Outdoor Lighting

What is Outdoor Lighting?

As implied by their name, outdoor lighting fixtures are installed on the exteriors of residential homes and commercial buildings. Exterior fixtures serve two basic purposes: during the day, outdoor decorative lights elevate a property’s curb appeal with their unique style. At night, the same outdoor lights brighten these spaces, offering a sense of safety and security, along with the illumination needed for a venue to feel welcoming.

Types of Outdoor Lighting

With endless combinations for mountings, shade styles, and finish options, every property can receive exterior lighting fixtures complementing its preferred aesthetic. Installation outside necessitates special features and mountings to protect the fixture’s wiring. Typical mountings for outdoor spaces include:

• Gooseneck Lighting
• Wall Sconces
• Post Mount Lights
• Post Top Lights
• Ceiling Mounted Lights

Most of these mountings conceal the wiring and other electrical components behind durable metal stems and arms. While many pendants are rated solely for interior spaces, select cords can be installed on covered porches, entryways, and other “damp” areas — spaces where the lights will not come in direct contact with precipitation.

Outdoor Lighting Usage

Many outdoor spaces require their own specialized sources of illumination, and as a result numerous exterior lights have been created to fill these roles.

• In public parks, parking lots, and other areas far from the home or commercial building, post mount lights are used to make these spaces feel more hospitable and secure. Large public docks regularly include nautical and RLM-style post mount lights. Smaller nautical and rustic outdoor lights are available for private docks and boat launches.
• Because they distance the shade from the wall, goosenecks are the most common outdoor lights used to brighten the sidewalks and other walkways directly bordering houses and commercial buildings.
• Outdoor patio lighting typically consists of goosenecks and wall sconces. These lights flank sliding glass and French doors to make patios and decks functional late into the night.
• Garage lighting also includes wall lighting like goosenecks and sconces. Along with the brightness these fixtures provide, they also elevate the garage’s curb appeal and provide personality to an often overlooked space.
• To greet guests with style and inviting light, many entryways and front porches feature wall sconces next to the door. On bigger front porches, a gooseneck light is used for the additional distance from the wall. Entryways with tall, vaulted ceilings can show off a stem mounted or a damp-rated cord hung pendant.

With carefully selected outdoor lights, houses and businesses receive their own distinct curb appeal and ample illumination. Truly custom exterior lights can be created with various finishes, styles, and accessories.