Outdoor lighting is essential for all homes. In particular, exterior lights not only have safety features but they also make the home curb more appealing.
Such exterior lighting is essential in setting the tone for visitors before they get to enjoy interior lighting ambience.
Therefore, here are six questions you need to ponder about before making outdoor light purchases.
What exactly are my outdoor lighting needs?
This question seems rather obvious but it’s the heart of the matter of hunting for exterior lights.
Thinking it through reveals your actual outdoor lighting needs. More specifically, think about places you want to mount the outdoor lights for either aesthetic appeal or safety reasons.
Next, how many lights do you need?
Having a bit too many lights might appear slightly overdone but having very few lights can trigger safety and curb aesthetic issues especially in such exterior lighting applications.
How high and big are the electrical boxes for installing exterior sconces?
When replacing old exterior lights, find out the size and height of the electrical box. A suitable recommended height is around 60- 65 inches (152-165cm) from the light center to the ground.
Why? It’s a height that falls at the eye level of most people. Also, the electrical box height informs whether some roof protrusions might block some exterior lights with tall tops.
Secondly, how big is the existing electrical box? Checking this ensures the new light fixture covers the electrical box entirely to prevent gaping holes or sides.
In some scenarios, you may be compelled to patch gaping holes of the electrical box if a light fixture has a smaller backplate.
However, the best case scenario is having backplates that cover the entirety of the existing electrical box.
How tall are doors beside which exterior sconces will hang?
Talking door height brings the question of size to the fore. It’s common sense to always select a correctly-sized light fixture to ensure that it just fits both aesthetically and physically in its space.
For exterior wall sconces, mind about the window or door size they will be installed next to. The recommended exterior sconce size is about a quarter (¼) the exterior doors heights.
These doors can either be garage doors or front doors. It only makes sense that exterior light fixtures appear proportionate to front doors vis-a-vis garage doors.
Comparing the two scenarios, front door light fixtures will obviously be smaller while garage door lights will be larger so that they appear properly scaled. (See exterior sizing guide for details).
Do I require damp-rated or wet-rated light fixtures?
Where will you install your outdoor lighting? Most exterior lights are wet-rated since they are meant for outdoor use, exposed to varying weather elements.
However, there are specific damp-rated light fixtures that work effectively in places that shelter a light e.g. under gazebos, covered porches, etcetera.
In this case, it’s best to buy the wet-rated fixtures as they can withstand the elements and still work under shelter.
Do I want to highlight any exterior aspects of my yard or home?
It’s good to think beyond sconces in outdoor lighting and move focus towards landscape lighting.
Landscape lighting aids in highlighting specific landscape features. For example, landscape lighting ensures properly-lit pathways, good lighting for outdoor entertainment spots, etcetera.
How much is my budget for outdoor lighting?
Your budget determines the kind of exterior lights you can buy. Very high-end (sometimes custom designs) or low-end light fixtures are available in the market.
Think about your budget as you remember that exterior lights greatly impact your home’s curb appeal and safety.
Find a price compromise that aligns with both your home’s value and your budget.
Remember that if you come across a high-end light that you like but is out of reach budget-wise, look out for similar fixtures from different manufacturers – you are likely to find more affordable options.
