Q. I am the general manager of a lighting showroom. I'm looking to gain more business by offering something GREAT for home builders and contractors. If you are in this field, what do you generally expect or wish you could gain from this sort of partnership? Commission for referrals? Discounts? Free lighting design?

A. A discount for sure !

A. Go to the lighting dept. at a home center/hardware store, get a daylight-spectrum bulb and appropriate fixture...fluorescent, incandescent. Me, I'd try for an 18" or 24" fluorescent and hide it with a valance so you're not staring at the fixture. fixtures that size are pretty flat...the type used for under-cabinet task lighting in a kitchen. Ikea has those, as well.

Q. I'm painting some windows that will be hanging as decorations outside my home. I need to make sure they are waterproof. What is the best waterproofing solution that I can use that will withstand long-term outdoor conditions?? Thanks!!

A. A good clear varnish or dip them in clear resin the clear resin is the best

Q. We are trying to have a good look without the big bucks and wanted recess lights but want to know also if it's possible to put (what type of lighting) right on top of new kitchen cabinets that we are going to install ourselves? Has anyone tryed other type of lighting on top of their cabinets and were you happy with the results?

A. A lot of it will depend on what type of lighting you want. Are you looking for ambient, mood lighting to guide someone to the sink or fridge at night, or are you looking for functional lighting that will help you see better to cook, etc? If you are looking for ambient lighting, there are a variety of LED "puck" lights (small round lights) that ussually plug into an outlet. These will be the easiest to install and they are fantastic because you'll replace the fixture before you replace the bulb. They come in several colors, white and amber lights being the most common but you can get "colors" like red or blue as well. They can be used above or under your cabinets. They don't get warm, so you don't have to worry about leaving them on for long periods of time (or little fingers getting burned if you have kids) The hardest part is "hiding" the wires. One way to do this is to put an outlet inside a cabinet and drill a hole to put the wires into. If you are looking for functional lighting, you can use puck lighting but use halogen instead. The bulbs don't last the way LED's do but the light is brighter, the down side is they get just as hot as a standard lightbulb. You can also use flourscent strip lighting, these also do not get as hot. These types of lights typically come in plug in but if you look around you can find hardwired ones. I have puck lights under my cabinets near the sink and they work out great! And they aren't that difficult to install.

Q. I am one of those people who are like shane dawson,joe nation,olga kay,etc,I am starting a youtube channel in a year or so, I need to know what lighting you would recommend,really good brands and sets of video/photography/studio lighting,soft boxes and umbrellas, mostly the box ones because most youtubers use those,as well as good cameras for pictures and videos so my videos look like mini movies in a way,as well as professional video cameras, good bands,bounce boards,any video related equipment, It is greatly appreciated!! I will rate highest for the best answer thank you

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Q. We just purchased a home in Canada and my builder charges a lot for upgrades so I just wanted to spend the money wisely on the upgrades. I know that's how the builder makes money on it but does anyone knows what are the things to upgrade with the builder and what can be wait to do it later? Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks all in advance! Hi,thanks for all the great infor. but I am more interested in the decoration upgrades advice, like kitchen countertops, flooring, tiles etc.

A. The most overlooked and last to be considered is your lighting choices. Generally the builder only budgets a too small of an amount for adequate lighting needs. Once your construction is done, it will cost you 2 to 3 times the amount to redo to your needs. Sit down with them and find out how much and where they are planning to put your fixtures. If he is hesitant than go to a Lighting showroom for a true appraisal of what your cost could be and then renegotiate to avoid hidden costs. Remember that lighting highlights your home's beauty as well as providing tasking needs.

Q. I once saw in a contractor actually put lights in the window sill of a north facing window to add the effect that lots of natural light was coming in even thought it wasn't. Anyone ever done this? Should the lights go up in the window or in the ceiling right in front of the window. I have a very old window and don't want to screw it up. Any thoughts on lighting windows to improve the overall feel of a dark room? Right now I just have recessed lighting. Should I focus on lamps, a chandelier or the window lighting?

A. Repaint your room using a semigloss paint that will reflect more light . Paint a lighter color. Use lamps, mirrors will also reflect light put a lamp in front of your mirror. I think the light is the window would be great. Try some lighting in a tube and see how it looks before you invest a lot of money.

Q. I have some lighting in my kitchen that doesn't work. It's not the light bulbs or the light switch. Does anyone have an idea of what it mght cost me to get an electrician to come figure out the problem?

A. You may be able to get your lighting repaired by a handyman, is the light in question a fluorescent? if so it`s most likely the ballast