What is Glare in Lighting? And how it affects you?
What is Glare?
Glare in lighting is the visual discomfort or reduction in visibility caused by bright light sources in your field of vision. Imagine stepping out of a dark room into bright sunshine—your eyes squint and you can't see clearly at first. In buildings, glare often comes from poorly positioned lights, bright windows, or shiny reflections off surfaces. Glare can cause headaches, eye strain, mistakes at work, and even safety hazards.
Types of Glare
Discomfort Glare: Makes you feel uneasy or visually fatigued, but you can still see.
Disability Glare: Actually impairs your ability to see details or perform tasks—hazardous in workplaces and schools.
How Can You Avoid Glare in Lighting Installations?
1. Smart Positioning
Don’t put lights directly in people’s line of sight.
Use indirect lighting—bounce light off ceilings or walls.
2. Use Diffusers and Shades
Cover bare bulbs with diffusers, lampshades, or frosted glass to soften the light.
3. Avoid Super Bright Fixtures
Choose lights with moderate brightness—bigger, softer sources are often better than small, intense ones.
4. Consider Surface Finishes
Matte (non-shiny) paint or desk surfaces reflect less glare than glossy finishes.
5. Pay Attention to Natural Light
Use blinds, curtains, or window films to limit direct sun glare, especially on screens.
What is UGR 19 and Why Does It Matter?
UGR stands for Unified Glare Rating. It’s an international measure for how likely a lighting setup is to cause discomfort glare in a room.
The scale starts at 10 (lowest glare) and goes upwards.
A lower UGR is better—less glare, more visual comfort.
UGR 19 is the recommended maximum for offices, classrooms, and most workplaces.
If lighting is specified as "UGR < 19," it means it’s designed so most people will not experience significant discomfort glare.
Why UGR < 19?
Research shows most people find lighting more comfortable at or below this threshold, making it ideal for environments like offices and schools (where eye comfort and productivity matter most).
Explaining UGR Calculations (Simply!)
The UGR is calculated using a formula that considers:
The brightness and number of light fixtures
Their position relative to where people sit or work
How reflective the room’s surfaces are
In practice:
You don’t need to calculate UGR yourself—lighting manufacturers and designers do the math using special lighting simulation software. On light fitting technical sheets, you’ll see:
"UGR < 19"
That means the product, if installed as recommended, won’t cause excessive glare.
Visual Example: What is and isn’t Low Glare?
Below, the left shows a well-designed office with “UGR<19” lighting: lights are indirect, soft, and positioned to stay out of direct view. The right has glaring ceiling panels and bright reflections—a recipe for discomfort.
How to Ensure Low Glare in Your Installation
Ask for "UGR < 19" certified lighting when you buy or specify fittings.
Check that lights are not directly visible from sitting or standing height.
Choose fixtures with diffusers, not bare LEDs.
Work with a lighting designer for larger projects—good lighting improves comfort and productivity! - Feel free to get in touch with us.
In Summary
Glare makes it hard or uncomfortable to see—avoid direct, intense light sources.
UGR < 19 is the gold standard for offices, classrooms, and work areas; request it for your next fit out.
You don’t need to do the math—just look for the UGR rating on lighting product specs.
Contact us for a site specific glare calculation completed on desktop studies.
