15
Jan
Choosing the right type of outdoor light fixtures for your home can be a bit difficult when you don’t know what to look for. There are so many different types and so many different light fixtures for you to choose from, the best way of knowing which ones would be right for your home is by understanding the way they work and what different styles and option you have. Below is a quick guide to understanding outdoor light fixtures including the way they work and the type of lights you should choose based on the weather and more.
Like most light fixtures, an outdoor light fixture is made of three parts: light fixture, transformer, and electric cable – which all basically run on 12 volts. One important thing to remember is that your transformer should be able to handle at least up to 25 percent more wattage than the wattage of the lamp. The best example to give you of this is if you have a fixture that uses 12-20 watts the transformer will need to be able to handle at least 300 watts.
One thing most people don’t really think about when looking for outdoor light fixtures is how durable and waterproof they are. It’s very similar to bathroom lighting in the fact that an IP rating is there to indicate the level of protection the lighting has against moisture and water. They are known as IP numbers and the rating system goes as follows. The first rating is IPx3 which offers protection against water up to 60 degrees and from a vertical angle like rain, IPx4 offers protection against water from any angle, IPx5 offers protection from water jets from any angle. This is crucial for safety as we all know water conducts electricity so you need to make sure that all wiring is protected and all metal work is earthed. If you do not know how to do this yourself, you need to find a qualified electrician to do this for you.
There are so many different styles that outdoor light fixtures come in which range from low profile to classic tall baroque. Whichever lighting fixture you choose you want to make sure that it matches the style of your home. For example, if your home is more of a modern architectural style you should choose something more minimalist or sleek, if you home has a more cottage feel or Victorian style, then you should choose a more whimsical style lighting fixture.
You should also plan ahead and create a proper lighting plan. You can, of course, combine different styles of outdoor light fixtures together – the key is not to go overboard. Feel free to play with the lighting fixtures and make sure that it highlights your yard’s best features, for instance if there is a spot or an item that you don’t want to be noticed keep it in the shadows so you don’t draw too much attention to those areas.
If you are someone who is really proud of their yard then you can add a spotlight for some real drama. A spotlight will really bring out the different textures and colours, or you can add some shadow lights of backlights to features you really love to emphasize the silhouette and outline. These tricks work really well with sculptures.
Keep in mind that you will be the one that look at this outdoor project every day, therefore plan everything ahead and play only with ideas that don’t have a big potential for things going wrong for you.
Hopefully, this short guide has given you some knowledge and inspiration leaving you feeling ready and prepared to go out and choose some great outdoor light fixtures. You can find them in many home improvement stores, just do a quick search online to find a place near you.
