What Wattage For Outdoor Lights - Outdoor Lighting Ideas

What Wattage for Outdoor Lights?

When choosing outdoor lights, wattage is an important consideration. The wattage of a light bulb determines its brightness. Too little wattage and your lights will be too dim to be effective. Too much wattage and your lights will be too bright, creating glare and light pollution.

The ideal wattage for outdoor lights depends on a number of factors, including the size of the area you're lighting, the height of the lights, and the type of light fixture you're using. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the wattage, the brighter the light.

Wattage Guidelines for Different Types of Outdoor Lights

The following table provides wattage guidelines for different types of outdoor lights:

Type of Light

Wattage Range

| |---|---|---| | Path lights | 5-15 watts | | Floodlights | 50-150 watts | | Spotlights | 50-150 watts | | Bollard lights | 15-30 watts | | Wall-mounted lights | 15-50 watts | | Deck lights | 5-15 watts |

Factors to Consider When Choosing Wattage

When choosing the wattage for your outdoor lights, you should consider the following factors:

The size of the area you're lighting. Larger areas require higher wattage lights.
The height of the lights. Lights that are mounted higher should have higher wattage bulbs.
The type of light fixture you're using. Some light fixtures are designed for higher wattage bulbs than others.
The amount of light pollution you want to create. Higher wattage bulbs produce more light pollution.

Using a Light Meter

If you're not sure what wattage is right for your outdoor lights, you can use a light meter to measure the amount of light in the area you're lighting. This will help you determine the wattage you need to achieve the desired level of brightness.

Conclusion

Choosing the right wattage for your outdoor lights is important for safety, security, and aesthetics. By following the guidelines provided in this article, you can choose the perfect wattage for your outdoor lighting needs.