Product Questions
Q. What type of filter should I buy; tube or overlay cover?
A. NaturaLux™ fluorescent light covers and LED light covers are designed to sit atop existing plastic panels or metallic louvers. Once they are properly installed, they will stay in place and filter the light for many years to come, from re-lamping to re-lamping.
Our LED light covers can be installed inside your existing cover if you are able to remove it. If the cover is not removable, then you can affix the filter to the outside of the light fixture using double sided tape. If affixing to the outside of the LED light fixture, make sure you measure first then put your double sided tape on, then carefully affix the light filter.
Both the LED light covers and fluorescent light covers are easily cut with a sharp pair of scissors or a utility knife.
NaturaLux fluorescent light tube covers are designed to work in fixtures where there is no supporting panel or louver. The fluorescent bulb simply slides in the NaturaLux Tube Guard Sleeve, an end-cap is attached at either end of the tube, and then the bulb is twisted back in place into the fixture.
Q. What is the difference between the LED Light Cover and the Fluorescent Light Cover?
A: They provide the same benefits and are made exactly the same. They are listed separately to make it easier to find a product that fits a specific application.
Q: How can I tell what size fluorescent bulb I have?
A: Good question. Bulb diameters are measured in 1/8” increments. Therefore, a T12 is 1-1/2” (12/8 of an inch); a T8 bulb is 1” in diameter (8/8); and a T5 is 5/8” in diameter.
You can find the size of the bulb either on the outside of the box that the bulbs are sold in, or on one end of the bulb. It will either say “T12”, “T8” or “T5” mixed in with other bulb information like “F32T8SP35.” In this example, the F32 relates the wattage;T8 refers to the diameter, and the SP35 refers to the color temperature (3500K).
Q: Will my lighting be much darker with the filters?
A: One of the most common reasons customers purchase our NaturaLux Filters is because their existing lighting is too bright. Overly bright lighting causes glare, and glare causes headaches, eyestrain, visual fatigue and blurred vision. NaturaLux filters only reduce light output by 18%, allowing 82% of the light through. By reducing the over-abundance (20%) of light, the glare is eliminated.
For very intense lighting situations, you may need two filters in place.
Learn more about reducing eyestrain.
Q: How do I know if I have glare in my office?
A: A very simple, yet effective way to determine if you have glare in your visual environment is to place your open hand, like you are saluting, over your eyebrows. If it becomes much easier on your eyes when you do this, you most-likely are dealing with glare.
Q: I have lupus; will your filters help protect me from UV exposure?
A: NaturaLux Filters eliminate 100% of UV up to 380nm, up to 99% up to 390nm, and up to 80% up to 400nm. Many lupus patients have told us that they can now be under the NaturaLux filtered light for an entire work shift with no effects from the UV rays.
Learn more about lupus light filters.
Q: How long do NaturaLux Filters last?
A: Our NaturaLuxTM Filter Overlay Lenses are designed to filter out UV rays, color correct the light and reduce glare for over 10 years. Our NaturaLuxTM Tube Guard Sleeves perform the same functions for a period of about 6-7 years.
Q: What color temperature bulbs should I use with NaturaLux Filters?
A: To achieve optimal color balance, we recommend using either 4100K or 5000K bulbs. Our experience has taught us that 3500K lights are too orange, and 6500K bulbs are too bluish-green to permit proper color rendering.
Q:What is the difference between using NaturaLux Filters and full spectrum bulbs?
A: So-called “full spectrum” bulbs use a mixture of red, green and blue phosphors to obtain a better color rendering index (CRI) value for their bulbs. Colors viewed under a higher CRI are more accurate than viewing them under a lower CRI light source. While many of these bulbs may initially be full spectrum, the red phosphors decay at an accelerated rate, and cause the bulb to lose its full spectrum capabilities. NaturaLux Filters, on the other hand, use special colored pigments that are embedded within a plastic material to achieve a more natural, color- accurate and color balanced light. The UV absorbing material we use also helps prevent the fading or discoloration of our products over time.
