Outdoor lighting has become a regular in most areas these days. From streetlights to parking lots, they seem to be everywhere. Many homeowners also add them to their outdoor landscape for aesthetic reasons. Yet how does outdoor lighting improve your property?
This article discusses the pros and cons of using outdoor lighting in your home. But first, here’s a look at what outdoor light is.
What Is An Outdoor Light?
Outdoor lights can be anything from a floodlight that shines on a driveway or sidewalk to a spotlight that illuminates a flower bed. They come in many shapes and sizes; some are round, while others have a square shape. The most popular ones are those with a circular base. These lights are usually mounted on poles or posts.
Different Types Of Outdoor Lights
There are many types of outdoor lights. Some of the most common include:
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Pathway Lights
Pathway lights are designed to illuminate walkways and pathways. They are also called pathway lamps. They can be typically seen along sidewalks and driveways mounted on posts or poles. Pathway lights are available in different colors. If you want to know the right colors to match your pathway, it’s best to consult architectural lighting experts, such as Washington Outdoor Lighting, or other suppliers near your area.
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Floodlights
A floodlight is used for general illumination purposes. It provides enough light to illuminate large areas. These lights are often installed outdoors as part of a landscape design.
Floodlights use either incandescent bulbs or halogen bulbs. Halogen bulbs produce more heat than regular bulbs. Thus, they should be away from walls and windows.
You can install a floodlight near the center of the area you want to illuminate. You should also ensure no obstructions are between the light source and the surface you wish to illuminate.
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Spotlights
A spotlight is similar to a floodlight but produces a much brighter beam. Spotlights use high-intensity discharge lamps that generate less heat than traditional bulbs.
Spotlights are excellent when you want to highlight something not directly under the light source. For example, if you’re going to highlight a tree, place the spotlight above the tree so that it illuminates the leaves. If you want to highlight a flower bed in your garden space, position the spotlight below the plants.
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Motion Sensors
Motion sensors are another type of outdoor lighting. They work by detecting movement within a specific area. Hence, they turn on automatically when motion is detected. Additionally, motion sensors provide security around your property as they help deter intruders.
This lighting is ideal for illuminating areas where people may enter. For instance, you might want to use motion sensors to illuminate a front porch or steps leading up to a door.
Numerous local companies provide unique outdoor lighting installation services. You may watch this video on
to get an idea of how these professionals can turn your outdoors into a backyard oasis using outdoor lights.
Pros Of Using Outdoor Lighting
Now that you understand what outdoor light is, here’s a look at its benefits:
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Improved Safety Of A Vicinity
Outdoor lights help keep homes safe by providing visibility at night. When there is no natural light around, it becomes difficult to see things clearly, and most accidents happen more frequently when there is no light outside. That’s why installing outdoor lights can help reduce accidents and injuries.
For example, if your home has a driveway, you will want to install some pathway lights. These lights allow drivers to navigate your driveway without relying heavily on their headlights easily.
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Increased Property Value
One of the first things you do when you purchase a house is to check out the exterior. The condition of your home’s exterior is vital because it affects the overall value of your home. So, when you improve the appearance of your exterior with outdoor lighting, you increase the value of your home, attracting potential buyers eventually.
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Enhanced Home And Neighborhood Security
Outdoor lights provide additional security in your neighborhood. They help prevent crime by making it harder for criminals to hide in dark places.
Many burglars also prefer breaking into houses during the night because they know most people are asleep and won’t be able to hear them. With outdoor lighting like motion sensors, detecting suspicious activity becomes easier.
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Improved Aesthetic Appeal
Many homeowners enjoy decorating their properties with beautiful landscaping. If you’re looking for solutions to spruce up your outdoors, installing outdoor lighting is an excellent choice. Outdoor lighting can be a perfect addition to liven up your property.
For instance, you can use pathway lights to create a romantic atmosphere around your home. It also helps to brighten up a dull backyard. Likewise, outdoor lights can highlight your garden, patio, or backyard pool.
