Outdoor lamps
The professional advice from Isa Project to guide you in making the best choice
Utility, security and design
Outdoor lighting is one of the most important aspects to fully enjoy outdoor living.
The right outdoor lamps create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, enhancing balconies and gardens. At the same time, they ensure safety in dark areas, allowing you to spot any obstacles such as steps, barriers, or level changes in advance. Isa Project professionals provide a useful guide to help you choose the best option according to your needs.
How to choose the right outdoor lighting?
"The choice of lighting fixtures must take into account some important aspects. One of them is the size of the outdoor space: a garden will certainly have more dark areas to illuminate compared to a balcony or a terrace - explains the staff at Isa Project. The design should include positioning in the most useful areas, ensuring that no areas are left uncovered that could create a sense of fear or danger. When choosing outdoor lighting, it is always advisable to avoid glare, which often occurs if the light fixtures are positioned at human eye level. A relevant factor in choosing outdoor lighting is the IP rating, which classifies the level of protection of products against the ingress of solid and liquid bodies. The IP rating consists of two digits: the first corresponds to protection against solid bodies while the second indicates protection against liquid bodies, hence waterproofing.
The first scale ranges from zero, indicating the total absence of protection, to 6, which is the maximum possible protection. Water protection ranges from zero, indicating no waterproofing, to 8, a digit indicating the possibility of prolonged immersion of the fixture - it continues. If a criterion has not been tested, the digit is replaced by the letter X (for example: IPX4 means that the material has not been tested against solid bodies). Another aspect to consider is undoubtedly energy consumption. Lighting fixtures that allow greater savings, such as LED, are certainly preferable. Also to be avoided is the insertion of fixtures that point upwards, which, when used outdoors, are considered non-compliant because they inefficiently spread light, causing 'light pollution.' The economic advantage is not to be underestimated, as well as environmental conservation."
Types of outdoor lamps
There are different types of lamps commonly used outdoors. Among these are grazing light lamps, typically used to mark pathways and highlight safety boundaries, often in a scenic manner. They are usually recessed into the ground or mounted on walls to highlight steps, low walls, and other obstacles, or to mark the edges of pools or ponds.
Bollard lamps are the classic fixed columns used in gardens and public parks. They come in various types, from traditional wrought iron to more modern and linear designs. Design decorative lamps are essential for terraces, balconies, or gardens. Floor lamps, hanging lamps, table lamps, and wall lamps complete outdoor spaces and complement the chosen style of decoration. Versatile and portable, they are perfect for creating a warm and suggestive atmosphere during outdoor dinners with friends, BBQs, and moments of relaxation.
Advantages of LED lamps
Firstly, energy savings: LED lighting allows for a reduction in power consumption by 50% to 80%, nearly eliminating maintenance costs altogether. LED lighting, while providing the same luminous output, consumes less electricity compared to traditional lamps, thus helping to decrease CO2 emissions in the environment.
Another factor to consider is longevity: their guaranteed minimum lifespan can exceed 50,000 hours. Common light bulbs, on the other hand, have an average lifespan ranging from 3,000 hours for halogens to 12,000-15,000 hours for fluorescent ones. Additionally, these lamps do not contain hazardous substances and do not emit heat. In fact, the emitted light does not produce infrared radiation, which warms the environment, or ultraviolet radiation, which can harm human health. This advantage allows the light source to be placed in contact with materials such as wood and plastic without damaging the illuminated surfaces. Furthermore, they provide greater safety in case of direct contact with the source.
Disadvantages of LED lamps
As a disadvantage, the price should be considered: the cost of LEDs is certainly higher compared to other types of lighting fixtures, but considering the long-term benefits, it can be seen as an investment for the future in terms of well-being and economic savings.
Warm or cool light? That is the question
"Depending on your preferences, you can choose the temperature that best suits your spaces," Isa Project professionals continue. "We recommend choosing warm light for outdoor areas, to help create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. The unit of measurement to consider is Kelvin (K): for warm white light, the value will be less than 3300 K, neutral white light ranges from 3300 K to 5300 K, while cool white light will be greater than 5300 K. When choosing the lighting system, it's important to involve a qualified designer who can tailor a lighting system to ensure appropriate consumption and correct outdoor illumination. We," concludes the Isa Project staff, "are ready to offer our consultation and expertise in the field, to find the most suitable solution for the client's needs." For further information and personalized service, you can contact Isa Project at 055.4252054 or via email by clicking here.