Learn more about full spectrum light.
Q: Where Do You Ship To?
A: We can ship anywhere. For shipments outside the United States, please fill out a quote request form.
Yes, we ship to Canada frequently.
Q: Can I make a tax exempt purchase?
A: For purchases without sales tax, please fill out a quote request.
Q: Can I just test them out?
Sometimes our customers want to try out a small amount of light filter products before committing to a larger purchase. Here is our recommendation.
We recommend that customers cover all lights in an 8′ foot radius of an individual. If you are looking to evaluate the product, we recommend a small enclosed room or office. The reason is you would have unfiltered light mixing with filtered light, which would dilute the effects of the product.
Q: Can I Return the Product if it doesn’t work for me?
A: read our return policy here. If the product is in it’s original condition, then generally a return will be accepted.
Q: Do You Have Discounts?
A: some of our products come in multi-pack quantities that have discounts built into the total price. We also offer some discounts for non-profits, teachers who pay out of pocket and other discretionary circumstances. Please contact us to see if you qualify.
Q: I’m looking to tone down the brightness of our LED lights. I’m not sure if this will work?
A: It will tone it down. Some LEDs are super bright so some of our customers have used two filters on each light. You can expect a reduction of the light by about 18%. The glare will be removed and the light will be color corrected, which will soften the light.
Q: Do they filters come in other colors?
A: The light covers are specifically colored to enhance the color spectrum and have a purple-ish blue hue to them. They do not come in any other colors, and that is good because then they would not be effective. Once installed, you will likely not notice the color of the filter too much. They blend in and give a professional appearance.
Q: Are there any cheaper shipping options?
A: Our products ship FedEx and they calculate the rates based on what you order and where it is going. If the price seems high please note the following:
- Tube filters are 4′ long and require a large box.
- For the flat covers, it costs the same to ship one as it does 6 or 8. The more you order the more cost effective shipping can become.
- Please contact us for more questions.
Q: Does Make Great Light cut the filters or are there custom sizes available?
A: We do not offer custom cut sizes. The panels are pretty easy to cut with a straightedge and razor or a good pair of scissors. See our installation instructions.
Q: Who typically buys Make Great Light filters?
A: We sell lighting solutions for offices, education, government, healthcare, industrial and retail. Below is a list of example customers.
Fluorescent Light Covers and LED Light Cover Properties (flat sheet covers)
| Filter Type | Dimensions | Weight Per Unit |
| Overlay Panel | 23 1/4” X 48” X .015” | 0.7 lbs |
| Physical | ASTM Test Method | Units | Typical Values |
| Specific Gravity | D-792 | — | 1.16 |
| Rockwell Hardness | D-785 | (M Scale) | 40 |
| Coefficient of Linear Expansion | D-696 | in/in/ºF | 4.5 x 10-5 |
| Water Absorption, 24 hours | D-570 | % max | 0.42 |
| Optical | ASTM Test Method | Units | Typical Values |
| Light Transmission | D-1003 | total white % | 91.7 |
| Haze | % | <1.8 | |
| Refractive Index ND | D-542 | — | 1.49 |
| Mechanical | ASTM Test Method | Units | Typical Values |
| Tensile Strength | D-638 | psi | 6,500 |
| Tensile Modulus | D-638 | psi | 255,000 |
| Tensile Elongation @ Break | D-638 | % | 38 |
| Flexural Strength | D-790 | psi | 8,890 |
| Flexural Modulus | D-790 | psi | 260,000 |
| Notched (IZOD) Milled | D-256 | ft. lb./in. of notch | 1.20 |
| Thermal | ASTM Test Method | Units | Typical Values |
| Deflection Temperature Under Load:
@ 264 psi – Annealed |
D-648 | ºF | 176 |
| Vicat Softening Point Unannealed | D-1525 | ºF | 227 |
| Glass Transition
Temperature Tg |
D-3418 | ºF | 226 |
| Continuous Service Temperature Range | ºF | 150-170 |
PLEASE NOTE: Properties reported here are typical of average lots.