in different styles.

Acrylic plastic material

Plastic is lightweight and simple in processing, usually used for indoor lights. The disadvantage is that it ages faster, easy to deform when heated.

The best plastic is acrylic. Even if acrylic is exposed to the natural environment for a long time, its performance is still stable, and not easy to age, deform or break. Its transmittance can reach more than 92%, and it is easy to be processed. The surface can be treated with spray painting, silk screen printing, coating, and other techniques. So it suits a wide range of products, such as household lighting, commercial lighting, creative lights, smart lighting, etc.

Metal material

Metals are widely used in manufacturing lights, especially for LED lights. Materials with good corrosion resistance, such as copper, and stainless steel, can be used as outdoor lamps. Here I list 4 common types of metals for you to choose from.

Copper

Copper is highly malleable, and can be made into many different shapes, such as petals, geometry, and lines. And its durability is also high. Many buyers use it to make garden light fixtures for decoration. In this way, even if there is rust, many people think that it can mix with the surrounding environment without compromising the aesthetics.

Brass

Since brass is a copper alloy, it also has the advantages of copper, such as good durability. Brass does not attract dust easily, so it doesn’t need frequent cleaning or maintenance. It can fit almost any home style, such as retro style, Nordic style, etc. Brass lamps are a very popular trend now.

Because the price of brass is relatively high, some manufacturers use iron or aluminum plating to make fake brass. You should pay attention to distinguishing when purchasing it.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel covers a diverse range of steel alloys. Although the properties of different stainless steel alloys vary widely, they all have fairly high strength and high-temperature resistance. Since it is also not prone to rust, many buyers use it for bathroom lighting. 201 and 304 stainless steel are the most common types.

At the same time, stainless steel tubes can be made into different colors after electroplating, and can be processed to give off a high-end sense of the material itself, which is suitable for making high-end lamps and also conforms to the aesthetics of modern people.

Aluminum

Aluminum is easily processed into various shapes, and it is lightweight. Because pure aluminum is too soft, most buyers will choose to use aluminum alloy to make the lamp shell, which then has a higher hardness. Aluminum also has good heat dissipation, suitable for making LED lamp shells to prolong their service span. Furthermore, the price of aluminum is lower than that of many other metals, such as copper, and stainless steel.

Glass

The transmittance of glass is good, which can maximize the lighting effect. It is also highly malleable, and can be made into different textures and colors. This kind of material will not appear yellowing and fading after a long time. And it is easy to clean and maintain, suitable for homes and entertainment places.

Crystal

Crystal is clear and transparent, with excellent light transmission and oxidation resistance. It is also highly resistant to high temperatures and wear. Lighting fixtures made of crystal have exquisite and fashionable designs, and they are often used in high-end places such as villas.

Crystal is quite expensive. Nowadays, most of the crystals used on the market are artificially made, and if you use natural crystals, the cost will be even higher. Please note that in today’s market, glass is often used to imitate crystals.

Ceramic

Ceramics are very suitable for making decorative lampshades for floor lamps and pendant lights. It feels smooth and can be processed into various colors and glazes. You can also paint various patterns on the surface to create exquisite styles. If with higher requirements, you can use porcelain produced in Jingdezhen, which is highly delicate in workmanship and style. Of course, the price will be higher.

Fabric

Fabric comes in a wealth of different materials, such as cotton, silk, parchment, marbled paper, linen, etc., and each has its own special qualities. The texture of the fabric is soft and easy to shape, making it a great decorative element that is well-suited in bedrooms or dining rooms.

You can also adjust the light transmission and color of the fabric based on its thickness, color, and even coating, so that the lighting is softer and less harsh on the eyes. Another advantage of fabric is that it is durable and easy to clean, and most can be washed directly in a washing machine. However, its disadvantage is that it is relatively flammable.

Plaster

The plaster feels fine and smooth. It can be used to create various complex and delicate shapes. It also has stable performance that is not easily affected by thermal expansion. Currently, plaster lights are popular, which can be directly embedded into the wall, allowing the lamp and the wall or ceiling to blend perfectly, enriching the aesthetic of the space.

Cement

Cement is highly plastic and decorative. Lampshades made of cement have various shapes and unique styles, which are suitable for industrial-style decoration.

Nowadays, plain concrete and microcement are mainstream materials. Plain concrete is relatively environmentally friendly, and lampshades made from this material can be shaped in a mold for one time, but the process involved is quite complex. Microcement, on the other hand, has strong wear resistance and waterproofing properties, making it suitable for various environments, and ideal for outdoor decorative lights.