1. What is Lumens per Square Foot?

Lumens per square foot (also called foot-candles) measures the amount of light (luminous flux) falling on a surface area. It's a crucial metric for lighting design in flooring applications to ensure proper illumination.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Total Lumens — The total light output from all light sources (measured in lumens)
• Area — The floor area to be illuminated (measured in square feet)

Explanation: This calculation helps determine how much light is distributed over each square foot of flooring.

3. Importance of Lumens Calculation

Details: Proper lighting levels are essential for safety, functionality, and aesthetics in flooring applications. Different flooring types and spaces require different lighting levels.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total lumens from all light sources and the floor area in square feet. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are recommended lumens per sq ft for different flooring types?
A: Residential spaces typically need 10-20 lm/sq ft, offices 20-50 lm/sq ft, and retail spaces 50-100+ lm/sq ft depending on the flooring material.

Q2: How does flooring color affect lumens requirements?
A: Darker flooring absorbs more light and may require higher lumens/sq ft to achieve the same brightness as lighter flooring.

Q3: Is lumens per sq ft the same as lux?
A: No, lux measures lumens per square meter (1 lux = 0.0929 lumens per sq ft). Lumens per sq ft is the imperial equivalent.

Q4: How do I calculate total lumens from light bulbs?
A: Multiply the number of bulbs by each bulb's lumen output (found on packaging). For example, 10 bulbs at 800 lumens each = 8,000 total lumens.

Q5: Should I consider light loss factors?
A: Yes, in practice you may need 20-30% more lumens to account for light loss from fixture aging, dirt accumulation, and room surface absorption.