Traditional External Lighting

A modern wall sconce with a traditional iron finish.

Lighting on the external portion of your home or business is generally designed to illuminate pathways and entrances. While newer exterior lighting types may also enhance architecture or conserve energy, traditional lighting focuses on safety.

Types

The most common types of traditional external lighting fixtures are wall sconces, such as a traditional porch light, and lamp posts.

Placement

Wall sconces are attached to the wall of a building, usually right next to the front door. Lamp posts are placed farther away from the home and offer general illumination for the area.

Safety

In addition to the general lighting both fixture types offer to increase visibility for safe movement, wall sconces on a porch illuminate the main access point to a home, discouraging burglars from gaining entry because they can be easily seen.

Finishes

Modern light fixtures styled to look like more traditional light sconces and posts will have iron, aged bronze or aged brass finishes. Clear, smoked or crackled glass shielding may be used around the bulb.

Drawbacks

Traditional exterior lighting uses incandescent bulbs, which use more energy and burn out faster than newer fixtures that use LED technology. They may also emit light that isn't diffused, which can disturb neighbors or cause distracting glare.

References

• A Guide to Fairfax County's Outdoor Lighting Standards
• General Development Standards: Exterior Lighting