How to Choose the Right Style of Exterior Garage Lights for Your Home

Exterior garage lights light up your driveway and illuminate areas that would otherwise be left in the dark, making parking harder. Also, you’re missing out on a nifty aesthetic effect without one. But exterior garage lights are a significant investment. In this guide, SimpleShowing informs you about different styles, sizes, and features to consider and gives you expert tips on installation and maintenance. Let’s light up that driveway!

Types of Exterior Garage Lights

●   Wall-mounted lights: Sconces or wall-mounted lights are excellent because they provide many different types of lighting, including ambient, task-lighting, or accent. Plus, you can place your wall sconce in many places, as long as it can be termed as a wall.

●   Ceiling-mounted lights: These lights are non-obstructive and ideal for placing on the top of the garage door frame. Plus, they light up the immediate entry to your garage door. Neat, right?

●   Post-mounted lights: If you need to light up the driveway as early as its entrance, post-mounted lights are your best bet. They are diverse, and in many brands, they can be placed in your garden or driveway or act as path lights.

●   Solar lights: If you need to light up a sidewalk alongside the garage, solar lights are a great option.

●   Motion-sensor lights: These light up when you approach your home and are suitable for energy efficiency. Also, you can purchase motion-sensor lights of any of the above lights, from exterior wall lights to barn lights, to other broad forms of exterior lights.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Exterior Garage Lights

●   Style and Design: This is important as it adds to the look of your property and lighting. Pick a light that complements your own, and make the light blend in wonderfully.

●   Size and Placement: Consider the size of your outdoor wall light and where it will be placed. Certain aesthetics will blend, and others won’t. Also, you don’t want to put a light in an obstructive position.

●   Light color and intensity: If your intention for the added lighting is to brighten up your driveway for parking purposes, you’ll want lighting more suited to this purpose. It shouldn’t be so bright that it scorches your eyeballs as you approach your garage. Also, bright lighting is good as a burglar deterrent.

●   Energy Efficiency & Cost: If you’re environmentally attuned or just want to save some money, you can find lights that use less energy than others. Also, your budget and how much you are willing to spend on exterior garage lighting are other factors, as lighting comes at various prices.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Hire a Professional or DIY?

Landscape lighting can be simple or tricky depending on your skill set and various other factors, including the number of lights, the type of lights, etc. A professional costs money but will be able to enhance your property’s aesthetic value, do the same for safety, and allow you to explore many opportunities for your lighting landscape plan. While you can save money by doing it yourself, it might not have the professional touch, and maintenance could cost more.

Wiring and Electrical Safety

Outdoor light fixtures require wiring and electrical work regardless of whether they are gooseneck, post, porch, or wall lights. You must stay safe. If you are uncertain, contact a professional in your area to consult or hire.

Cleaning & Maintenance

To stay on top of cleaning and maintenance, it’s essential to regularly clean the internal reflectors and lenses. This is part of the lamp that surrounds the bulb, which steers the light in the right direction. You can also clean around the light fixture to prevent corrosion, breakage, or dents. It’s also essential to check whether the wires are still connected (pretty important, right?).

Of course, replace bulbs that aren’t illuminating everyone and ensure the fixtures are correctly positioned. A driveway or exterior garage light is no good if it isn’t pointing in the right direction. Any exposed wires will have to be dealt with.

Much of this maintenance doesn’t require expert knowledge, but sometimes you will need a professional hand. This is especially the case if you don’t have electrical experience. For instance, if the wiring casing is damaged or live wires are exposed, call the pros and stand back.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect style of exterior garage light will beautifully illuminate your home, act as a burglar deterrent, and fulfill the function of lighting your driveway up when you return from a day’s work.

Frequently Asked Questions

●   How many exterior garage lights do I need for my home?

This depends on the size of your home, where the dark areas are that you wish to improve, and personal preference and budget. Generally, prioritize the driveway if parking is an issue. Everything else is a bonus.

●   What is the best color temperature for garage lights?

2700k - Warm White. This is a warm and soothing welcome light compared with higher color temperatures.

●   How do I replace a burnt-out light bulb in my exterior garage light?

Make sure the main power is switched off - shut off the breaker if necessary, and then go ahead. If you are uncertain or inexperienced, hire a professional to do it for you.

●   Can I install motion-sensor lights myself?

This depends on the job's complexity, plus electrical and wiring issues. If it is a simple ‘plugin and go’ situation, then yes. Otherwise, it’s always worth consulting a professional.

●   Are LED lights more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs?

Yes, LEDs are designed with energy-saving technology in contrast with incandescent bulbs that focus less on these aspects.