Because they allow outdoor spaces to be lit efficiently while giving them a certain charm, exterior wall lights are very useful in our gardens. Beyond aesthetic considerations, other elements must absolutely be taken into account to make the right choice.
What features should you choose for your outdoor wall light?
When you buy a wall light, it is often to make your daily life easier and to enjoy your outdoors more. It is then appropriate to choose the model with the functionalities best suited to the use you wish to make of it:
For a wall light to be used outdoors, it must be
waterproof
enough to withstand bad weather. Also, be sure to choose a wall light with an IP protection index greater than 65;
Choose a wall light made from a
solid and resistant material
, particularly to corrosion. This will greatly facilitate its daily maintenance and will allow you to extend its lifespan;
Some outdoor wall lights have
motion sensors
. A very practical feature that allows them to be turned on without having to press a switch. There are also exterior wall lights controlled remotely with a remote control or with an application installed on your smartphone;
Opting for an adjustable
exterior wall light
allows you to highlight certain decorative elements in your garden. It is also an interesting option for lighting a particular space such as your front door for example;
There are front exterior wall lights and others with
light beams
that can be ascending or descending. The former produce more light while the latter allow you to better target the area you wish to illuminate.
What type of bulb should you choose for your outdoor wall light?
Choosing an LED bulb for your outdoor wall light is an inexpensive and durable option since this type of bulb has a long lifespan and consumes very little electricity. Copyright (c) 2023 Virrage Images/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
Depending on the type of bulb chosen for your outdoor wall light, the light emitted and energy consumption can vary greatly. Different options are available to you:
Choosing an
LED bulb
for your outdoor wall light is an inexpensive and durable option since this type of bulb has a long lifespan and consumes very little electricity;
Opting for a
halogen bulb
is ideal when you want to illuminate your exterior with a beautiful, warm light. In addition, halogen bulbs are compatible with light dimmers so that you can modulate the lighting as desired. On the other hand, this type of bulb consumes energy and has a relatively short lifespan;
Turning to a
solar lamp
for your outdoor wall light is the most environmentally friendly and economical option since the electricity used to produce light comes from the sun's rays. This is also a preferred option if you cannot easily connect your outdoor wall light to electricity;
Less energy-consuming than traditional incandescent bulbs,
compact fluorescent lamps
are useful for lighting your garden while limiting your environmental impact. On the downside, they are more expensive, produce white light that can appear a little dull, and often require a delay to reach their maximum lighting output.
What intensity should you choose for your outdoor wall light?
In order for the exterior wall light you choose to meet your needs, it is imperative to choose a suitable light intensity. Indeed, it is more pleasant to illuminate a terrace with soft light for a subdued atmosphere and a front door with more intensity to be able to open your front door without fumbling, for example.
As a guide, it is recommended to allow around
150 lumens per m²
to adequately illuminate an outdoor space. Also, do not hesitate to have several wall lights rather than just one in order to better distribute the light sources.