We work with many different clients in many different environments and over 10 years we have been able to perfect our backlighting offering.

We are often contacted by Designers, Architects, Contractors and homeowners about backlighting onyx but often the client looks through our portfolio and sees other surface materials that are a lot more intriguing

Some examples of the products that we specialize in illuminating are shown below

Onyx:

A great alternative to granite, marble, and other more popular stone surfaces, onyx provides a sleek and modern look to any workspace. Onyx is formed in caves as stalactites and stalagmites drip to form this precious stone. Onyx Countertops are a rarity as they bring a unique appearance with strikingly dramatic appeal.

Quartzite

Quartzite is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock. It is created when sandstone is subjected to extreme heat and pressure caused by tectonic plate compression in the crust of the earth. The stone is mined and sawn into slabs which are later precisely cut to become countertops.

Agate:

These stone slabs are the perfect combination of human’s and nature working together to create something truly special, they are  made from cut or prepared stone embedded in  resin. Cut and polished semi -precious stones are placed close together. This results in an amazing one of a kind countertop. Some options for semi -precious countertops are blue agate, red agate, jade, jasper, tiger eye, rose quartz and amethyst.

Quartz

Natural-stone slabs are mined, but Quartz slabs are engineered in a factory. Their primary ingredient is ground quartz combined with polyester resin and pigments to give it color. For some designs, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks are added to the mix.

We manufacture custom LED lighting solutions than can illuminate any translucent material, if you need help selecting the correct product you can contact us today and one of our integration specialists will be in touch

Backlighting Onyx and other stone surfaces can be tricky, here is a list of Frequently asked questions 

How much space should be allowed between the back of the stone and the light panel?

It depends on the type of stone that is illuminated, we find that the majority of the stone that we have backlit in the past does not require any spacing, however we have noticed that some white onyx and honey onyx that is quite uniform (little veining, fissures etc) does allow for more light transfer so you will find that there can be a brighter area along the illuminated edges. If the design allows for it you can avoid this completely by spacing the stone between 1/2" and 1". Also, if you are using 3/8" onyx laminated to glass I would suggest that the spacing be at least 1".

How much light will pass through the nose profile of my countertop?

This varies depending on the type of nose profile used:

Mitered- 45 degree join (recommended):

Having a mitered nose profile allows for maximum light transfer through the edge of the stone (see Illuminated Counter top example PDF) if the LED panel is sandwiched with direct contact to the underside of the stone you should get about 1" to 1 1/2" illumination down the front face.

Doubled up / laminated- double layer of onyx

Having the edge doubled up will only allow the light to travel through the top of the stone; this will usually result in a dead spot on the front face. If the stone is doubled up and the strip of stone that is laminated to the underside is ¾” to 1” deep there is a good chance that there will be some light transfer. Anything more than this will result in a dead spot on the front of the nose profile

Can I order the LED panel with drilled holes, voids for basins, sinks, plumbing or electrical outlets?

Yes, this is a unique feature of our Nu World LED Light Panel; we require that a CAD file is submitted by the customer to ensure that the voids are cut correctly. Alternatively the panels can be cut on site using a router capable of cutting acrylic

Other than Onyx, what materials can be backlit with the Nu World LED Light Panel?

Apart from Onyx and Marble Nu World LED Light panels can be used to backlight the following materials:

Can the LED Panels support a heavy onyx slab?

Yes the Nu World LED Light Panel can support the weight of an onyx slab however there are a few important steps that need to be taken to achieve this:

1. 1.The LED panel is a 5/16” acrylic sheet with LEDs embedded in the edges so it is important that it be supported so as to avoid bending the panel when the stone is placed on top.
2. 2.We recommend that there be a minimum ½” finished plywood substrate below the LED panel. Care must be taken to ensure that there is no possibility of a fulcrum being created which can crack the panel once the stone is placed on top. Make sure that all screws are countersunk properly and the plywood substrate is smooth, flat and free from debris.

Can your LED Light Panel be used to backlight onyx or glass tile in a shower/steam room?

Yes this has been achieved before but extra care must be taken to ensure that the LED panel is not exposed to moisture

Does the LED Panel require special electrical grounding or Ventilation?

The LED panels are powered with Class 2 power supplies so short circuit and overload protection is built in. Our LED panels have integrated heat sinks so cooling and ventilation provision is normally not necessary. In some high temperature environments it might be required to vent the area that the LED panels are in – please send us as much info about the application and we will get back to you with suggestions

What do I do if my counter top is “boxed “ and I need to support it from below , will the supports not show through the stone?

If you have opaque supports (plywood, mdf etc) underneath the stone you will see a distinct dark spot where they touch the underside of the stone. We have worked with many types of stone before and some types are more forgiving when we are faced with this situation. Please let us know the type of stone that you have chosen and we will let you know how noticeable the lines will be. The more fissures, cracks and veining there is in the stone the less visible the line will be. Another solution that can work is if the supports are constructed out of optically clear acrylic.

