Post Light Style
Regardless how post lights have been used in decorating the outdoors, that does not mean that every style will sit well on every home theme or design. You still have to be mindful of what to choose to make sure that it will go well with your place’s architecture to set the ambiance you are going for. While you can sum up the styles for post lights as long-legged stationary lamps, there are still various iterations that you can choose from that would fit your home’s design and location:
Full Post Light
Full post lights are a great way to add ambient lighting to your yard. These post lights come with everything you need to install: a head, a base, and a post. It normally has the traditional cage head and does not require any extra accessories for installation. This style is highly suggested for those who want to have a straightforward lighting post as this does not need too much accessories, making it the most common style used in open spaces.
Pier Mount Light
It is a shorter variant that only comes with the very top part of the light post, the lantern head, which is mounted to a short post. This is also meant to be affixed to a wood, stone, or brick pillar when installing. It is commonly used on gate posts and vintage-themed fences, making it a great option for lighting dark spaces but you do not have a clear ground to put it.
Lantern Head
If you're going for an eclectic look and get rid of the post, a lantern head might be the best option for you. From the term itself, you will only be attaching the lantern or the head part of the post light. However, you will be needing some accessories to install it. If you want to directly install the lantern head to a base, you will be needing a pier mount base. In case in the future you wanted to elevate the lantern head, you might also need to secure a post that you can purchase separately.
Post Light Types
There are three common types of post lights and each emits a different intensity of light fit for various outdoor spaces.
Electric Post Lights
These electric post lights are the widely used type by professional landscapers. Not just because the installation is simple, these are also long-lasting and present various ways to save electricity, depending on the type of light used.
These are also very versatile in terms of lighting. You can use LED, incandescent, and fluorescent bulbs to get the lighting that you desire. You may also install a few accessories such as a timer or photo sensor that allows it to switch on the lights when it is about to get dark. The only downside for these post lights is that once there is a power interruption, these lights will also not work. Hooking these up to a backup power source in case of power outages is also recommended.
If you're looking for a lighting fixture that provides security lighting and cost-efficiency, go for electric post lights. These also come into various designs that would definitely match the home theme you are going for.
Gas Post Lights
Gas lights are the best option as decorative pieces in the backyard or patio. Match the gas post lights to outdoor wall sconces in your entertainment area to create an inviting outdoor space that has a seamless flowing style.
Gas post lights are a classic choice for home lighting, especially during the holiday season. They offer a mesmerizing flickering light that creates a warm and inviting ambiance in your yard. Although gas lights do emit intense light, the flickering makes them unsuitable as safety and security lights. These need to be installed by a professional and have it routed to a secure gas line.
Also, you have to ensure that each gas post light head has a wing guard installed to protect the flame against strong winds. This makes these gas post lights more expensive to operate when compared to an electric post light. But if you're going for that vintage aesthetic for your backyard and patio, this one's for you. You may also mix and match these with your outdoor sconces to maximize its lighting and for additional ambiance.
Solar Post Lights
Solar post lights are a simple and cost-effective way to illuminate the front door of your house. They have a zero-carbon footprint and require no complex wiring for installation. They also can be used in areas with no direct sunlight, so they’re an ideal choice for locations where light is needed at all times.
However, they don't provide the same brightness as traditional lanterns. Solar post lights also require regular maintenance to keep a clean solar panel and are best positioned in areas with direct sunlight.
Solar post lights are an affordable and environmentally-friendly way to light up your garden and more. These are available in a variety of sizes, so they're great for areas that have lots of open space, like gardens or pool patios, as well as indoor spaces like walkways and paths, staircases, and empty walls.
Choosing the Right Post Lights
First, see to it that your post lights are weather-proof and hard-wearing. You should also look at how the post lights will be installed or mounted; those should not give you a hard time in setting them up. Keep in mind to never DIY any of those post lights variants as slight errors in their circuitry or engineering might promote hazards, so let a professional do the technical aspects instead.
In terms of the look, the finish, details, and the type of light should match the aesthetics of your existing outdoor lighting. Get electric post lights for security and long-lasting usage, gas post lights for ambiance, and solar post lights for wet spaces and gardens. It would be awesome as well to add some accessories such as timers and motion sensors to automate when the lights will be turned on or off.
Enjoy free shipping on all qualifying orders, hassle-free returns and help from a Lighting Expert at USA Lighting Shop. No matter what style, design, or type of post lights your home or office requires, you’ll always find the top brands at the lowest prices here at your Top Post Lights Retailer.
