Kitchen Lignt fixture quandry
+15
I have an old eighties fluorescent light fixture in the kitchen ceiling, and one of the drop panels is broken, so I need to replace all four because they are yellowed. Most places don't even carry the panels, and the ones that do, reviews say they crack and break, and the decorative ones online are too expensive and the wrong size. I would like to make them myself, out of a less brittle plastic, that will take the heat of the bulbs, and let light through. Each panel is 20" x 28.5". Any ideas on what kind of plastic, and where to buy the plastic itself, and/or decorating them, as well.
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
You should be able to find them at HD or Lowe's.
I went to my local glass company taking with me the measurements of one of the panels. The company cut the diffuser panels out of their stock of 4X8 plastic sheets. It was so much cheaper than a decor store!
You might try here ..... https://www.1800ceiling.com/lighting-products/replacement-light-lens-covers
Hi Colleen, Here's a link to several ideas for decorative light panels! https://www.pinterest.com/explore/fluorescent-light-covers/?lp=true
They have some pretty cool products out there now! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/147844800248642350/
Good luck!
I purchased stock panels at Lowes and laid on a towel in the sun. Used the old panel as a template, penciled my cuts and used an exacto type knife to slowly score the plastic so it would not crack when bent. Laying in the sun softened them up a bit to make the job easier for me. I have a version of your lights in both my bathrooms - a construction project, not yet in the budget.
I want to know where to get the handyman just to come in, replace my 90s fluorescent kitchen light with something more modern, and redo the popcorn ceiling while he's at it Best wishes 😇
oops! The above reply was not quite finished. I meant a free handyman because my husband says he's too busy. He's almost 76. It's a joke between us and you. @Colleen. I hope you find what you are are looking for.
If there is a Habitat for Humanity store near you, check it out. I found two "looks new" florescent fixtures with more modern covers there a couple years ago, so had a friend replace both. Think they were about $10 each for the whole new fixture. Saw an identical extra cover there and it turned out to be free since it had no fixture with it. So I have a backup cover. They aren't my "forever" lights - that will be can lights maybe pendants when I remodel, but they are great for now. Now I need to look for new bathroom fan lights because that plastic is very yellow (burned) and new ones - oy..