How to find Quality Fixtures for Outdoor Lighting
Not all outdoor rated landscape lighting fixtures are created equal. Why? Not all outdoor rated fixtures are built to withstand the outdoor environment. We will give you the tips you need to make sure you get quality fixtures.
We’ve learned that just because something says outdoor-rated doesn’t mean it’s suited to last for the long term. There are far more products available that quickly fail than those that are built to last a lifetime. So how will you know? You should look for fixtures that are made from quality materials and superior design.
Material
Choosing the material of fixtures isn’t just about how they look. For customers who want their landscape lights to last, make sure that you’re choosing a quality material. Materials like plastic or recycled aluminum will hold up for an event or short-term use. However, these low-grade materials will start to decay and crack. It won’t be long before they allow moisture to leak into the electrical system.
Look for solid brass, stainless aluminum, or stainless steel for long-lasting quality. A good way to really test for the quality of the material is to consider its weight. A high quality light fixture will weigh more because it is constructed for durability. Just because it says it is a brass fixture, if the material is thin and flimsy it won’t last.
Superior Design
The way an outdoor fixture is engineered will tell you a lot about how it will perform once it’s placed in a real-world situation.
All outdoor fixtures will come into contact with moisture. If it isn’t from the weather, your irrigation system will bring your fixtures into contact with water too. The electrical components in a low voltage lighting system need to be kept dry. If they come in contact with water, they can be damaged. So it is very important that fixtures are designed to be water-tight. If there is an opening where a fixture isn’t protected, water will find its way in.
Quality outdoor rated low voltage landscape lighting fixtures come at a higher price point. Don’t trust that it is quality just because the website says high-quality outdoor lighting at low prices. After all, since when has anything considered high quality come at a low price? Just like most anything else in life, the simple truth is that you can’t have high quality at a low price point.
If a lighting system is constructed with fixtures that aren’t built to last, they won’t. This is why it’s so important that if you are getting ready to begin an outdoor landscape lighting project, you look for high-quality light fixtures. A professional landscape lighting installer can help you find the right product for your home. If you need help finding the right outdoor lighting fixture for your home, give us a call today at 210-710-7737 for a free consultation.
