One of the least expensive details in your kitchen cabinet order is the bottom trim on wall cabinets. Designers also refer to this as light rail molding. The humble strip of trim packs a powerful punch in terms of style and function.
Preventing Glare
A primary function of the light rail is to conceal under-cabinet light fixtures and prevent glare. While working at the counter, the shallow light strip tucked behind the cabinet, is hidden. The light may, however, present those seated in an adjacent living room with an unsightly view and irritating glare. If the fixture is located at the front of the cabinet, an inch of trim will solve the problem.
Enhancing Your Kitchen Design
Working in combination with the cabinet crown molding, the light rail (sometimes referred to as a light skirt) will frame and complete your design. In addition to this, the light rail molding should complement your cabinet door style. In addition to enhancing the overall effect you want to achieve. That may be a crisp, contemporary look, a traditional feel, or a graceful transition between the new kitchen and its original architectural detailing.
Light rail can be high or shallow, aligned with the cabinet or subtly projecting, and constructed from a variety of moldings. Your designer will have suggestions and will provide computer-generated images so you can see how it pulls the cabinetry together.
Allowing Space
When adding light rail to a cabinet design, be careful to preserve the height of your countertop work space. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends a 16 to 18-inch space between the countertop and lower edge of the wall cabinets. Some building codes have even higher requirements.
Do you have any tips to share with our readers? Please leave comments below, and watch for upcoming articles on under cabinet light fixtures and crown molding.