As a result, you can enjoy your yard whenever you step out at night to relax, savor the fresh outdoor air, or take a walk and capture the beauty of nighttime.
Cons Of Using Outdoor Lighting
While outdoor lighting provides numerous benefits, it does come with certain drawbacks. Let’s discuss these disadvantages below.
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Additional Energy Costs
One of the main cons of using outdoor lighting is its energy use. So, you must pay extra money to power the lights, which means you’ll spend more on electric bills.
This cost may not be noticeable immediately, but it will over time. However, you can reduce your monthly expenses by installing solar panels instead of traditional outdoor lighting. Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity, so you don’t have to worry about paying high electric bills anymore.
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Complicated Installation Process
Another disadvantage of using outdoor lighting is its complicated installation process. Installing outdoor lighting requires special skills and tools, so you’ll need to hire professionals who know how to install it. Otherwise, you might spend too much time figuring everything out yourself.
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Potential For Fire Hazard
If you live near dry grass or bush, you should be careful when choosing which type of outdoor lighting to purchase. Some types of outdoor lighting can cause fires if they fall onto dry vegetation.
To prevent this, keep your lawns well maintained and free of debris. Besides, never place outdoor lighting near firewood or other flammable materials.
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Not All Types Are Suitable For Every Home
Outdoor lighting comes in different shapes and sizes. While some are suitable for all homes, others require specific features.
For example, floodlights are great for illuminating large areas. However, they aren’t ideal for smaller spaces. Instead, spotlights are better suited for small rooms. To get the best illumination, choose the outdoor lighting that matches your space perfectly.
How To Choose The Best Outdoor Lights
Choosing the best outdoor lighting isn’t as easy as it seems. There are many factors to consider before purchasing one. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
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Consider Your Budget
Before buying anything, you should first determine your available budget. Once you know this, you can narrow down your options accordingly.
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Determine What Kind Of Light You Want
There are two kinds of outdoor lighting: directional and nondirectional. Directional lighting projects light in a particular direction. It’s perfect for illuminating pathways, driveways, and sidewalks.
Nondirectional lighting doesn’t project light in a particular direction; instead, it spreads light evenly across a wide area. Nondirectional lighting is ideal for illuminating larger areas such as patios, decks, and pools.
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Decide How Many Illuminations You Need
After determining the size of the area you want to illuminate, you’ll need to decide how much light you need. If you’re looking to illuminate a patio, deck, or pool, you’ll probably only need a few lamps. Meanwhile, if you want to light up a driveway or pathway, you’ll likely need more than just a few lights.
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Look At Different Styles
You shouldn’t limit yourself to traditional styles when shopping for outdoor lighting. Today, there are vast options of unique designs available, including modern, contemporary, rustic, and even vintage styles.
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Check Out The Warranty
You should also check the product warranty offered by each manufacturer. A good warranty ensures that you won’t have to pay for repairs or replacements if something goes wrong with your product.
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Make Sure That It’s Energy Efficient
Energy efficiency is another essential factor to consider when choosing outdoor lighting. Most manufacturers offer energy-efficient products. However, not all of them do. Therefore, you must read reviews about their products to determine the most energy-efficient ones.
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Avoid Overlooking Safety Features
Finally, don’t overlook safety features when choosing an outdoor lighting system. Some models come cheap because they lack some safety features. For instance, some models may be made cheaply using flimsy materials so they could break easily. In addition, some models may use bulbs that emit high heat levels. Remember that safety features should always be a priority when selecting any outdoor lighting, so ensure that yours has this feature checked.
Final Thoughts
Outdoor lighting, be it basic or grand, is something everyone needs at home. Whether you’re in a big city or a rural area, having quality lighting will improve your home’s overall appeal. Yet when making your purchase, ensure you consider the pros and cons of different types of outdoor lighting. Doing so will ensure you get the best possible solution for your specific lighting needs.
