Outdoor lights bring safety and accessibility to the exteriors of buildings. However, the results you obtain from these lights depend on the type of lights you use. So while there are wide varieties of outdoor lighting, finding the ones that are relevant and applicable to your needs becomes a matter of concern. Also, since outdoor lights are used from dusk to dawn, finding solutions that use less energy and better tech becomes crucial.
Hence, this article provides insight into the most commonly used types of outdoor lights, along with helpful suggestions to improve their performance and efficiency.
Different Types of Outdoor Lights
Canopy Lighting
As the name suggests, these lights are designed to be installed on outdoor canopies. These lights are built to suit the outdoor conditions of most geographical locations and the weather they experience. Also, since they are mainly used at commercial establishments, they must be able to resist strong vibrations.
These lights are primarily used at drive-through banks, restaurants, gas stations, parking spaces and other commercial establishments.
Floodlights
Such outdoor lighting has adjustable bases that allow the beam emanating from them to be projected per the user’s wish. These lights are widespread at outdoor events like rallies, fairs and sports grounds, providing great visibility. These lights are beneficial in outdoor spots where containers or machinery are repeatedly moved in industrial settings. These lights are characterised by their strong lighting capacity and beam shape that is wide enough to provide coverage to greater areas.
Linear Lighting
As the name suggests, these lights are characterised by their elongated and narrow build. Linear lights are commonly used in parking areas. They are resistant to the action of moisture, insects, and dust, as they come in hermetic designs and share some features and applications of canopy lights. The LED versions come in tube-shaped lamps, while the fluorescent versions come in tubular lamps fitted with a ballast. Nevertheless, a few linear LED lights contain light engines instead of tubes, with the LED arrays being spaced optimally.
Pole-Mounted Lighting
Pole-mounted lights mostly find their applications on open parking lots and streets. They come with a far-reaching beam, which is required to cover a great area. You are required to do some research before investing in such a fixture, as you would have to note the pole height you would like, the wind speed of the place the light is to be fixed, the type of mount you wish to use and, lastly, the environment. Care must also be taken to ensure the pole light you use does not cause lateral light projection, as it may lead to glaring that could affect drivers and other people around.
Wall Packs
Wall packs are self-contained lighting fixtures installed directly on the walls without the support of poles. Based on the shape of their beams, these lights can be classified into full-cutoff wall packs that concentrate all the light into a narrow beam or semi-cutoff that projects some of the light laterally. Contrary to the pole-mounted fixtures, where light is to be projected onto larger areas, these lights are used to illuminate the surroundings of the building adjacent to the walls.
In Conclusion
There are various kinds of outdoor lighting, each designed to be used for different purposes. There are also variations among the different fixture types available. Also, keep in mind to note the requirements and power usage ratings of these devices to ensure you don’t incur high after-sales costs. To fully utilise these lights, noting and fully understanding your requirements and conducting thorough research on the kinds of lights you choose to buy becomes crucial.
