Monthly Archives: October 2013

What to Consider When Selecting Exterior Light Fixtures

When we purchased our new spec home over 8 years ago, it came with mostly builder-grade features that we’ve worked diligently over the years to replace/upgrade. This fall, the exterior light fixtures finally made it to the top of our “Replace/Upgrade list”.

exterior lights before

One of the easiest ways to freshen up a home’s exterior is to replace dated, tired light fixtures. This is true whether you are staging your home to sell, or you simply can’t stand looking at the hideous builder-grade fixtures that came with your home one minute longer!  When this task finally made it to the front burner of our Home Improvement List, I set out on my quest to find the perfect replacement fixtures. I’m really happy with the choice we made!  Here’s a close up photo of the old and new fixtures:

Exterior Lights Before After

Quite an improvement, don’t you think? So what considerations should you keep in mind when shopping for wall-mounted exterior lights? I’m so glad you asked…

Mounting Height

As you begin your search, keep in mind that the ideal vertical placement of exterior fixtures should be slightly above eye level and below the top of your front door. If your junction box (i.e., the location where the light is installed to the wall) is located high on the wall, then you will want to select a fixture in which the fixture body falls below the junction box (like the “After” photo above).

Color/Style

When it comes to selecting a color/style of fixture, take cues from your home’s architectural features and color palette. No matter how much you are personally drawn to a particular style of light, it must be consistent with the style of your home (e.g., coastally inspired fixtures belong on a coastal home).  For example, I selected oil-rubbed bronze fixtures since they relate to the finish of our door hardware, as well as the copper roof that is adjacent to the front door. The simple, classic lines of the new fixture are also consistent with our home’s transitional style.

Size

The most common mistake people make is to select lights that are undersized. Don’t assume that the builder-installed fixture is the correct size for you home, since they often install smaller fixtures in order to cut costs. A good rule of thumb for the front door area is to select a fixture that is 1/3 the height of the door if there is only one light, and 1/4 the height of the door if there is a set of lights flanking the door.

Illumination

Finally, you need to consider the degree of illumination produced by the fixture(s). When making your selection, pay attention to the number and wattage of light bulbs that the fixture requires, as well as the type of glass (clear vs. opaque vs. seeded) it features.  All of these features will determine how much light is produced by the fixture.

exterior lights after

Some of my favorite sources for exterior lighting include: Shades of Light, Wayfair, Bellacor, Lighting Universe, and Lamps Plus.  These online stores have a vast selection of on trend lighting (relative to what you will find in your local Big Box home improvement stores), and they typically offer free shipping.
One final tip to keep in mind after you install your fixtures…be sure to use a clear silicone caulk to seal the perimeter of the fixture, in order to prevent moisture, insects, etc. from entering the junction box.  It appears that our builder skipped this step.  As a consequence, we had to contend with rusted out hardware and a beehive during the installation process.
exterior lights 3