Light reflectance refers to the ability of a surface to reflect light and is expressed as its Light Reflectance Value (LRV). LRV is the percentage of visible light reflected from a surface when illuminated by a light source. It indicates the perceived brightness of a colour: lighter colours have higher LRVs and reflect more light, while darker colours have lower LRVs and reflect less.
For example, a flooring surface with an LRV of 60 reflects 60% of the light that falls on it, making it appear brighter than a surface with an LRV of 20, which reflects only 20% of the light.
Importance of Light Reflectance
Providing sufficient brightness
Interior surfaces are typically designed with a minimum LRV to maintain adequate brightness in a space. Surfaces with higher LRVs can reduce the need for artificial lighting, but designers must balance brightness with practicality. In high-traffic areas, floors with high LRVs tend to show dirt and scuff marks more easily, requiring more frequent cleaning and maintenance.
Creating visual depth
In interior design, visual depth can be enhanced by combining high LRV walls with low LRV flooring. Walls with higher reflectance make a space appear brighter and more expansive, while darker, lower LRV floors introduce depth and intimacy, creating a visually balanced environment.
Design for access and mobility
When designing spaces for people living with dementia, visual impairment, or neurodiverse needs, it is important to make the floors and walls look noticeably different. These conditions can make it hard to judge depth and tell surfaces apart, so strong contrast helps people feel safer and more comfortable moving around. A good rule of thumb is to keep at least a 30-point difference in LRVs between the floor and walls to provide clear contrast.
Light Reflectance Requirements
Homes, Aged Care Facilities, Early Childhood Centres
Under New Zealand Building Code Clause G7 (Natural light), homes, aged care facilities, and early childhood centres are required to allow enough natural light in and maintain visual awareness of the outside environment.
One way to demonstrate compliance is through Acceptable Solution G7/AS1, which applies to buildings up to three storeys high that do not rely on borrowed light. Under G7/AS1, floor surfaces must have an LRV of at least 20 in areas where direct daylight comes in and where the sky is visible through the windows. For areas beyond the reach of direct daylight, a higher light reflectance of 40 is required to maintain brightness.
Another option for compliance is Verification Method G7/VM1, which uses daylight modelling. This method requires the LRV data for all interior surfaces, including flooring, as input for the simulation. It allows the use of darker flooring with an LRV below 20, provided other design strategies are in place to meet lighting requirements.
Schools
The New Zealand Ministry of Education’s Designing Quality Learning Spaces (DQLS) guidelines specify that floor surfaces in schools should have an LRV of at least 20. While brighter floors are preferred, it is recommended that the LRV remain below 40 to minimise the visibility of dirt and scuff marks and reduce cleaning and maintenance.
LRV of Belgotex Flooring Products
Selected Belgotex New Zealand products have been tested for their LRVs which are available on the website, listed below the swatch popup image on our product pages. If a product is missing this information for a project that requires it, please enquire with your Belgotex BDM.
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