Choosing What Kind Of Outdoor Lights You Need

Decking the outside of your property with brand new lights can be a bit overwhelming, what with the plethora of options available on the market.

It’s a good job that we’re here to help make sense of all the different types of outdoor light, helping you make the right choice and achieve your desired effect.

Safety Comes First

One of the first things to consider with any outdoor electrical appliance is the IP rating it comes with.

IP (Ingress Protection) ratings indicate how well any given device guards against foreign bodies and water.

IP44 is the absolute minimum required for a light to be used outside, and even then it should ideally be sheltered as it only protects against splashes of water.

Lights that are fully exposed outside should have at least IP65 rating. This means that it will be able to withstand light jets of water.

To ensure your lighting system doesn’t short circuit, it’s highly important that you look at the IP rating.

Flooded With Light

The first type of outdoor lighting is LED floodlights. These are great for large, open areas outside your home, and can also be used for commercial areas too like warehouses, car parks and sports venues.

Generally, the lumen count will determine which one you go for, as certain brightness’s are better suited for particular areas.

Lumen outputs between 900-3000 are ideal for domestic use, for confined alleys, porches and gardens.

It’s also worth considering a PIR motion sensor for home use too, as this helps save energy consumption and also acts as a deterrent for potential intruders.

Anything above 4000 lumens is generally used for commercial applications.

Up The Wall

For what LED wall lights lack in variety of technical specifications, they make up for in aesthetics.

A wide range of designs ensures that you can style your outdoor walls any way you like.

Want a modern, minimalist look? Or a retro lantern appearance? Wall lights give you this option, as they are only otherwise used for general, small scale illumination outside front and back doors.

This ultimately means that most wall lights are similar in terms of specs.

Decked Out In The Garden

LED decking lights provide a more subtle solution to your outdoor lighting, and are great for highlighting steps or the perimeter of your decking.

Generally, 40mm sized lights are best suited for this kind of application.

Smaller 15mm sized decking lights might be better off being used indoors, in kitchen plinth lighting or in the bathroom for example.

Different colours give you varying effects too. White or blue helps create a modern, contemporary look, though green, pink and red could add some unique character to your garden.

A Wise Move

Don’t forget that using LEDs for your outdoor lighting are an investment, as they save you money on your bills in the longer term due to considerably lower energy consumptions.

Less energy means less wear and tear, and that equates to longer lifespan – most LEDs run for up to 50,000 hours! So you’ll spend much less on replacements.

They’re really safe to use outside too, as LEDs run on low voltage power.

The switch to LEDs is a no brainer, with so many advantages on offer. What type of outdoor lighting you choose though ultimately depends on your requirements, and what kind of effect you’re after for your property.