Should I attach the LED panel to the back side of my stone slab?

We never suggest that this be done. Anything could happen to the LED panel or stone and if they are adhered to one another the cost will be double to replace

What happens if after the onyx is installed, the lights need repair?

It is important to note that this application like all electrical applications are susceptible over time to various potential issues like moisture ingress, damage to counter tops, loose wiring by contractor fault etc. so there are times that the stone has to be removed and access to the LED panels allowed. What this means is that if it is possible we always like to have easy accessibility to the LED panels but unfortunately we do not always have this luxury. The honest answer is that over time anything can happen and there is a risk reward factor that has to be taken into account when implementing a backlit onyx counter top

Here is a video showing a simple way to illuminate your Countertops using our Nu World LED Light Panel FRAMELESS

We have supplied our Nu World LED Light Panels as backlighting for countertops, backsplashes and vertical wall pieces many times and I am confident that we can work with you to find a great solution for your project. Below is a little info about this product and application:

Nu World LED Light panels are versatile, low profile light source that allows for the placement of light in spaces that are too small to house traditional lighting products. We manufacture our LED panels in virtually any shape or size. Our advanced CNC capabilities allow us to supply the LED panels with voids for kitchen sinks or basins as well as holes for plumbing or electrical. We work closely with Designers to ensure that the correct product is utilized in their application and we provide custom drawings on a project by project basis

6 main reasons to our product: 

• Trusted by top end clients including The Trump Organization and Dennis Washington as well as McCarran, Los Angeles and Vancouver International Airports
• Products tried, tested and installed in the North American market for 8 years
• Virtually any shape and size -Fully customizable
• Ultra-Thin Cut voids where needed (sinks, taps etc.)
• Virtually no maintenance over the life of the LED Light panel
• No UV and virtually no heat (perfect for light and heat sensitive exhibits and displays) 

We have developed multiple integration methods for backlighting stone applications and with 8 years experience as custom lighting integration specialists we will make sure that your project is bright, evenly illuminated and long lasting

A forecast of interior design trends this year seems to be favouring the reinvention of classy luxury, serenity, creative recycling and versatility in furniture design and interior decorating. Modern interior design trends take on classic, retro and contemporary design ideas as well as traditional and new materials, fresh decorating colors, exotic motifs, ethnic decoration patterns, artistic details and surprising blend of textures.

But there are three major trends in luminescence that a custom lighting house such as Nu World can assist with as a lighting expert company in the United States and Canada drawing inspiration from European experts:

1. LED Lighting

This is one of the top trends for 2015, which makes sense - LED lighting is both practical and affordable compared to other alternatives.

Interior designers confirmed an increase in demand for LED lighting, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom with LED cabinet lighting in especially high demand.

LED lighting can be utilised outdoors as well, outdoor living has become a must with consumers opting to revamp their patios, porches, driveways and garden areas with additional lighting.

2. Lighting inside Drawers, Cabinets and the Shower

This development in lighting allows for consumers to see the contents of their cabinets or drawers in a stylish way, by adding lighting inside those formerly-dark spaces and corners. This means that when you open a drawer or cabinet, the light inside is triggered to instantly switch on.

Lighting inside the shower makes for brilliance in an elegant manner at the same time it is functional and provides an alternative take on illumination for this space.

Interior design is no longer just about making a living space or corporate area look fascinating, design trends are now also about making the zone functional, yet inviting.

Surface design sets the atmosphere to evoke emotion and provoke thought and dramatic natural stone panels add elegance and classic luxury to any ambience.

Nu World Custom Lighting options can be used to add character to your environment, the use of materials such as Onyx, are quite versatile and can be used to reflect the individual style necessary for making a house a home or a company personality.

However, your surface is supported or backlit, the surface material is the face of your design and with the use of Light Emitting  Diode (LED) lights that use 75% less energy than ordinary incandescent light bulbs, we are able to create an effortless looking design that promotes clean lines and modern finishes, but because we provide custom lighting, we can tailor the design to suit your zone.

Translucent Concrete is not new; it has been available in Europe for close to 10 years but the material has not gained much traction in North America.... Hopefully that will change

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Some products seem to have been made to be backlit by our Nu World Custom Lighting solutions have a look at Concetto by Caesarstone

We are constantly on the look out for amazing products that can be backlit using our LED systems and Concetto is a material that is being used more and more often.  

Lighting for translucent stone can get tricky- here are a few frequently asked questions that might be of interest 

Backlit onyx countertops can be achieved using any one of our Custom lighting products, some installations are easier than others and therefore can be more expensive than others. The FAQs below are specific to backlighting countertops using the Nu World LED Light Panel FRAMELESS - http://www.nu-wo.com/index.php/led-light-panels