Outdoor flood lights are a great way to illuminate your yard, driveway, or other outdoor areas. Installing flood lights yourself can save you money compared to hiring an electrician. With proper planning and safety precautions, installing flood lights is a DIY project many homeowners can tackle. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of selecting, planning, preparing for, and installing outdoor flood lights.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Flood Lights
When selecting outdoor flood lights, consider the size of the area you want to illuminate along with the brightness and lighting style you need. Key factors to evaluate include:
Light Output
Flood light brightness is measured in lumens. A higher lumen rating indicates brighter light. Most standard flood lights range from 1,000 to over 5,000 lumens. Match the lumen output to the size of your space. For a small to medium yard, 1,000 to 3,000 lumens should suffice. For a large yard or to illuminate a 2-car garage or driveway, look for 3,000 to 5,000 lumens.
Light Color
Outdoor flood lights come in different light color temperatures. Soft white (2700K to 3000K) gives off a warm, yellowish glow great for accent lighting. Bright white (3500K to 4100K) emits a crisp, bright light good for visibility and security. Daylight (5000K to 6500K) has a cool blue tone mimicking natural daylight.
Lighting Styles
Directional flood lights concentrate the beam in a fixed direction. These work well to illuminate focused areas like entries or pathways.
Adjustable floods allow directing the beam manually. Go with adjustable lights if you need to rotate or angle the light over a diverse area.
Motion-sensing floods turn on automatically when motion is detected. They provide both security and convenience without having to manually turn lights on each night.
Housing Material
Outdoor flood light housings are usually plastic or metal. Plastic is cheaper but less durable. Die-cast aluminum housings withstand the elements better for longer-lasting performance.
Lens Type
The lens in front of the light source focuses and shapes the beam. Clear lenses provide the widest, most dispersed light coverage. Frosted lenses soften and diffuse the light to reduce glare.
Ingress Protection (IP) Rating
The IP rating indicates the fixture’s water and dust resistance. Choose an IP65 rated flood light or higher for optimal weather resistance and durability outside.
Energy Efficiency
For lower energy bills, look for ENERGY STAR® certified LED flood lights. Quality LED floods use 50% to 80% less energy than halogen or incandescent. They also last longer – up to 25,000 hours compared to just 2,000 hours for incandescent bulbs.
Size
Standard flood light sizes range from 6 to 12 inches in diameter. Match a proportionally sized light to the area you want to cover. For lighting larger areas like a 2-car garage, look for 10″ to 12″ floods. Smaller 6″ to 9″ floods work well to illuminate entries, patios, or landscaping.
Special Features
Added features to look for include:
- DualBrite – automatically dims to half brightness after set time
- Timer – turns light on/off automatically per programmed schedule
- Photocell – turns light on at dusk, off at dawn
- Motion detector – rotates and re-aims beam when triggered
By choosing flood lights with the ideal features and specifications for your needs, you can ensure optimal lighting performance.
Planning Your Outdoor Flood Lighting
Proper planning is key to a successful outdoor flood light installation. Follow these steps to design an effective lighting plan:
Decide Where to Install the Lights
Determine what areas you want to illuminate – for example, over a patio, at home entries, or along a driveway. Position flood lights to achieve optimal coverage of these areas.
Determine Height and Position
Mount flood light fixtures 8 to 14 feet high for best coverage. Angle the lights downward at 45 degrees. Position the lights so the beam reaches out to fully cover the intended area without glaring into windows.
Choose Number of Lights
Calculate how many flood lights you need based on the beam width and the area to be lit. Flood lights typically have a 90 to 120 degree beam angle. Divide the space into sections appropriately sized for a single flood light beam to cover.
Develop Wiring Plan
Decide where to pull power from and map out wiring routes from the power source to each flood light location. Avoid excessively long wire runs that can dim light output.
Follow Local Codes
Outdoor lighting is subject to local zoning and code regulations, especially for large-scale installations. Make sure to follow any requirements like shielding or light direction to avoid infringing on neighbors. Contact your city planning department for any necessary permits.
With proper planning, you can create an effective outdoor flood lighting design tailored to your unique space and needs.
Preparing for Installation
Complete these preparatory steps before installing your new outdoor flood lights.
Turn Off Power
Turn off power to the circuit for the flood light installation at the main breaker panel. Use a contact voltage tester to double check wires are de-energized.
Gather Supplies
For installing flood lights, you’ll need:
- Flood light fixtures
- Electrical box extensions (if needed)
- Wire connectors
- Mounting hardware
- Masonry drill bits and anchors (for brick/stone walls)
- Wood drill bits (for siding, eaves, trim)
- Screwdrivers including flat, Phillips, and torque
- Wire strippers
- Electrical tape
- Digital multimeter
- Electrical testers – solenoid type and non-contact voltage tester
- Ladder
Inspect Site
Examine installation areas to plan wiring routes and identify any potential issues. Look for existing junction boxes that wiring can tie into. Confirm mounting surfaces are solid and adequate for flood light weight.
Install Electrical Boxes
If existing boxes are not positioned properly for your lights, install new electrical boxes. New construction boxes for lights are best. Use extensions to recess boxes flush with siding. Seal boxes to prevent water entry.
By completing preparatory tasks first, your flood light installation will go faster and smoother.
How to Install Outdoor Flood Lights
Follow these steps to properly install outdoor flood lights:
Step 1: Turn Off Power
Double check the circuit power is OFF at the main breaker panel before starting installation. Test wires with a contact voltage tester to confirm.
