How to Choose Outdoor Lights
Lighting up your home from the outside is as important as lighting it up indoors. You along with your guests need to be able to navigate their way through your front yard to the main door of the house. This article will help you how to choose outdoor lights for different areas of your house. Whether it is the main entrance of the house, the backyard, patio or just a balcony, outdoor lighting is necessary. But you need to know what type of lights you need on your property. You will need different lighting for the driveway and for your front door. So, keep on reading…
Before You Look Into Different Types of Lights…
There are things you need to consider before you begin choosing the lights for your outdoor area. Understanding lumens, wattage, colour temperature and I.P. rating are important factors that will determine the kinds of lights you are looking for.
What are Lumens?
In simple terms, it is a measurement of the amount of light visible from a light source. The higher the number of lumens a light source has means the light it emits will be brighter. Bulbs and LEDs usually come with a lumen measure, so always go for one with a higher lumen wattage for outdoors.
Colour Temperature
You may think that colour temperature is not something one thinks about when purchasing lights but the colour of the light determines the overall look of the area it is placed in.
Instead of celsius, colour temperature uses Kelvin on a scale of 1,000 to 10,000 to measure the warmth or coldness of the light being emitted. Keep in mind, that the lower side of the scale here means warmer colour and the higher it goes the colder it gets. 3000K to 4000K emits a warm white light that is great for outdoor dining. If you want a well-lit backyard or patio, then a 5000K to 6500K gives you the perfect brightness that is closest to daylight.
Wattage
The only thing you need to know about wattage is that the lower the wattage, the lower the energy use. CFLs and LEDs are usually the best options in this case as they have a low wattage. With lower wattage bulbs you will end up saving on energy bills. In addition to that, LED sensor lights are an excellent option as they are powered down until they sense movement, hence consuming less energy.
I.P. Rating
Outdoor lights are exposed to a lot of things all the time. So, you need to be sure that the lights you install can actually survive the sudden weather change. Ingress Protection (IP) ratings show the amount of protection your lights have against dirt, dust and water. So, an IP rating of IP65 means the light is protected against dust and a low-pressure jet of water; the ‘6’ indicates solid objects such as dust and debris and the ‘5’ indicates water resistance. Anything beyond the rating of 6 for protection against water means that the light is practically waterproof.
Different Types of Outdoor Lighting
Once you are sure of the kind of wattage and I.P. levels you’re looking for, you can buy outdoor lights.
Festoon Lights
If you have the option of hanging fairy lights in your room, then you should have the option to do the same outdoors. Festoon lighting is similar to fairy lights since they too are string lights and a lot bigger in size. There are string lights that can be used outdoors as well as indoors but festoon lights are perfect for the outdoor setting. Festoon lights are perfect for general lighting or for as festive lighting.
Tip: Look for ones with longer cords or make sure your outdoor power points are waterproof.
Sensor and Security Lights
Motion sensor lights are a popular outdoor lighting choice for a lot of people. Often these motion sensor lights are solar-powered and can be quite bright. The whole purpose of these lights is to wash the entire area with light at the slightest movement. If you are concerned about your security then motion sensor lights are an excellent option.
Flood Lights
There are different types of motion sensor lights that you can choose from. Flood lights are meant to flood a particular area with the brightest light. A large amount of light will not only allow you to see who set off the motion sensor but will also stun whoever passed by the sensor for a few seconds.
Garden and Ground Lights
It is always good to have a well-lit garden especially if you have flower beds. You don’t want somebody stepping onto your precious flowers when out on an evening stroll. Garden spikes are small lamps that can be easily installed into the garden bed. They are available in different sizes and designs and all of them provide enough light for you to see where you’re stepping.
Bollard Light
The entryway or driveway of your house is one place that should always have some form of light there. Nobody wants to go to a house that is situated in the middle of complete darkness. Some low lighting on your driveway would be welcoming for the guests. Bollards are short stump-like lamp posts that provide the perfect lighting for outdoor entryways. They come in attractive designs and can be easily installed over uneven ground as well.
Bollard lights can also be used as ground lights that are installed on the ground and can run on electricity or solar power. These lights are perfect to add some aesthetic lighting to your garden making it look picture perfect.
Lamp posts
If bollards and ground lights just don’t do it for you, then why don’t you give lamp posts a try? Old-fashioned lamp posts look elegant and can light up an outdoor area like any other lighting option. Moreover, if you have a lot of land to cover and feel like bollards won’t do the trick, lamp posts will be perfect.
Wall lights
These lights are good for indoor and outdoor areas. Wall lights perfectly illuminate the outside walls of your home. Space them out evenly around the exterior walls of the house and illuminate your house perfectly. Wall lights can make your home stand out in the middle of the street as they really transform the look of your home. You can also opt for wall lights with sensors that set off when someone tries to tamper with the lights.
Deck Lights
In-ground LED lights or deck lights are meant for patios and balconies. These lights are fitted into the ground or beneath stone or wooden panels to give a cool depth effect to the whole area. The goal of these lights is to highlight an area instead of providing instant brightness. They add enough light to a dimly lit area for house parties, evening hangouts or dinner with friends. Deck lights are also a great way to light up the path. So if you don’t want your guests to trip on the stairs, light the way with some LEDs.
Why should I choose solar-powered lights?
It is always better to go for solar-powered lights since they don’t need a power outlet. They are however dependent on the weather, that is, if it is a cloudy day you won’t get a very bright light from your solar-powered light source. On the other, we recommend going for solar-powered lights because they are cheaper and more sustainable as well.
This doesn’t mean that lights that run on electricity are a bad choice. There are many lighting options out there that don’t give you a solar-powered option. In such a scenario, we would suggest having covered or waterproof power outlets and going for LEDs since they are more energy-efficient.
Timers and Motion Sensor Lighting
When it comes to installing lights around the house the first that comes to mind is the amount of energy you would be using. So, the best way to avoid your energy bill from going through the roof is to go for smart lighting options. LEDs should definitely be on top of the list for energy-saving lighting options. Lights with timers are a great option as well. These lights turn off after a certain time that can be set by you.
Motion sensor lighting is a great energy-saving option too. They are powered down until they sense movement. So, if you want to light up your outdoor area, we would suggest going for solar-powered garden lights and motion sensor walls and spotlights.
A Little Maintenance Tip
Your outdoor lights will need a lot more looking after than your indoor lights. Since these lights are constantly exposed to varying weather conditions, you need to keep an eye on them. Regular cleaning which includes brushing off any dust, and getting rid of cobwebs and bugs. This will ensure that your outdoor lights continue to be bright and last longer.
