The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing outdoor court lights

Outside lighting serves multifaceted purposes, ranging from functional to purely aesthetic. It illuminates pathways, enhances security, and adds charm to patios and balconies. Whether you're a homeowner eager to adopt the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv, translating to 'free air life' and emphasizing a connection with nature, or simply looking to safely light up an entrance, this guide delves into the world of outside lighting. We cover popular styles, installation tips, and key buying considerations to help you make an informed decision.

Outside LED Lights vs. Indoor Lights

Outside and indoor LED lights have distinct characteristics, benefits, and potential hazards. Here’s what sets outside lights apart:• Durability: Outside lights are built to endure harsh weather conditions, using non-corrosive materials like stainless steel, marine glass, or robust plastics.• Safety: With approximately 1,000 electrocution fatalities in the U.S. annually, outside lights are designed with safety as a priority. Look for UL or ETL safety ratings, and ensure the fixture is watertight to protect the electrical components.• Mounting: These lights come with specialized mounting devices, allowing for secure installation on walls, fences, and into the ground.• Versatility of LED Bulbs: Most LED bulbs are suitable for both indoor and outside settings. To ensure compatibility and safety for outdoor use, check the bulb’s UL rating, which indicates if it can be used in wet and damp locations.

Types of Outside Lighting

When it comes to outside lighting, there are four basic types: ambient, task, accent, and security. Under these broad categories sit a wide range of style and mounting options.

Outside Wall Lighting

Lighting designers typically mount outside lights on the wall to make a commercial or residential area safer for nighttime use or create a more comfortable setting.Install sconces or porch lights on a patio wall to provide light for balmy summer BBQ parties. Wall packs can help you illuminate a large section of the wall in a commercial warehouse. Use upward-directed outdoor LED flood lights to draw attention to an advertising billboard.Manufacturers design wall-mounted outdoor lights to sit flush against a wall, so they’re often sealed with silicone caulk to help them stay watertight.Actual 80 watt wall pack light installation

Outside Ground or Landscape Lighting

In homes, people use outside ground lights to highlight specific areas of a garden or define a driveway’s perimeter. Commercially, ground lights can help a freight truck driver know where to pull up to unload or illuminate a restaurant’s alfresco dining area.Like the recessed lights you see in ceilings, electricians usually sink ground lights into pavers, concrete, or decking. These discreet lighting systems need to sit flush with the surrounding surface. That way, they don’t become a trip hazard.

Outside Area Lighting

With area lighting design, you’re only limited by your imagination.Trendy outdoor LED string lights look great around a pool area or outside a tiny home. LED street lights and led parking lot lights keep you safe when walking, hiking, or driving at night. Illuminate an outdoor tennis court or baseball field light with high-lumen area lights to extend the hours of play.When installing area lights in natural areas like nature reserves or forested residential properties, consider using dark sky compliant lighting. Manufactured to DLC (Design Light Consortium) standards, these lights help reduce light pollution.

Outside Solar Lighting

What could be better than solar lighting? It’s easy to install, low-maintenance, and cuts down on your energy bills. Today, there’s a solar equal for almost any outside lighting you might need: street lights, wall lights, floodlights, and   even garden lights.This lighting system is perfect for less accessible areas of a home or commercial space or a client trying to reduce their carbon footprint.

What to Consider When Buying LED Outside Lights

Outside lights are lights that are installed in the exterior of your house or building to provide lighting for various outdoor purposes, such as safety, security, aesthetics, or functionality. Outside lights can come in different types, such as wall lights, flood lights, landscape lights, or sensor lights. When purchasing and installing outside lights, you need to consider some important factors, such as:

The lumens and light Brightness For Outside Lighting

The lumens and light brightness: The lumens is the amount of light that the light produces; the light brightness is the perception of how bright the light is. You need to choose outside lights that have enough lumens and brightness to suit your needs and preferences. For example, for outside lighting, you can use bulbs within these lumen ranges:•  Path and step lighting: 12 to 200 lumens•  Wall lights: 50 to lumens•  Landscape (garden and shrubbery) lighting: 50 to 300 lumens•  Swimming pool lighting: 200 to 400 lumens•  Security lighting (including sensor lights): 300 to lumens•  Outdoor LED flood lights: 700 to lumensIt is also essential to buy high-quality bulbs and fixtures that can maintain their lumens and brightness over time and avoid any losses due to heating or lensing

Kelvins and Light Color

•  The kelvins and light color: The kelvins is the measure of how warm or cool the light appears, ranging from yellowish to bluish tones; the light color is the hue or shade of the light, ranging from red to violet in the visible spectrum. You need to choose outside lights that have a suitable Kelvins (K) and color temperature for your space and mood. For example:•  Warm white: This is a color temperature between K and K, which is warm and yellow. It provides a cozy and friendly atmosphere for your space. It is suitable for homes, restaurants, or other places where you want to create a relaxing and inviting mood.•  Neutral white: This is a color temperature between K and K, which is neither too warm nor too cool. It provides a bright and clear light that resembles natural daylight. It is suitable for work areas, meeting rooms, or other places where you want to enhance the visibility and contrast of your space. •  Cool white: This is a color temperature between K and K, which is very cool and blue. It provides a crisp and sharp light that can highlight the details and colors of your space. It is suitable for large spaces, outside spaces, or other places where you want to create a dramatic and stunning effect for your space. This image shows different Kelvin options vs HPS

