Weather-proof outdoor lights are an investment. They are usually statement pieces for your home as well. So, it is worth your time doing some research to make sure that you are making the right decision.
Nobody should have mediocre lights if they don’t have to!
So, what do we need to know before purchasing outdoor lights?
How easy are they to maintain? Is it easy to chage the globe? Are they easy to install? Where are they going to go? How much light do you need? What is the lighting for?
What is the outdoor lighting for?
The first decision you need to make is what you are trying to achieve. Is it accent lighting that you need to highlight a particular feature of your home? A water fountain or a feature wall, or even a beautiful tree?
Do you want to create some ambience? Some wall-washer lights, up-lights or up-down lights are then a great option.
Or is it visibility that is the priority? Security or safety on a drive-way or walkway is often the main driver for bright outdoor lights. Outdoor lights come in a wide variety: bollards, floor-level path lights, wall sconces, wall brackets, floodlights, or even big statement column lights.
Where should you put Outdoor Lights?
How accessible is the area that you need lit? If you have a large area, but it is quite a distance from a power source, it might be best to go for one tall light rather than many small ones. An example is a column light in a park setting, or in a remote part of your garden.
On a veranda or around the main part of your home, smaller lights are easy to install and there aren’t huge distances to run cable.
How long do Outdoor Wall Lights last?
This usually ties into cost. As with most things, you get what you pay for. If you’re on the coast, look out for the phrase Coastal Quality – this means that they are corrosion proof. The longer the warranty, the more the company backs their product.
Longevity and renovations
Are you going to be extending your home at some point in the future? Will you still be able to get the same lights, or are you going to have to find alternatives? Make sure that the lights you choose are not going to be off the shelf in a year or two. If there is a warranty issue, or hailstorm, and need a replacement unit are you going to have to settle for something else, that might not be a perfect match?
Are Outdoor Lights Easy to Maintain?
A big one, and a point that often gets overlooked, is the maintenance of the light. If the globe breaks, or is faulty, how easy is it change? Do you need specialised personnel, or can you do a quick change out with a step ladder and screwdriver yourself? And insects always seem to find their way into most lights. Can you open it and give the unit a rinse?
