Oct 09, 2026 / By the Lumibox team / in LED Guides
LED lighting in Canada has moved well past the simple bulb swap. Today a homeowner, a contractor or a property manager can choose from pot lights, flat panels, flush mounts, strip lights, lighted mirrors, high bays and outdoor fixtures, each with its own specification sheet. This buying guide explains how to read those sheets, which product family fits which job, and how residential and commercial needs differ.
Think of this page as a hub. Each section points you to the right product category or to a more detailed guide, so you can go from a general question ("what LED lighting do I need?") to a precise fixture in a few clicks. Whether you are renovating a kitchen, finishing a basement or relighting a warehouse, start here.
Every LED fixture is described by a handful of values. Once you know what they mean, comparing two products takes seconds instead of guesswork.
Watts (W) tell you how much electricity a fixture draws. Lumens (lm) tell you how much light it actually produces. With LED, the two are no longer tied the way they were with incandescent bulbs, so always shop by lumens first. For example, a surface-mounted wall light rated 10W and 883 lm tells you both its draw and its output at a glance. To know how many lumens a room needs, see our guide on how many lumens per room.
Colour temperature, measured in kelvins (K), describes how warm or cool the light looks. Across the catalogue you will find values from 2700K and 3000K (warm white, cozy for living rooms and bedrooms) through 3500K and 4000K (neutral white, popular in kitchens, offices and stores) up to 5000K, 5700K and 6500K (cool, daylight-like light for garages, workshops and warehouses). Many fixtures are labelled 3CCT or 5CCT: a switch lets you pick the colour temperature on site, which simplifies ordering and keeps one model for several rooms.
CRI (IRC in French) measures how faithfully colours look under the light, on a scale up to 100. Most general-purpose products are rated CRI 80 or higher; CRI 90 is the better choice where colours matter, such as kitchens, bathrooms, retail displays and art. Some downlights in the catalogue reach CRI 98.
Residential fixtures and bulbs usually run on 120V. Commercial fixtures often accept a range such as 120-277V, and many panels and high bays are also offered in 347V, a common voltage in Canadian commercial and industrial buildings. Strip lights, cabinet lights and some landscape fixtures run on low voltage (12V or 24V) through a power supply. Always match the fixture to the voltage available on the circuit.
The IP rating describes protection against dust and water. IP20 or IP40 suits dry interiors, IP54 handles splashes, IP65 resists water jets and IP67 tolerates temporary immersion. North American sheets also use Damp Location (bathrooms, covered porches) and Wet Location (exposed to rain). For recessed fixtures, an IC rating means the housing can be in contact with insulation.
A fixture marked dimmable still needs a compatible control. Residential products typically use TRIAC or ELV dimmers on the line voltage; commercial panels, troffers and high bays more often use 0-10V dimming, which works with building controls and sensors. Check the dimming type before choosing a dimmer.
In Canada, a fixture must carry a recognized safety mark such as cUL, CSA or cETL to be installed legally and accepted by inspectors and insurers. DLC and DLC Premium listings identify efficient commercial fixtures and are often required for efficiency programs. Energy Star covers many residential bulbs and fixtures.
| Value | What it tells you | Typical values in the catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| W | Power draw | 3W bulbs to 50W panels |
| K (CCT) | Warm or cool light | 2700K to 6500K, 3CCT and 5CCT |
| CRI | Colour accuracy | 80, 90, up to 98 |
| V | Supply voltage | 12V, 24V, 120V, 120-277V, 347V |
| IP | Dust and water protection | IP20, IP40, IP54, IP65, IP67 |
| Dimming | Control type | TRIAC, ELV, 0-10V |
Here are the families most buyers need, with a link to each category.
Recessed lighting is the most popular choice for homes and condos: slim pot lights sit flush with the ceiling and deliver clean, even light. Most round downlights come in 3-4 in and 5-6 in sizes, often with 5CCT selection and IC ratings. To plan the layout, read how many pot lights you need or use the recessed lighting calculator.
