Porch Lighting

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Why Are Porch Lights Good For Home Security

From wall porch lights, ceiling porch lights and path lights along the steps, there are many ways to use porch lights for home security. 

First and foremost, a well-lit space can deter intruders. Those who might want to break into your home are less likely to try if there are no shadows for them to sneak around in. Eliminating these hiding spots can greatly hinder any attempt to enter your home.

In a similar vein, a well-lit space gives you better visibility of the property. If someone tries to sneak up unannounced, you can clearly see them. Better visibility also makes it easier for your neighbors to see your property so that they can report suspicious activity to you if it occurs.

If you have security cameras around the property, having bright porch lights will make it easier for the cameras to pick up activity. The footage that you collect will have clearer images that you can review and potentially turn in to the police. 

Motion activated porch lights are particularly effective in alerting you to potential intruders. The lights will turn on when there is activity in the area, alerting you to the movement so you can take appropriate steps.

What are IP Ratings And What Do You Need For Porch Lighting

Outdoor front porch lights are exposed to the elements in some capacity due to the simple fact that they are outside. If you want to protect your lights from weather damage, you’ll need to understand IP ratings. 

IP ratings, or ingress protection ratings, are a way to communicate the durability of a light. These indicate a fixture’s resistance to moisture and debris. The first digit refers to the resistance to solid objects, while the second indicates its moisture resistance. 

First Digit – Solids 

0  –  No protection against solid objects

1  –  Protection against entry of solids that are larger than 50 millimeters in diameter 

2  –  Protection against entry of solids that are larger than 12.5 millimeters in diameter

3  –  Protection against entry of solids that are larger than 2.5 millimeters in diameter 

4  –  Protection against entry of solids that are larger than one millimeter in diameter

5  –  Dust protected; most dust cannot get inside

6  –  Dust tight; no dust can get inside 

Second Digit – Liquids 

0  –  No protection against liquids

1  –  Protection against vertically falling water drops

2  –  Protection against water drops falling at 15 degrees vertically 

3  –  Protected against water spraying at 60 degrees vertically

4  –  Protection against splashes of water from any direction

5  –  Protection against low-pressure water jets

6  –  Protection against high-pressure water jets

7  –  Protection against brief immersion in water up to three meters in depth

8  –  Protection against prolonged immersion deeper than three meters

When it comes to porch lights, you should have lights that are a minimum of IP44. However, to be extra safe, it is recommended that you choose lights with an IP65 rating.

Design Ideas For An Outdoor Porch Area

Outside porch lights are an easy way to enhance the visual appeal of your home. There are many exterior illumination options that you can incorporate into your porch area to get the job done. 

 

Focus on the Door

By focusing on the front door itself, you can create a sort of focal point at the front of your house. Outside porch ceiling lights above the door or wall lights on either side will draw attention to the door itself. You can also paint the door a vibrant colour to add further to its visual appeal. 

 

Bring the Inside Out 

By installing furniture and front porch lights that are similar to your interior design, you can create a flowing, cohesive look. Use similar colours, textures and even light colour temperatures to make the outside feel like a cosy extension of the interior. 

 

Go Bold With Lighting 

Outdoor porch ceiling lights can transform the porch into an impressive space. Use oversized lights that hang overhead to create a dramatic front porch area and draw attention to the door. 

 

Add an Interesting Railing

Make your porch feel zoned off while enhancing its appearance with a unique railing. One of the top-recommended choices is a gingerbread railing. This adds unique detail to the porch and can give it plenty of personality.

 

Go for One Fixture

While creating symmetry with two wall lights is always a great idea, having one porch light can also make its own statement. Front door lights that consist of a single sconce by the door or a single pendant light give the space a modern, clean feeling.

 

Play With Materials

Porch lights come in a variety of styles, materials and finishes. Get creative and try different styles to test out different themes. Brass porch lights, chrome lights and everything in between can alter your porch design for the better.

Why Are LED's The Best Porch Lighting Option

LED lights are increasing in popularity for the many perks they offer over traditional lights. The best outdoor lighting fixtures are those with LED bulbs for the ways they outshine halogen bulbs.

Energy efficiency is usually the main draw of an LED light. LED bulbs use 80 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, putting less strain on your electrical system.

Eco-friendly outdoor lighting is another perk of LED lights. Since they use less energy, they help reduce your overall carbon footprint. LEDs are also usually made of recyclable parts so that you won’t be filling landfills with your old lightbulbs. 

Rated to last tens of thousands of hours, LED lights won’t need constant replacement. With limited replacements and less electricity used, LED bulbs can save you a lot of money in several different ways. 

They are also quite versatile. LED lights come in a number of colour temperatures and brightness levels so that you can find the one that fits your home the best. Beyond that, they emit very little heat, unlike halogen bulbs, so standing under the porch lights won’t make you feel overheated.

How To Position Porch Wall Lighting

Porch wall lights look best when they are properly installed and presented. By placing them carefully and strategically, you can ensure your entryway is as stylish and well lit as it is welcoming. 

To decide how you want to position the lights, you should first decide exactly what you want to use your lights for. This means thinking about whether you are primarily concerned about providing atmospheric ambient lighting or security lighting. This will help direct where to place the fixtures. 

If security light is your main concern, place the lighting near vulnerable areas. This includes near windows, doors and pathways. Doing so will ensure everywhere you want to be clearly visible will be. 

