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Post lights are a perfect companion to your driveways and paths, standing tall over the ground and casting light around them. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our guide to this unique style of outdoor light.

There are several things you should consider before selecting a new post light. We’re here to talk you through them!

What Is Outdoor Lighting For?

There are two primary reasons people use outdoor lights: illumination and highlighting.

If you need your lights for illumination, odds are you’re looking to improve safety in your home. Well-lit properties are less tempting targets for burglars, but it also helps people find their way around in the dark more safely!

For example, if you have a long, winding driveway, post lights are a great way to safely mark the edges so that you don’t drive off in the dark and hit something important.

Highlighting tends to be more a matter of pure aesthetics. Post lights are fantastic at drawing attention to key landscaping features on your property, and can create a range of atmospheres depending on the style and colour temperature of lighting you choose. A simple path can become inviting and romantic with smart use of post lights.

Before you select your new light, it’s worth considering what you’re going to use it for and to plan accordingly.

Is It Durable Enough?

Firstly, when buying any outdoor light, you’ll need to make sure it’s IP rated for outdoor use. IP44 is a good number to aim for, as this means your light is protected from splashes of water in any direction- IE, rainfall! If your light is in a sheltered area, you could get away with a lower IP rating, but IP44 is the standard.

For certain environments, you may also want to consider the IK rating, which rates how resistant your light is to impacts. However, for most domestic gardens this won’t be much of a factor.

Some materials are more suited to outdoor use than others. Aluminium, stainless steel, polycarbonate and glass are all popular options, with the choice you go with depending on what style you’re looking for.

How Tall Should it Be?

One unique consideration for post lights compared to other kinds of outdoor light is how tall they are. There’s a huge amount of flexibility within the range, so consider what purpose your light will serve and where you want to install it before settling on a height.

Smaller post lights of around 45cm tend to be best used on top of fences and brick walls that give them additional reach. They’re also a great option for discretely tucking into bushes and other foliage to create a hidden source of light, while still looking more stylish in their own right than ground lights. The Mirrorstone Diecast Aluminium IP44 45cm Black Bollard Light With White Polycarbonate Diffuser is a great option.

There are also a few exceptionally tall post lamps, such as the Lutec Kelsey Matt Black Outdoor LED Bollard Light. at 1.95m these tend to more closely resemble street lamps, and are best used in the largest gardens.

For a compromise between two extremes, look for post lights that are around 80cm tall- this is the classic post light size. The Integral LED Outdoor Bollard 800mm 9w 3000K 420lm IP65 is a great example of this.

Going Solar?

Wiring a post light tends to be a little more involved than wiring something like a wall light, as post lights tend to be a little further away from the main building on your property. If you’d like to do away with this entirely, consider a solar powered post light such as the Lutec Diso Solar LED Bollard Light.

These lights can be entirely self-sufficient, with no wiring required, as long as you position them in a location that lets them get plenty of sunlight during the day.

Want even more tips for making the most out of your outdoor lights? Feel free to give us a call on 0116 321 4120 or send us an email to cs@wled.co.uk, and our team will be more than happy help you out.

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