How Many Lumens Do We Need in the Yard?

When it comes to lighting the exterior of your home there are 3 main benefits you will want from it. General illuminance, allowing you to see clearly reducing the risk for accidents, security lighting; for protecting the home and landscape lighting; making the outside of your home more aesthetic and attractive. Each area of the yard and outside of your home has different brightness requirements. The most well-lit homes are going to need a mix of brightness and lighting styles in order to be lit most optimally.

Combining general, secure, and aesthetic lighting will contain a mix of brightness’s from different lights than produce their own number of lumens. The best way to determine LED light’s brightness is through their lumens. So let’s first identify what lumens are.

What are Lumens?

Lumens are the true measurement of brightness. In the past, the Wattage of light has essentially determined the brightness of the light. Although in some way this is still true, Watts is not actually a measurement of brightness. With the introduction to more energy-efficient types of lighting, lumens need to be understood now more than Watts.

It can be conceded that the higher the Watts of light the more lumens and brighter the light will be. However, the Watts of an LED light in comparison to an incandescent light will be totally different for the same amount of lumens. So lumens do need to be understood. As a 30W LED light can replace a 250W incandescent light, the same high brightness using far fewer Watts of energy. So with the growth in energy-efficient options, lumens are now an important measurement.

The recommended number of Lumens For Exterior Lighting

Exterior lighting the home has a multitude of places and lighting requirements so each area will have its specific lighting ranges. It is important to remember that this is a guide and can is subject to change depending on the size of your yard, patio, pool, or landscape area.

Step lights: 15-150 lumens

Hardscape lights: 60-200 lumens

Lamp posts: Small: 200-1000 lumens, Large: 1000-4000 lumens

Floodlights: 2000-6000 lumens

Motion Sensory security Lights: 2000-6000 lumens

Obviously, this is a rough guide and may be subject to change. However, these kinds of lumens seem to be slightly higher than the average recommended standard.

How Much Light in Each Area?

Patio lighting: 200-250 lumens per light

Patio’s need to be well lit but still with some warm light that isn’t too intense on your eyes or guests that may be sitting out there. For patio lighting, they’re usually a mix of string lights and low-level floodlights in order to provide broad comfortable beams. The floodlight suitable for this kind of area would be around 10-30Watts with a dimmable and color-changing function. Overall, the area depending on the size can have about 250-2000 lumens of light. If the light has a high number of lumens look for a lower wattage light with a dimmer control.

Pool Area

The pool area is quite subjective according to people’s wants and needs. If you’re using an RGB Floodlight with deeper colors with blue, red, or violet light to give some ambiance, you can up the lumens quite a lot in comparison to a daylight beam floodlight. For pool lighting, especially large pools for colored lighting it can range from 2000-5000 lumens. If you’re worried about the neighbors have the light installed on the ground and have slight upplight or horizontal lighting to prevent any light pollution to next door.

Porch With Security Lighting

For the exterior of your home, effective security lighting depends on the size of the area you’re trying to illuminate. If the security light has LED Floodlights connected you will be able to cover a wide beam able of around 120 degrees. For security lighting depending on the positioning of the light and where it is in relation to your neighbors' windows. Anywhere between 2000-5000lumens will provide enough security white light to protect your home. Especially combined with a motion sensor the stark contrast between 5000K light and the darkness outdoors will deter trespassers and draw attention to your home.

How Many Lumens For Your Home?

When it comes to the number of lumens your home needs it is subjective. Although there is a guide provided within this blog do not feel obliged to stick directly to the ranges. It will depend on where you live, how much space you have, and how much light you actually want. The best way to reduce the possibility of having the wrong lights is to purchase a bright LED Floodlight with color and dimming options. This enables you to be able to have wide beam coverage, various colors, and adjustable brightness. Meaning the light can adapt more to what you need.

What is The Best Daylight LED Floodlight?

SANSI’s 70W RGB LED Floodlight is one of the most cost-effective exterior home lights currently on Amazon or in Home Depot stores. These outdoor floodlights have 16 various colors with 8 variable modes as well as a 5000K daylight option. Meaning it can be dimmed aesthetic lighting or a secure bright sunlight beam when needed. This light was engineered to be energy-efficient and cost-effective. By providing you a lot of options for minimal cost.

If you would like to fill your yard with bright effective light then follow the link here to SANSI’s 70W outdoor floodlights.