Wall lights for porch spaces need to stay out of the way while remaining unobstructed. To achieve this, mount the fixtures around eye level and avoid causing glare. 

Generally, it is recommended to hang lights five or six feet from the surface below. Be sure the lights are placed symmetrically on either side of the entryway for a well-rounded look. 

If your porch has any unique architectural features, you can use your external porch light to highlight them. Use wall lights to shine light up or down on the unique features and create a stunning visual display around your entryway. 

If you have any landscape lighting nearby, be sure you take it into account. You don’t want surrounding lights to wash out the porch. You will also need to be sure plants are not obstructing the wall lights due to being overgrown.

Porch light maintenance is a crucial part of your lighting design. Maintenance ensures that lights are always working at their best and providing adequate illumination. There are various ways to maintain your lights.

  • REGULAR CLEANING. Be sure you clean off any dust or debris from the light regularly. Simply turn off the power to the lights, dust off any cobwebs and debris from the lights, and then wipe them down with mild soap and water. Avoid any abrasive cleaners so you don’t scratch the lights.
  • LOOK FOR DAMAGE. Take a look at the frame of the lights and see if there is any rust, corrosion or other type of damage. You will also want to make sure the electrical components, such as sockets and wiring, are still in good shape.
  • TIGHTEN UP ANY LOOSE AREAS. Turn off the power and then tighten up any loose bolts or screws to ensure the lights are stable.
  • WEATHERPROOF THE FIXTURES. Semi-regularly applying weather-proofing agents to the lights can further protect them from the elements. Seal up any cracks or gaps in the fixtures using silicone caulking. You should also apply rust resistant coatings to protect them from corrosion.
  • ADD LUBRICATION. If the lights have any sort of moving parts, lubricate them to ensure that they are able to swivel and turn with ease.
  • TRIM PLANTS. Avoid plant debris or obstructions by trimming any nearby vegetation that is touching or will be too close to the lights in the future. This will also stop it from growing onto the porch or casting shadows.

Your outdoor porch lights can be controlled in a number of different ways depending on your preferences and how you’re using the lights. Below are a few of the choices available to you: 

  • MANUAL SWITCHES. These are the most common and traditional options available. They are familiar and easy to use and require no fancy technology to operate. This does mean, however, that you won’t be able to set the lights on a timer or control them remotely.
  • MOTION ACTIVATED PORCH LIGHTS. Motion sensors will turn lights on and off according to movement in the area. These automatic lights are energy efficient and convenient and are commonly used in security lighting.
  • LIGHT SENSORS. Photocell sensors, or dusk to dawn sensors, observe the light level and turn on and off according to it. They will automatically adjust to the natural light levels in the area, giving you hands-free and convenient control.
  • SMART LIGHTING. From voice commands to schedule-setting, smart lighting lets you control the porch lights in a variety of ways. You can control the lights from anywhere through an app as well, so you can turn them on for guests when you’re away from home.

TIMERS. By setting lights on a timer, you can set them to automatically turn on and off at certain times of the day. This is not only convenient but also adds to security. Turning the lights on automatically can give the impression that someone is home even when you’re away.

When it comes to porch lights outdoor fixtures, there are a few general rules of thumb to follow and mistakes you should avoid. Doing so will help you make the most of your porch outdoor lights. 

DO: 

  • DO take overall design into account. Consider the design of your home and its architectural style. When shopping for lights, purchase porch ceiling lights and wall lights with those in mind to ensure they match.
  • DO ensure it’s well lit. Front door lighting is important for visibility, security and aesthetics. Be sure you are installing lights bright enough to make it easy to see while also enhancing the visual appeal of the area.
  • DO use smart lighting. Whether that means setting lights on a timer or allowing control over the lights from a distance, smart lighting can make the porch lights more accessible and convenient. You can also use smart lights to dim the illumination or brighten it depending on the time of day.
  • DO install lights at eye level. Wall lights should be installed between five and six feet from the ground. This ensures that no glare is caused, so the light is more pleasant to look at.
  • DO use LED bulbs. LED bulbs have many benefits, from energy efficiency to versatility. Make the most of your porch lights by choosing these bulbs over traditional halogen bulbs.
  • DO install durable lighting. Since your porch lights will be exposed to the elements in some capacity, durable lighting is crucial. Cold resistant outdoor lights and other weather resistant outdoor lighting will prevent the fixtures from deteriorating before their time.
  • DO have a qualified electrician install the lights. Outdoor light fixture installation poses the risk of danger if you aren’t entirely sure about what you’re doing. In order to avoid the risk of electrical shock or wiring the lights incorrectly, get a professional out there to handle it for you.

DON’T: 

  • DON’T prioritise aesthetics above all. Be sure that you are taking into account a light’s ability to illuminate a space as well as its appearance.
  • DON’T cause light pollution. Avoid causing light pollution with lights shining upwards or onto your neighbor’s properties. Using shielded fixtures or downward-facing lights can help with this.
  • DON’T forget the dimmers. Add dimmable lighting to give you better control over the look of the light throughout the early evening and nighttime.
  • DON’T neglect colour temperature. Choose a colour temperature that best suits your porch lighting needs. Cooler lights are better for visibility in terms of porch security lighting, while warmer lights are better for an inviting, cosy atmosphere.
  • DON’T forget maintenance. Take care to occasionally examine and clean the fixtures to ensure they always look their best. 
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