Mounting Your Outside Lights

•  The mount type and size of your outside lights: The mount type is the way the light is attached to the surface or the structure; the mount size is the dimension of the base or the bracket of the light. You need to choose outside lights that have a compatible mount type and size with your existing light or your desired location. For example:•  Wall mount: This is a mount type that attaches the light to the wall or other vertical surfaces. It can provide directional and focused lighting for walls or other features. It can also have different mount sizes, such as arm mounts, yoke mounts, or flood mounts. •  Pole mount: This is a mount type that attaches the light to a pole or other vertical structures. It can provide wide and uniform lighting for large outside areas, such as parking lots, streets, parks, or stadiums. It can also have different mount sizes, such as slip fit mounts or yoke mounts. •  Ground mount: This is a mount type that attaches the light to the ground or other horizontal surfaces. It can provide upward and downward lighting for gardens, patios, driveways, or pools. It can also have different mount sizes,such as spike mounts or spike mounts. 

Outside Lights Options

You need to choose outside lights that have a high efficiency and useful features to suit your needs and preferences. For example:•  Photocells: These are devices that can detect the amount of ambient light and turn the outside light on or off automatically according to the preset level. This feature can save energy and money by avoiding unnecessary lighting during the day or night.•  Motion sensors: These are devices that can detect the presence or movement of people or objects and turn the outside light on or off accordingly. This feature can save energy and money by avoiding wasteful lighting when no one is around or by providing lighting when someone is approaching.•  Dimmers: These are devices that can adjust the brightness or intensity of the outside light according to the user's preference or the occasion. This feature can create different effects and moods for the space by using different levels of light.

Photometrics and Professional Lighting Designers

If you need professional advice on purchasing and installing outside lights, you can consult with a lighting expert who can help you with a photometric study and find the best products and solutions for your project.

Outdoor yard lights not only provide security but also enhance the look of your yard. But, when it comes to buying yard lights, many questions arise. Which are the best outdoor yard lights? How do you decide which lights to buy? In this buyer's guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to buy the best outdoor yard lights for your home. Let's get started!

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The Best Outdoor Yard Lights - Buyer's Guide

Helios Outdoor LED Wall Light by Residence Supply

To buy the best outdoor lights for your yard, you must gain knowledge about yard lights. This section explores different types of yardlights and lighting options. Besides, you’ll also learn key factors that can help you make an informed decision.

A. Different Types of Outdoor Yard Lights
1. Outdoor Wall Lamps

Outdoor wall-mounted lights illuminate their surroundings. You can place them near the garage, window, or entryway. They might appear smaller when seen from a distance. It’s better to check the lighting view from far away when going for wall scones.

2. Outdoor Ceiling or Pendant Lights

Circum Surface Mount Light by Residence Supply

These outdoor yard lights add a touch of elegance to your porches or patios. Outdoor ceiling lights can withstand harsh weather conditions. They are available in various styles and finishes. The outdoor pendant lights bring both style and practicality to your yard.

3. Outdoor Post Lamps

Outdoor post lamps offer added protection to your property. You can install them atop posts or fences. These outdoor lights offer 360 degrees of light coverage. They are useful in illuminating driveways or walking paths.

4. Flood and Security Lights

Security and flood lights illuminate a large coverage area. These outdoor lights for yard are durable against any harsh weather conditions. They are available with waterproof and water-resistant features. You can place security lights at the highest possible point. It can be either from a wall or roof overhang. 

Flood lights are the best outdoor yard lights as they cast the widest beam. Therefore, they are the best choices for dark outdoor spaces like an alley, walkway, or driveway.

5. Landscape Lights

Ray Outdoor In-ground Light by Residence Supply

These lights light up the footpaths and garden. You can also use them to highlight the features of your yard. You must choose waterproof landscape lights to withstand water. Here are the various types of landscape lights:

• Deck lights - You can use them under railings and on the staircase.
• In-ground lights - They can illuminate the trees and the garden.
• Low-voltage lights- You can wire them along fences, steps, walls, and trees.
• Spotlights - They cast light upward on tree limbs or downward on a flower bed.

6. Path Light

These outdoor lights add glamour to walkways and driveways. They are also great for added safety and security. You can place these lights on both sides of a driveway or along the walkway. They are also useful for adding to in-ground steps or pools. 