LED panels replace fluorescent troffers in suspended ceilings, in 1x4, 2x2 and 2x4 formats. They are the standard for offices, schools, clinics and basements with drop ceilings. A typical example is the 2x2 flat panel fixture, a 40W, 4000K, 120-277V panel. Many panels are DLC listed and offer 0-10V dimming.
LED ceiling lights are the easy upgrade when you already have a ceiling box: hallways, closets, bedrooms and laundry rooms. Some models, like the Series 302 three-light ceiling fixture, take GU10 bulbs so you choose the colour temperature and CRI yourself.
LED bulbs keep your existing fixtures and cut consumption: A19, PAR, GU10, MR16, filament and decorative globes for homes, plus corn and HID retrofit lamps for commercial fixtures. Check the base, the voltage (120V for household sockets, 12V for many MR16) and whether the bulb is dimmable.
Indoor LED strips light coves, cabinets, stairs and shelves. A strip such as the 24V strip at 4.8W/m and 624 lm/m, 3000K is a good all-round choice. Pair it with aluminium profiles to spread heat and hide the dots. Our guide on how to choose LED strip lights covers COB vs SMD, 12V vs 24V and power supplies.
LED mirrors combine a vanity light and a mirror, with front-lit, backlit and cabinet versions. Look for anti-fog, CCT selection and the right size for your vanity; the LED mirror buying guide explains each option.
UFO LED high bays and linear high bays are built for high ceilings: warehouses, gyms, shops and garages with tall doors. Many offer selectable wattage and CCT, 120-277V or 347V drivers and DLC listings. The high bay calculator helps estimate how many fixtures you need.
Outside, look for Wet Location or IP65 ratings and a photocell or motion sensor where useful. LED floodlights and wall packs secure parking lots and building walls, while LED landscape lighting highlights gardens, paths and decks. Small low-voltage fixtures like the Deckstar recessed deck light (12V DC, 0.5W, IP67, 3000K) mark steps safely at night.
Each room has its own mix of ambient, task and accent lighting. Our room pages bring together the right categories:
Residential projects are about comfort and looks. You will mostly work with 120V fixtures, warm or selectable CCT, TRIAC or ELV dimming and cUL or CSA certification. Slim pot lights, flush mounts, LED mirrors and strips dominate, and a good CRI makes finishes and food look right.
Commercial projects add constraints. Fixtures often run on 120-277V or 347V, use 0-10V dimming and sensors, and benefit from DLC or DLC Premium listings. Panels, troffers, linear fixtures, high bays, wall packs and emergency lighting do most of the work. Code requirements for exit signs and emergency lighting must be planned from the start. Contractors and property managers will find more detail in our commercial LED lighting guide for Quebec.
| Criterion | Residential | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 120V, 12V or 24V for strips | 120-277V, 347V |
| Colour temperature | 2700K to 3500K, 3CCT or 5CCT | 3500K to 5000K |
| Dimming | TRIAC, ELV | 0-10V, sensors |
| Certification | cUL, CSA, Energy Star | cUL, CSA, DLC, DLC Premium |
| Typical families | Pot lights, ceiling lights, mirrors, strips | Panels, high bays, wall packs, emergency |
Lumens. Watts only tell you how much power a fixture uses. Compare products by lumen output first, then pick the one that delivers it with the lowest wattage.
Choose 2700K or 3000K for living rooms and bedrooms, 3000K to 4000K for kitchens and bathrooms, and 4000K to 5000K for garages and workshops. A 3CCT or 5CCT fixture lets you decide after installation.
Look for a recognized Canadian safety mark such as cUL, CSA or cETL. For commercial projects, DLC or DLC Premium listings confirm the fixture's efficiency.
They are built for different electrical systems. 120-277V drivers cover common residential and commercial circuits, while 347V is used in many Canadian commercial and industrial buildings. Check your circuit before ordering.
No. Only fixtures marked dimmable can be dimmed, and the dimmer must match the type listed on the sheet: TRIAC, ELV or 0-10V.
For fixtures exposed to rain, choose IP65 or a Wet Location rating. IP67 is suited to fixtures that may sit in water, such as in-ground or deck lights.
Ready to start? Browse recessed lighting, LED panels or LED strips, or pick the room page that matches your project.
