New or upgrading existing external lights lends a special touch to the exterior of your home. To get it right, there are a few things you should consider.

First, decide how much you are willing to spend on your project. Setting a budget will help you when choosing the type, quality and quantity of lights you’d like to install. Lighting is all about form and function, the choice you make should complement the style of your home, and their placement should serve a real purpose—whether it is style or safety.

LEDs

LED’s provide very bright light, ideal for directional lighting. The best thing about LED lighting is their longevity—they lasts upwards of 60,000 hours before needing to be replaced. However, LEDs may not be the ideal light for you if you are looking to cover a larger surface area of your property. The light focuses on where the bulb is pointed, rather than bathing the wider area in light. LED’s are also more durable than most other bulbs due to their compact size, and replacement is minimal compared to Halogens and fluorescents. 

Halogens

Halogens are the most common outdoor lights and the least expensive, costing four times less than LEDs. They are popular for the warm cozy light they emit. Additionally, halogens give off light in all directions compared to the directed beam of an LED. However, if longevity is important to you, you might want to reconsider purchasing halogens since their lifespan is much shorter than LEDs. 

Fluorescent Lighting 

Fluorescents come in two primary types—tube lighting and CFL (compact fluorescent lighting). Fluorescent lights can range in size from tubes multiple feet long to the compact bulbs that are about the size of a standard lamp light bulb. Fluorescents are good for lighting up large areas. With full-size tubes, you can shed light on a wider surface area of your property without having to buy too many fixtures, however, keep in mind you would have to replace the average fluorescent bulb six times to equal the lifespan of one LED light bulb.

Always remember, Mister Sparky® of San Antonio electricians are here to help you when planning your home renovation or upgrade job to include the electrical work that you may need or want. Call Mister Sparky® of San Antonio at (210) 899-2430 today!