Types of Safety and Security Lighting
Are you amongst the increasing number of people who are depending upon lighting for security purposes?
As much as we’d all like to believe that we are safe, both in and outside of our own homes, it’s a sad fact that installing outdoor lighting for security has become somewhat of necessity for many of us.
Read on to discover how to safety-proof your building, using lighting for security. From outdoor motion sensor lights to larger scale solutions, such as outdoor floodlights, we’ve got the guide to help you make the best decision.
The main players
When it comes to different types of security lighting there are two main players. Most people will choose to install either outdoor motion sensor lights or floodlights, in a bid to keep intruders away.
Let’s take a closer look at these options, and consider the pros and cons of each.
Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights
Pros
Security – outdoor motion sensor lights are a great deterrent to unwanted visitors, whenever your property is approached. The sensor detects motion and activates the light immediately.
Energy Efficiency – The light is only activated when motion is detected, so there is no wasted energy keeping the light on when it isn’t necessary.
Simple to Install and maintain – Replacement sensors and bulbs are readily available from most DIY stores, and the installation process is fairly straightforward too.
Cons
Although this type of light is relatively simple to install, they are quite complex in their makeup. If the sensor or bulb fails, the light is rendered unfit for purpose.
Due to their very sensitive nature, motion sensor lights can pick up very slight motion such as a swaying branch or birdlife. This can be frustrating if it happens regularly and you may need to reposition your sensor.
Outdoor motion sensor lights provide a great solution when you want to use lighting for security purposes. They are available in different forms which include LED lights, path lights, wall lights and pedestal lights. IOS Lighting has a great selection of security lighting both online and in their showroom.
Outdoor Floodlights
Pros
Energy Efficient – outdoor floodlights provide an incredibly bright light source. LED versions are up to 90% more energy efficient than their halogen equivalents.
Long life span – You’ll get over 50,000 hours of life from your floodlights, in some cases.
Lower maintenance and replacement costs – particularly if you choose the LED version.
Immediate, maximum brightness – no warm up time
Can be combined with CCTV to maximise security levels
Light output, and even colour, can be customised to suit the environment.
Cons
Initial installation can be fairly costly, although maintenance is not as expensive.
Due to their powerful nature there is the possibility that the light can overheat. This is more of a risk in small, confined spaces.
If you’ve established that outdoor floodlights are your best option you may need to consider a few things.
The lumens determine the brightness of the light, so be sure to consider the area you want to cover to make sure you have the correct level of brightness. When installing the lighting system be mindful of the angle of the light beam distribution. An immediate, bright light is only useful if it’s illuminating the correct area. On that note, make sure your sensor is correctly positioned too.
The most effective way to determine which type of security lighting suits your needs is to contact a specialist lighting company. Sales advisors will be able to provide you with detailed information, specific to your requirements, before you buy. Call IOS Lighting if you have any questions, and they will be happy to point you in the right direction