Approximate Reflectance Values of Typical Building Finishes

Date July 25, 2018
Categories Knowledge

The effect a lighting system creates in an interior is strongly influenced by the properties of the room surfaces. Surface Reflectance greatly assists with light levels. Areas with low reflectance levels need more light to achieve the same lux levels.

Indirect Light works very well in areas with high reflectance surfaces. High reflectance areas soften shadows. In contrast, low reflectance surface accentuate shadows.

At Decrolux, we always try to understand surfaces in our projects, to more accurately calculate lighting levels.

Asphalt

SurfaceReflectanceMaterial
Ceilings0.80White Paint on Plain Plasterboard
0.70White Paint on Acoustic Tile
0.60White Paint on Non-fines Concrete
Wall0.80White Paint on Plasterboard; Tiles
0.40White Fibre Cement; Brick; Concrete, Light Grey, Smooth
0.30Brick, Common
0.25Concrete, light grey; Cement, rough; Brick, red: Timber Panelling, light oak, mahogany
0.2Timber Panelling; Dark
0.15Brick; Dark
0.05Black Chalkboard
Floors & Furniture0.80Paper, White
0.45PVC Tiles; Cream, Carpet; Light Grey
0.35Timber; Light
0.25Timber; Medium, PVC Tiles; Brown, marbled, Carpet; Green
0.20Timber; Dark
0.10Tiles; Red, Carpet; Dark,
Sports0.60Snow/Ice
0.60Beach Sand
0.40Concrete
0.35Synthetic Grass
0.25Grass
0.10Asphalt
0.1/0.2Coloured Court - dark/light blue, dark/light green
0.05/0.15Coloured Court - Brown, Sand, Tan, Clay

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