Do you want to install outdoor lighting on your grounds but not want to overspend on it? Want a nice brightly lit yard in front of your establishment at minimal costs? Well here’s an article to help you pick the perfect outdoor lighting for your establishment.
When it comes to commercial outdoor lighting there are many companies that may sell fixtures that look promising, however, not every fixture can meet your budget. Some of them may not even hold up to the standard which the company claims, so here are a few points to pick the right outdoor lighting:
1. The right type
The question of what kind of lighting works best in your scenario is solved best with an explanation of where and how each type is used.
- Wall lights: These are most commonly used wherever there is a vertical surface. Commonly used on buildings and walls. Commonly used for porches, patios, and entryways.
- Hanging lights: A very pretty light, hanging lights work excellently under any roofed area. They are more resistant to damp climates provided they are not directly exposed to the rain. Commonly used for covered patios
- Post or Pier mounted lights: These are fixtures mounted on posts and are especially useful as they can be placed directly in the open. Their wet rating ensures that they have good resistance to the weather. Pier mounted lights work similarly to posts lights except they must be mounted on a column or wall. Commonly used for outdoor walkways and driveways
- Landscape Lights: Landscape lights are generally low voltage lighting that is separate from the wall and ceiling lights listed. By efficient use of path lights, spotlights, and floodlights, you can give your property a wonderful look even in the darkest of nights. Commonly used for gardens and landscapes
- Security Fixtures: These are motion lights that glow when triggered by movement.
2. The right size
When it comes to size, they depend on where you plan to install your outdoor lights. Each lighting setup looks better in different sizes. These will be mentioned below:
- Porch Wall lights: These look best when they are about one-third the height of the door when only a single fixture is used. However, when two fixtures are used, you could go with lights around a fourth of the height of your door.
- Ceiling lights: These should be of a suitable size and dimensions depending on the size, also remember to make sure that your room has enough height to keep fit the room.
- Post and Pier Mounted lights: Fixtures may be of different sizes which mostly depend on the number of bulbs used. If you’re using a pole mounted design, 7 foot tall is considered the right size.
3. Outdoor conditions and needs
The kind of lighting you use will significantly vary depending on what kind of need you have for it. This can be a significant factor in your choice.
- Water rating: Depending on where you want to use your lamp, it is categorized into wet and damp. Wet rated lamps are used in settings where the lamp is directly exposed to weather. Damp rated lamps are used in places not directly exposed to the elements.
- Time of usage: This covers whether you plan to keep your lights constantly running or use lights such as motion sensor lights or automatic lights.
Once you have this under wraps, you can pat yourself on the back as you’ve done more than half the job, but now comes the tough part, finding a fixture that is both useful for your particular need as well as affordable.
So how do you find this perfect outdoor lamp?
Well, here are the points which you need to search for in an outdoor lighting fixture to ensure that it fits in well with your budget:
a. Using LED lighting
LEDs are some of the least power consuming bulbs and can thus save you a fortune in electricity prices.
b. Timed lights
By using motion triggered lighting you not only increase the safety of your establishment but also reduce the total electricity consumption of your lighting.
c. Strong, high quality fixtures
By investing in fixtures resistant to wear and tear, you end up with longer lasting lamps, this results in less maintenance costs and thus lower expenses.
d. Solar Power
By using solar powered lighting along with the aforementioned techniques you will be able to sustain a continuous output of light for the entirety of the night.
