Light Reflectance Values (LRV)

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUES (LRV)?

Light Reflectance Values, or LRV, is a way to measure how much light is reflected from a surface when it is hit by light. Architects and designers use it to see how much light a colour reflects or absorbs. The scale goes from 0-100. Zero is completely black and absorbs all light, while 100 is completely white and reflects all light. The amount of light reflected is measured based on how much light is reflected off the surface, not how much light hits it.

WHY IS IT CRUCIAL TO CONSIDER LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUES?

Light Reflectance Values are important because they help make sure that buildings are safe and easy for everyone to use. The British Standards (BS 8300-2:2018) also say that buildings must have enough contrast between surfaces and the areas around them so that people who have trouble seeing can still use the building safely.

WHAT BS 8300-2:2018 SAYS

Approved Document M - Access to and use of buildings (2013) Section 3 - Horizontal and vertical circulation in buildings other than dwellings

3.8 The presence of doors, whether open or closed, should be apparent to visually impaired people through the careful choice of colour and material for the door and its surroundings. For example, when a door is open, people with impaired sight should be able to identify the door opening within the wall, as well as the leading edge of the door.

3.10 e) all door opening furniture contrasts visually with the surface of the door.

3.10 f) the door frames contrast visually with the surrounding wall.

3.10 g) the surface of the leading edge of any door that is not self-closing, or is likely to be held open, contrasts visually with the other door surfaces and its surroundings.

Definitions within (AD) M

Contrast Visually: when used to indicate the visual perception of one element of the building, or fitting within the building, against another means that the difference in light reflectance value (LRV) between the two surfaces is greater than 30 points. Where illuminance on surfaces is greater than 200 lux, a difference in (LRV) should be a minimum of 20 points. Where door opening furniture projects beyond the face of the door or otherwise creates enhanced differentiation and shade, a minimum difference in (LRV) of 15 points is considered adequate.

Illuminance: the amount of light falling on a surface, measured in lumens per square metre (lm/m2) or lux (lx).

Light Reflectance Value (LRV): the total quantity of visible light reflected by a surface at all wavelengths and directions when illuminated by a light source.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM CONTRAST NECESSARY BETWEEN LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUES?

The way buildings are lit needs to be safe for everyone, so there are rules about how much contrast there should be between different surfaces. There are some exceptions but generally, the standards say that there should be a difference of at least 30 points in LRV between surfaces. To find out more, you can check out Building Regulations Approved Document Part M – Volume 2 and BS 8300-2:2018, Annex B.

This table demonstrates the standard recommended contrast difference (30 points) lighter and darker than the LVR value to pair with.

LIGHT REFLECTIVE VALUES FOR FORZA PRODUCT OPTIONS

The expendable headings below show average Light Reflectance Values for our popular veneer, laminate and ironmongery options. To obtain the veneer LRV readings multiple samples of each finish were tested using our in-house LRV meter. Each sample was tested in three different areas, these results were then averaged. Though great care has been taken to ensure accuracy, please note that because exact finishes and conditions may differ, these values are meant to serve as a general guide only.

For free samples of our Creato and Group 1 veneer head to our samples pages.

CREATO VENEERS LRV



Nimbus - 1/4 Cut Grey Eucalyptus FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 10.7	Furvus - 1/4 Cut Brown Ash FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 4.3	Piceus - Crown Cut Black Ash FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear or Matt Average LRV: Clear 2.0, Matt 4.0	Vesperi - Multilaminar FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 9.0


Animus - Crown Cut Brown Ash FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear or Matt Average LRV: Clear 7.3, Matt 9.7	Illunis - Crown Cut Black Oak FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 0.0	Imber - Silver Oak FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 31.0	Ventus - Crown Cut Ash FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 42.7


Litus - Oak FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear or Matt Average LRV: Clear 57.0, Matt 59.0	Pacatus - Crown Cut Grey Oak FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 29.7	Albus - Crown Cut Light Ash FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 53.3	Umbra - Crown Cut Multilaminar FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 24.3


Terra - Crown Cut Brown Ash FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 12.0	Mirus - 1/4 Cut Grey Oak FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 12.0	Niveus - Silver Figured Eucalyptus FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear or Matt Average LRV: Clear 60.0, Matt 56.7	Superus - Crown Cut Ash FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 28.7


Belliatus - Qtr Cut Linear wood FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 5.7	Hesperus - Eucalyptus FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear or Matt Average LRV: Clear 0.3, Matt 9.3	Mustela - Crown Cut Tulipwood FSC Available: On request Lacquer Option: Clear Average LRV: 19.0

GROUP ONE & TWO VENEERS LRV

Group One Veneers

Birch FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 65	Crown Cut Ash FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 56.3	American Black Walnut FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 16	Engineered Wenge FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 6.0


Engineered Crown Zebrano FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 35.0	Crown Steam Beech FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 31.7	Crown Cut Cherry FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 23	Quarter Cut American White Oak FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 39.7

Group Two Veneers

Curly Maple FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 51.0	Rotary Cut Kevasingo FSC Available: No Average LRV: 18.0	Olive Ash FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 51.0	White Elm FSC Available: Yes Average LRV: 52.7

IRONMONGERY LRV


Charcoal LRV: 3.0	Gunmetal LRV: 9.0	Bronze LRV: 17.0	Copper LRV: 19.0

Brass LRV: 48.0	Satin Stainless Steel LRV: 45.0	Polished Stainless Steel LRV: 51.0

LAMINATES LRV


Polar White (F2255) RAL 9016 Average LRV: 85.7	Soft White (F7949) RAL 9016 Average LRV: 86.2	Alpino (F1040) RAL 9010 Average LRV: 86.9	Fog F7961 RAL 7004 7036 Average LRV: 37.0


Folkestone (F7927) RAL 7035 Average LRV: 53.5	Storm (F7912) RAL 7015 Average LRV: 14.8	Terril (F2297) RAL 7016 Average LRV: 9.6	Diamond Black (F2253) RAL 9011 Average LRV: 6.7