Outdoor lights on the West Coast face months of rain, salty air near the water and the occasional cold snap. A fixture that looks great in a catalogue can fade, rust or fill with water in a couple of seasons if it is not built for those conditions. Here is what our lighting consultants look for when choosing outdoor lighting for homes in Vancouver, Richmond and the Lower Mainland.
Wet-rated vs damp-rated
Every outdoor fixture carries a location rating, and it is the first thing to check.
- Wet-rated (wet location): designed for direct exposure to rain and water. Use these on exposed walls, posts, pillars, fences and anywhere rain can hit the fixture.
- Damp-rated (damp location): designed for covered outdoor areas that see moisture but no direct rain, such as a deep porch ceiling or a covered patio.
If you are unsure whether a spot is truly covered, choose wet-rated. Wind-driven rain reaches further under overhangs than most people expect.
Finishes and materials that last
Powder-coated aluminum is the most common outdoor material and performs well in rain. For homes close to the ocean, look for fixtures described as coastal or marine grade, which use finishes and hardware designed to resist salt air. Stainless and brass hardware resists corrosion better than plain steel. Darker finishes like black and bronze also hide water spots between cleanings.
Rinse outdoor fixtures with fresh water a few times a year if you live near the water. It removes salt and extends the life of the finish.
Sizing outdoor wall lights
Outdoor fixtures are seen from the street, so they usually need to be larger than you think.
- One fixture beside the door: about one third the height of the door.
- A pair flanking the door: about one quarter the height of the door each.
- Garage doors: one fixture on each side, or one centred above, sized to about one quarter to one third of the door height.
Mount wall lights slightly above eye level, roughly 66 to 72 inches from the threshold to the centre of the fixture. Browse our outdoor wall lights to compare sizes.
Post, pier and path lighting
Post lights about 6 to 7 ft tall guide guests from the street to the door. Pier mount lights sit on pillars and gate posts and should be about one third the width of the pillar top. Along walkways, low-voltage landscape path lights spaced every 6 to 8 ft give safe footing without glare, and LED step lights make outdoor stairs much safer on dark, wet evenings.
Porch ceilings and covered patios
Under a covered porch, use outdoor flush mounts for low ceilings and hanging lanterns or outdoor pendants where there is at least 7 ft of clearance below the fixture.
Dark-sky friendly and energy efficient
Downward-facing, full-cutoff fixtures put light where you need it and reduce glare for neighbours. LED fixtures use a fraction of the energy of old incandescent lanterns, and models with photocells or motion sensors switch on only when needed. LEDs also start instantly and perform well in cold weather.
Quick checklist
- Choose wet-rated for anything exposed to rain.
- Pick powder-coated or coastal-grade finishes near the water.
- Size door lights at one quarter to one third of the door height.
- Use photocells or motion sensors to save energy.
- Plan path and step lighting for safety on wet nights.
See every option in our outdoor lighting collection.
Get free help from a lighting consultant
Every space is different. LV Lighting is a team of lighting consultants based in Richmond, BC, and our online store carries thousands of fixtures from brands like Hinkley, WAC Lighting, Dainolite, Matteo and Artcraft. Send us your room dimensions, ceiling height and a photo or plan, and we will suggest fixtures, sizes and mounting heights at no cost. Call 604-233-1998 or email sales@lvlighting.ca. Orders over $199 ship free, and all prices are in Canadian dollars.