Step 2: Remove Existing Fixture
If replacing old lights, take down the existing fixture. Remove wiring from the terminals and disconnect from the supply wires. Take off any mounting brackets.
Step 3: Mount New Fixture Base
Position the new flood light base centered over the electrical box. Mark anchor points and drill pilot holes if needed. Use exterior-grade mounting screws to secure the base.
Step 4: Connect Wires
Match up hot, neutral, and ground wires of the light to corresponding wires in the electrical box. Twist copper ends together tightly using wire connectors.
Step 5: Weatherproof Connections
Seal wire connections by covering with weatherproof tape. Wrap connections individually then bundle all wires together for more protection.
Step 6: Position Flood Light
Place flood light onto the mounted base and rotate to the desired angle. Tighten any adjustment screws or bolts to secure the light’s direction.
Step 7: Caulk Light Base
Caulk completely around the fixture mounting plate with exterior silicone caulk. Check for any gaps where water could enter and caulk those areas thoroughly.
Step 8: Turn Power Back On
With light installation complete, turn the circuit breaker back on to restore power. Flip the light switch to test the lights and make sure bulbs illuminate.
And those are the steps for safely installing outdoor flood lights! Now you can enjoy bright, functional lighting that adds both beauty and security to your outdoor space.
Outdoor Flood Lighting Safety Tips
Follow these important safety precautions when installing and using outdoor flood lights:
- Turn off power at the breaker before starting work
- Double check wires are de-energized before touching
- Use insulated tools and gloves when working with wires
- Keep outdoor receptacles and fixtures watertight
- Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet protection
- Check fixtures regularly for signs of wear or water leaks
- Use plastic covers to protect flood light bulbs
- Avoid positioning lights where the glare will be problematic
- Only use lights rated for outdoor/wet locations
- Have a licensed electrician handle any complex or high voltage lighting jobs
By exercising proper caution and care, your outdoor flood light installation can provide years of trouble-free performance.
Troubleshooting Outdoor Flood Lights
If your outdoor flood lights malfunction or stop working, try these troubleshooting tips:
Light Won’t Turn On
- Check for tripped breakers or blown fuses and reset or replace as needed.
- Verify the light switch is working properly.
- Test that power is reaching the light fixture.
- Inspect all wire connections for loose or broken wires and re-connect.
- Make sure the light bulb is in good working order and hasn’t burned out.
Light Turns On But Is Dim
- Clean dirt, debris, or insect nests off of the light fixture which can block light output.
- Replace old bulbs that may have diminished brightness. LED bulbs degrade over decades of use.
- Ensure wiring is heavy gauge enough to deliver full power.
Lights Flicker On and Off
- Check for loose wiring connections to fix intermittent contacts.
- Look for signs of water damage or corrosion on wires and terminals.
- Verify the voltage is in the correct range and not dropping excessively at times.
Motion Sensor Lights Won’t Activate
- Check light and motion sensor positioning and adjust areas covered.
- Clean sensor surface of dirt, dust or spider webs blocking detection.
- Ensure sensor sensitivity is adjusted properly to detect motion.
- Replace defective motion sensor module if needed.
By methodically checking different components, you can troubleshoot and fix any issues that may arise with outdoor flood lights.
FAQs about Installing Outdoor Flood Lights
How far apart should flood lights be spaced?
Space flood lights 15 to 30 feet apart for optimal coverage. Position them so beam patterns overlap slightly at the edges to maintain consistent illumination.
Where should flood lights be positioned on a house?
Typical placements are by home entries to light paths and doors, under eaves to light the yard, and on exterior garage walls to illuminate driveways.
What size flood light do I need?
Choose flood light diameter proportionate to the area size, such as 10″ to 12″ lights for a 2-car garage or driveway, and 6″ to 9″ for single doors or shed illumination.
How many lumens are needed to light up a yard?
For a small to medium yard, 3,000 to 4,000 lumens of flood lights should provide sufficient illumination. For larger yards, use 5,000+ lumen flood lights or add more fixtures for full coverage.
What type of flood light bulb should I use?
LED bulbs are you best choice for energy efficiency and longevity. Select a reputable brand like Cree, Philips, or GE for reliable performance. Avoid cheap no-name LED bulbs.
How do I choose a flood light color?
Soft white (2700K-3000K) is good for accent lighting while bright white (3500K-4100K) provides the crispest visibility. Daylight (5000K-6500K) mimics natural daylight.
Should flood lights be installed high or low?
Install flood lights 8 to 14 feet above the ground, angled down at 45 degrees for optimal light distribution. This avoids shadows and dark spots.
How do I wire outdoor flood lights?
Use outdoor-rated wiring at least 14 gauge. Connect hot wires to black, neutral to white, ground to green/bare wire. Make waterproof connections using twist-on wire connectors and weatherproof tape.
What size breaker is needed for flood lights?
Check the wattage of your flood lights and add up the total wattage. Use a 15 amp breaker for a circuit with 1,200 watts max total draw. For higher wattage, install a 20 amp breaker.
Conclusion
Installing outdoor flood lights is an achievable DIY project with proper planning and preparation. Selecting the optimal flood light design for your needs provides the desired amount of illumination. Follow the electrical code to run new wiring if required. Mount the fixtures securely and make watertight connections. Aim flood lights to deliver maximum coverage across the intended yard, driveway, or other areas. Add motion sensors for convenience and security. Practicing electrical safety is also paramount when working with outdoor lights. With some handy work, you can now enjoy stylish, functional flood lights that create the perfect ambiance and visibility for your exterior living areas and property.