1. Onyx – Timeless and Dramatic
Onyx remains the most iconic surface for backlighting. Its soft crystalline structure allows light to pass through beautifully, creating glowing veining and dynamic color movement. Onyx comes in a range of natural hues — from gold and amber to green and white — making it a bold statement in any space.
Used frequently in bars, restaurants, and custom vanities, this material offers dramatic impact when paired with an evenly lit LED panel.
2. Cristallo Quartzite – Strength Meets Translucency
Cristallo Quartzite blends the beauty of natural stone with the durability of quartzite. It’s one of the only quartzite varieties that can be reliably backlit, and it does so with stunning clarity.
Many clients choose Cristallo for kitchen islands, countertops, and accent walls where both visual impact and longevity are required. It often needs a ½” clear acrylic spacer beneath to diffuse the lighting and eliminate LED seam lines.
3. Marble – Subtle Glow for Elegant Interiors
While most marble varieties aren’t highly translucent, some white or lightly veined marbles can provide a soft, elegant backlit effect. This works especially well in vertical wall applications, reception counters, or low-light environments where subtlety is preferred over intensity.
Designers often select backlit marble to complement warmer tones and traditional finishes.
4. Alabaster – Warm Ambient Lighting
Alabaster is a lesser-used but highly effective material for creating a soft, candlelight glow. It has a natural translucency that diffuses LED lighting very smoothly, making it ideal for ambient environments.
You’ll often find alabaster used in luxury spas, lounges, and residential powder rooms where the goal is a gentle, warm atmosphere rather than high brightness.
5. Solid Surface (Corian® and Others) – Precision and Uniformity
Certain types of solid surface material, such as backlightable Corian® options, are engineered for even light diffusion. They’re a popular choice for signage, reception desks, and minimalist interiors that require a clean and modern aesthetic.
Unlike natural stone, these engineered materials provide predictable results with little variation across the surface — perfect for branding, retail environments, and applications that demand uniformity.
6. Glass – Vibrant and Crisp Illumination
Backlit glass delivers some of the most consistent and vibrant lighting results possible. Frosted, etched, or tinted glass paired with ultra-thin LED panels can transform any vertical or horizontal surface into a sleek, luminous feature.
Glass is especially popular in corporate interiors, bathrooms, and custom art installations due to its precision and clarity.
7. Resin & Composite Panels – Modern and Versatile
Resin panels (like 3Form or similar brands) offer extreme design flexibility. Available in a wide range of textures, finishes, and colors, these panels are often used in commercial interiors, retail spaces, and hotel environments.
Their lightweight nature and even diffusion properties make them ideal for larger applications where stone would be too heavy or costly to install.
Ready to bring your design to life with custom backlighting?
With over 15 years of experience, Nu World has supplied premium LED backlighting systems to homes and businesses across North America — from New York, Miami, and Los Angeles to Dallas, Seattle, and Phoenix.
We manufacture precision-fit LED panels for all backlit materials, including Onyx, Quartzite, Marble, Glass, Solid Surface, and more — custom-sized and shipped directly to your job site.
Get in touch today to discuss your project or request a quote. We’ll help you find the perfect layering solution for a flawless, glowing result.
Nu World Custom Lighting and Design
Website: https://nu-wo.com
Email: info@nu-wo.com
Phone: 1-604-900-2313
Featured Projects: https://nu-wo.com/featured-projects/