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Exterior Lights. Barnstyle or LED wall paks?

last month
last modified: last month


The littlest decisions are the hardest!

For our industrial influenced build, the designer favours barnstyle lights. I favour simple sealed LED sconces.

We need 13 pronto to get an occupancy permit. Budget rules out Barnlight Electric's high quality handmade spun aluminum. Let alone the designer's preferred suggestion:


I'm sceptical of budget friendly Amazon and HD models surviving even one winter in our climate.


Simple sconces on industrial styled nearby build. (I only wish I had thought of the roll-up steel garage doors!)


How about these no-nonsense enclosures with LED bulbs?

Comments (28)

  • last month

    You need that many exterior lights to get a COO? Can't you just put a few cheap temporary lights at the main doors and cap the rest of the electrical boxes for now?

    worthy thanked chispa
  • last month
    last modified: last month

    We need lights over all entrances. Those at the front don't count. (There are pots under the porch roof.) But might as well get them all done at once. Plus the electrician doesn't appreciate less than a day of work for his guys.

  • PRO
    last month

    I like the explosion proof fixtures; it makes it look like you live dangerously.



    (not professional advice)

    worthy thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Living dangerously. That's me!

    Decrepit tugboat racing to Suez. (1923)

    So traditional industrial flushmount is too much?

  • PRO
    last month

    Not too much, "Appropriate". But that is for you to determine.

    worthy thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
  • last month
    worthy thanked just_janni
  • PRO
    last month

    Sorry I don't like the fussy details on the barnlight proposed. I'd opt for a more simple design. All of these lights are 1/3 the cost of the fixture proposed.





    worthy thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • last month

    All exterior lighting should follow dark sky principles:

    Neither the industrial-building sconce nor the exposed-bulb light would not be appropriate as they either illuminate the wall or shine out into the yard. No light should shine upwards.

    I like this Generation Lighting Matt Black Barn Light available in several sizes (though it may not be sufficiently modern). I'd equip it with this EcoSmart Universal Select 50/75-Watt Equivalent PAR20 Dimmable Adjustable Beam Angle LED Light Bulb with 6 CCT, set the color temperature to 2700K (preferred) or 3000K (max) and adjust the beam angle to minimize illumination of the wall.

    worthy thanked wdccruise
  • last month
    last modified: last month

    We could only decide on the lights needed for the Occupancy Permit: two for each set of the rear sliding doors and one over the basement walkout.

    I will post pics when they arrive.

    Basically, black rectangles 11" high with 10 watt LED. I believe they also shine upwards on the house wall. My designer is not likely conversant with Dark Sky Principles.

    Since we are in a high break-in, home invasion area, night lighting is essential.


    In the past, lighting certainly hasn't impacted the beloved coyote community: In daylight, they casually snoozed under the Bobcats we had parked during construction. Confronted, they just back off, coolly judging how far I can throw a steel bar. Foxes, owls and red hawks do their welcome best to cull the rat population.

  • PRO
    last month


    ?Bobcat or Bobcat?


    worthy thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
  • last month
    last modified: last month

    I believe they also shine upwards on the house wall. My designer is not likely conversant with Dark Sky Principles.

    Clearly not. Exterior lights should never shine upwards or needlessly illuminate walls.

    "Since we are in a high break-in, home invasion area, night lighting is essential."

    The solution is for lights that are triggered by motion sensors which can scare off intruders. Lighting up the neighborhood isn't the solution and can actually aid criminals by helping them navigate the property.

    "In the past, lighting certainly hasn't impacted the beloved coyote community"

    "Does artificial light affect coyote behavior?

    "Excessive artificial light can disrupt coyote behavior, including their hunting patterns and sleep cycles. It can also make them less wary of humans, increasing the risk of conflicts." -- Can coyotes see you in the dark?

    Solution: Follow Dark Sky Principles: see the stars, avoid annoying your neighbors, and help the coyotes.

    worthy thanked wdccruise
  • last month

    I like the motion sensor idea. At least, for the rest of the lights. A watt saved is a watt earned.

  • last month

    ?Bobcat or Bobcat?



    Coyote amongst the Bobcats

  • PRO
    last month

    It is hard to tell by the picture but that may be a red fox.


  • PRO
    last month

    Very interesting, wdcruise. I wish more homeowners would follow the dark sky principles. Especially during this holiday season, the lighting has gotten out of control.

    I was particularly intrigued by the suggestion to use motion sensors to scare intruders--that makes so much sense.

    worthy thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
  • last month

    Sensors to activate lights can also turn on the cameras.

    worthy thanked dan1888
  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Coyote indeed. I vas dere Charlie.

    Our cameras run continuously. Though if there's a break-in all you'll ever get are pics of hunched over figures in black from hoodies to runners.

  • PRO
    last month

    If you have coyotes, is it too late to change the fixture order?


    worthy thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
  • last month


    Back-door lights in place. (Switched LEDs)


    For the front, walkup and garage side, we'll look for enclosed LEDs only shining down.


    Motion activation is intriguing. But I recall m. a. lights we installed on another house that never worked as expected. (The designer, who wanted us to wash the front walls with uplighting, will not be happy.)

  • last month

    just_janni: "While washing...is really bad for light pollution.

    "...SEEING all the stars - it's a whole different world out there at night"

    My city has replaced its streetlights with LED ones that are more dark-sky friendly. The sky is noticeably darker but few stars are visible and only as small dots.

  • PRO
    last month

    "The sky is noticeably darker but few stars are visible and only as small dots."

    Wait a minute, all (but one) stars are small dots.

  • last month

    Mark Bischak, Architect: "Wait a minute, all (but one) stars are small dots."

    Time to visit a Dark Sky Place.

    Bryce Canyon National Park

  • PRO
    last month

    Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed a very nice lodge there.



  • last month

    Mark Bischak, Architect: "Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed a very nice lodge there."

    Mr. Underwood, who died in 1961, probably knew little about light pollution or he wouldn't have used those lights which needlessly illuminate the stone walls and surrounding areas. But at least they don't shine upwards and somebody put yellow bulbs in them which reduces blue light.

  • PRO
    last month

    The light fixture is needed so those navigating the walkway in the evening or night do not trip and hurt themselves. It is there for safety purposes. It is attached to the wall not to purposely illuminating the wall but to purposely illuminate the walkway. Nobody in 1925 gave a rat's ass about light pollution; it is a contemporary term created to give something for people to worry about that have nothing better to do.

  • last month

    Mark Bischak, Architect: "Nobody in 1925 gave a rat's ass about light pollution; it is a contemporary term created to give something for people to worry about that have nothing better to do."

    I sense anger!

  • last month

    "when you know better, you do better" - Maya Angelou


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