HOMEnhancements Outdoor Lights

Uses of exterior lighting include many residential and commercial applications, such as landscape lighting, parking lot lights, deck lights, backyard lights, outdoor security lighting, and doorway lights. Unlike indoor lights, outdoor lights withstand harsh temperatures and a wide range of weather conditions. Each variety of light serves a different purpose in illuminating outdoor spaces.

Flood lighting, also called security lighting, brightly illuminates outdoor spaces in a home or commercial area. Some outdoor flood light options include motion sensor lights, which help you save on your energy bill by only remaining on when needed and switching off when people exit the space. LED motion activated lighting protects your home by identifying suspicious people or objects, while Dual head flood lights allow you to maximize brightness by using two bulbs that point in opposite directions.

Patio lighting fixtures use less lumens than flood lighting, and illuminate the area for specific tasks, such as grilling.

The label "Dark Sky Compliant" refers to outdoor light fixtures designed in a way that reduces light pollution. HOMEnhancements sells many Dark Sky compliant outdoor wall lights in a wide range of sizes, including 6, 7, 8, 9, and 15 inches, and a wide range of color and finish options include a brushed nickel, textured black, or frosted glass finish.

Make sure you purchase the right size bulb if your outdoor lighting fixtures do not include the bulb. Many HOMEnhancements outdoor lights use a bulb with an E26 base. Make sure the wattage of the bulb matches the wattage of your light fixture since LED lights emit a high lumen count at a lower wattage, which helps you save energy without compromising on brightness.

Lumens measure the brightness of your light, so the number of lumens you need depends on the size of the space you wish to illuminate. A small space such as a driveway or patio needs between 500-1,500 lumens, while a large space needs between 1,600 and 2,000 lumens. Security lights typically use 700-1,300 lumens. You can also choose your lumen count based on whether you want your space to be super bright or more on the dim side. Calculate the lux or foot candles of your space to determine how well a fixture will illuminate a certain size space.

In addition to lumen count, you want to pair your bulb with a fixture that directs the light in your desired space and reduces glare and shadows. After all, your security light won't work if it creates shadows rather than eliminates spaces for criminals to hide!