B. Different Types of Outdoor Yard Lighting Options

Outdoor Yard Lighting Based on Technologically Advanced Features

1. Motion-activated Outdoor Lights for Yard

These outdoor lights for the yard automatically turn on when the sensors detect motion. They are available in wide-beam and focused-beam styles. Wide beams act as security lights, and focused beams act as path lights.

2. Solar Outdoor Lights 

You don’t need electricity for solar-powered lights. They collect energy from the sun and store it in their rechargeable batteries. So, you can cut down on your electricity costs. These lights are easy to install. 

3. Dusk-to-Dawn Lights

These lights come with photocell sensors, which activate with the setting of the sun. You can also pair these lights with motion sensors, so they can turn on only when needed. Thus, you can save energy.

Link to UHS

4. Dark Sky Compliant Outdoor Yard Lights

These outdoor yardlights can reduce light pollution. They are designed to direct the glow toward the ground. These lights are helpful for the people living near the ocean.

5. Smart Lighting Option

It is a smart way to control all your outdoor yardlights. You need to use one app interface for this. You can use the app by tapping or giving voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can even set a timer for the lights. There are also other smart light features, like:

• Dimming
• Adjusting color 
• Controlling brightness
• Using remote controls

Outdoor Yard Lighting Based on Light Bulbs

i. CFL (compact fluorescent) Bulbs

These light bulbs can get very hot. They contain CFLs contain mercury. So, you need to be very careful when these bulbs break. They offer decent brightness. These light bulbs can be a budget-friendly option for outdoor lighting.

ii. Halogen Bulbs

Halogen bulbs offer bright and focused lighting. But they make a lot of noise when they operate. They also generate a lot of heat, which can reduce their energy efficiency. These light bulbs can highlight specific areas of your yard. 

iii. HID (high-intensity discharge) Bulbs 

HID bulbs pass an electrical current through a gas-filled tube. These light bulbs produce an intense, bright light that is excellent for large outdoor areas. People generally use HID bulbs for parking lots and other spaces that require high levels of illumination.

iv. LED (light-emitting diode) Bulbs

Mycena Outdoor Garden Lamp by Residence Supply

LED bulbs are the most popular lighting option for outdoor lights. Outdoor wall LED lights or in-ground solar LED lights last for a long time. LED bulbs are more energy efficient than any other bulbs. They are available in various colors and brightness levels. They cost more than other bulbs. But their low maintenance makes them worth the investment. 

C. Key Factors to Consider When Buying Outdoor Yard Lights

Environment 

Different places have different environments. Consider the environment where you want to install outdoor yard lights. Is it dry in summer, or does it rain in the winter? The lights you choose for your yard have to survive against this environment. So it’s better to know under which conditions the lights will be exposed. 

Amount of Power Available

Consider how much power is available where you’ll install yard lights. Are there electricity sources available? Will you need any additional resources? This will help you to determine the number of fixtures you can use. Besides, it will also help you to decide whether you need a solar-powered lighting option. 

The Style and Design of the Outdoor Yard Light

You can get a wide variety of outdoor yard light designs. You must choose the ones that can enhance the look of your yard. These lights must also meet your functional requirements. Besides, also choose what technology feature you want in your lights. Do you want to opt for dusk-to-dawn lights or dimming options? Or do you want a smart lighting option? 

Your Budget

Always set a budget before buying outdoor yard lights. This will help you to narrow down your options. Lighting options and designs vary in price depending on their features, materials, and energy sources. You can choose the options based on their prices. Thus, setting a clear budget will prevent overspending.

Outdoor Lights for Yard - FAQ

1. What is the best rating for outdoor lighting?

IP ratings between 44 and 65 are ideal for outdoor use.  IP rating below 44 is used only for indoors, however. IP44 rating indicates that these outdoor lights can withstand rain and can be used outdoors. However, this does not mean they should be exposed to pressurized water. IP54 outdoor lights offer the same water protection. However, they are much stronger as they can resist dust particles larger than 1mm.

2. How many lumens do I need for outdoor yard light?

The lumen for outdoor yardlights depends on their placement and brightness. Landscape outdoor lights must emit 50-300 lumen. Path lights must emit between 100 and 200 lumens. The recommended lumen for floodlights and lamp posts are 700- and 120-180, respectively. 

3. How many watts for yard lights?

The best wattage for outdoor yardlights is 40 watts and lower. Anything less than 40 watts is ideal for lighting pathways and garden beds. You can even use them for other landscape areas.

Driveways and smaller yards may need 40 watts or more. Anything above 80 watts works best as security lights. These are ideal for larger lawns and driveways.

4. What is the best color for outdoor lights?

Neutral white light looks natural in the yard, especially in the garden or foliage. Go for warm lighting for the places you use for gatherings.

Are You Ready to Enhance Your Outdoor Space with Outdoor Lights for Yard?

Outdoor yard lights can enhance your yard's beauty, safety, and functionality. Lighting up your yard with the perfect lighting solutions can also create an inviting atmosphere for gatherings. You must know where, when, and how you want to illuminate your yard. 

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