Where to Use a Floodlight and a Spotlight
Outdoor security lighting helps protect your property and upgrade your home security. Outdoor lighting serves to deter intruders by illuminating both obvious entrances and dark places intruders may use to gain entry. There are many lighting options and the purpose of all of them is to increase visibility on your property, enhance your property and add another layers to your home security. Lighting falls into two categories: Floodlights and spotlights.
Floodlights
The beam of floodlights are broader and cover a greater area. They shine light over a wider area so the lighting is more diffused and less intense than a spotlight. Strong floodlights are preferred in outdoor commercial settings (such as parking lots, stadiums or backyards) because they illuminate a large area.
Generally, floodlights are bigger, studier fixtures because they are used outdoors. The light can be angled to accommodate the area you want lit up. Because floodlights are usually mounted high on a post or building, they may be more difficult to adjust once installed.
Being larger fixtures, floodlights tend to use more energy and generate more heat, especially when used continuously. However, LED flood lights are energy-efficient while providing the same high quality light coverage.
Spotlights
Spotlights are focused beams with a width of about 30-degrees. Spotlights can be used indoors or outdoors and have a wide variety of use, depending on what you are lighting up. With a narrower beam angle, the light is more intense, concentrated and focused than a floodlight.
Spotlights have a wide variety of designs based on their application, but they are generally more compact and their housing can be very decorative. Some spotlights are adjustable with varying focus as well. Because of their compact design, generally spotlights can use less energy; though high intensity beams may consume more energy.
Ways to Use Floodlights and Spotlights for Home Security
Floodlights can illuminate exterior spaces of your home, garage and driveway from the street. Floodlights help make your home visible from farther distances as well, which is especially helpful if you live on a lake or ocean shore, or if you live on a street that is not well lit.
Deck or Patio. Well-placed floodlights can provide a lot of light for a deck or patio. This not only provides lighting for outdoor gathering, but security if this area is in a darker spot on your property.
Entryways. A nicely-designed floodlight will provide a lot of light and security in any dark entryway. It’s also welcoming to guests and aids in walking up house stairs. Using a motion-activated floodlight or timer is a good security strategy with entryway lighting if you don’t want it on constantly.
Garages, Fences and Walls. Floodlights enhance visibility and security in areas that thieves target, whether trying to gain entry to your home or your car. Lighting these larger areas ensure safety and security from unwanted intruders.
Backyards and Gardens. Many homeowners use lighting to enhance landscaping their gardens and backyards; floodlights can accent these natural features at night. The light also serves as a deterrent to crime. If you have a large backyard, placing a floodlight at your property line keeps intruders out of the shadows.
Ways to Use Spotlights – Decks, Patios, Backyards, Gardens, Driveways, Pathways and Walkways
They are used to access specific landscaping or other features or create ambiance on a deck, garden or patio. But they also increase the security by lighting up dark or hidden areas, and safety of your home by making them easier to access in the dark.
Spotlights are designed to provide a focused, narrow beam that typically extends up to 30° wide. These lights are used to hone in and highlight specific features in your landscape like plants, shrubbery, or statues. Additionally, outdoor spot lights are commonly used to create different lighting effects like uplighting and accenting because of their versatile nature.
Decks, Fences and Steps. Deck, fence and step lighting can take planning as they are generally installed in solid structures and are recessed or designed with hoods or “eyelids,” or louvers. You can also find battery or solar lights that can be installed in already established areas.
Driveways, Pathways and Walkways. Spotlights in these areas are a good alternative to using floodlights. These lights can be placed to give focused lighting to increase home security and help navigate these areas.
Porches and Entry Areas. A critical area for home security is your porch and front door. Good entryway lighting is a signal to would-be burglars to avoid your home. Whether someone is at home or not, it’s a sign that you probably have a home security system in place, especially if the lighting is paired with a security camera.
Outdoor String Lights. Outdoor string lights add ambiance in commercial spaces like cafes and restaurnts, but are popular with homeowners to create inviting lighting around their homes. These lights not only create a nice outdoor environment, but their additional light also enhances home security.
Floodlights and Spotlights for Home Security and Ambiance
Outdoor lighting can increase your home security and deter intruders while creating a beautiful environment and landscaping. Most security lighting can be integrated into your existing home security system, but thorough research will help you find new systems that connect to existing ones. Consider installing security lights in areas where you’ve set up security cameras. Better illumination of the areas you monitor will make the surveillance footage more effective should you need it. Overall, understanding the difference in how floodlights and spotlights work will help you decide which kind of lighting to use in which spaces.
Rapid International Offers Community Solutions
Safety, Community, Together. Rapid International provides security services, including staffed areas and patrol services, prioritizing neighborhood-based security in collaboration with your community. Rapid’s management has extensive experience in the security industry and in each city, we build partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency service agencies. Together with community members, we work to make people and communities safe and secure.
Please get in touch to learn about our community-level security program – we believe the strength of collaboration and partnership make neighborhoods safer for everyone. In Georgia, call: (706) 844-2586, in California call: (213) 364-1394 or email us at info@therapidway.com.
There is nothing more important than a good, safe, secure home.
Rosalynn Carter
IG: rapidgroup.ga | Linked In: Rapid International Group, Inc.
Photo courtesy: Deck floodlight-STKR Concepts; Home porch spotlight-DEKOR Lighting.