LED wall washer quickly becomes the ideal solution for exterior lighting options today.
There are several reasons for this surge in popularity. Still, chief among them are the many benefits these fixtures offer compared to other types of exterior lighting, such as flood lights or spotlights.
In this article, we will explore the LED wall washer and discuss how to choose the suitable one for your lighting project.
LED Wall Washer: What Type Of Lighting Is It?
LED wall washers are a type of lighting fixture specifically designed to light up walls, ceilings, and other large surfaces.
They are typically installed on the top or bottom edge of buildings, where they can shine light across a large surface to highlight its shape and lighting design.
We use outdoor lights to brighten residential buildings, patios, restaurants, and malls.
Wall illuminated by the ceiling lamp
How Can You Illuminate a Stone Wall?
Wash Lighting
Wash lighting refers to shining light onto the wall’s surface to emphasize its texture and shape.
In order to do that, you need to throw the light from above, creating soft, even illumination.
This illumination helps to bring out the natural beauty of the stone without creating harsh shadows or casting unwanted glare.
Wall Grazing
Wall grazing uses unique light fixtures to “graze” or skim across the wall’s surface, creating a broad wash of light that highlights the surface’s shape and texture.
A stone wall has many distinctive textures and contours, so wall grazing can be a great way to showcase those unique characteristics.
Uplighting
When you direct a wall washing light upwards onto a wall, it’s called uplighting. The effect is interesting because the light bounces off the surface and dramatically casts shadows.
This technique is a great way to highlight large architectural features on the wall or to make an ethereal effect.
Uplighting in an office building
Display Effect
The display effect is a beautiful way to show off your stone walls since they have the advantage of hiding lights inside folds. This way, they don’t distract from their beauty and make it more interesting than just adding traditional molding.
Sconces
Sconces have a cylindrical casing that helps direct light from top to bottom, creating an even effect across all areas of your home or business.
A decorative sconce on the stone wall
Application Scenarios and Effects of LED Wall Washer
Wall washing can illuminate your space with preset colors and effects, making it perfect for illuminating anything from an outdoor walkway to the inside walls at night.
The illumination distance is up to 10 meters with this type! This wide range of hues means it’s perfect for building external lighting and landscape lighting that need an extra boost to show off their beauty at night.
Generally, these lights work well for heavy-duty lighting projects, commercial complexes, subways, bridges, building exteriors, landmarks & more.
You can also use them to paint landscapes and objects in color and light up outdoor plazas and displays.
Pool lighting in a backyard
Comparing LED Wall Washers and LED Strip Lights
The critical difference between an LED wall washer and a strip light is the power output that they can provide.
RC lighting LED wall washer typically has a higher power output, which means they will be able to illuminate a much larger area.
That’s why LED wall washers are suitable for exterior lighting, whereas LED strip lights are usually used to highlight objects and details within a small space.
LED strip lights are hidden away under a wooden counter
Should Wall Washers Be Placed Close to the Wall?
Wall Washing
When it comes to wall washing, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
- You must install them at the top of the ceiling, ensuring that the light is evenly distributed across the wall.
- You must ensure sufficient distance between the wall and the light. The goal is to throw the light on the wall at a wider angle, so a distance of 2.5 to 3 feet is usually ideal.
- Brightening the walls and highlighting the architecture can make any space feel larger and more inviting.
Wall Grazing
You can place the lights directly above the wall if you have textured walls, like stone or brick. This nice lighting technique will create a contrast that makes your wall stand out.
However, if you have plain walls, you should place the wall washers further away from the wall, creating a softer effect and showcasing the elegance of your plain walls.
How Should You Select an LED Wall Washer?
Verify the Drive Power
When choosing LED wall washers for your project, it’s essential to consider the drive power.
If you don’t know the minimum and maximum power needed, you might choose a light that isn’t powerful enough to meet your project’s needs. We recommend lighting that can provide stable power.
Do You Need Your Lights to Be Very Bright?
For outdoor uses, it’s best to use higher lumens, as this will provide the most visibility.
However, for indoor lighting, you will want to choose a lower lumens rating to have a more pleasing ambient feature lighting.
Radiator Material
The radiator is what attaches to the wall and dissipates heat from the LED. Choosing a radiator material that is durable and effective in terms of heat management is essential, as it increases the quality of lighting.
The LEDs might overheat and burn out if you don’t choose the proper radiator material. Options include aluminum, copper, and steel.
What IP Rating Do You Require?
IP rating indicates how much LEDs withstand dust, moisture, and physical damage.
If you are going for an exterior LED wall washer, you should choose an LED with a high IP rating.
However, if you are installing the light indoors or in a spot where moisture is not a concern, you can use an LED with a lower IP rating.
IP code symbol
Is There a Way to Customize an LED Wall Washer?
Beam Angle
The beam angle or beam angle is where wall washers send the light. Wider beam angles will be suitable for larger areas, and narrower beam angles are better suited to small spaces.
The LED wall washer has customizable beam angles making this job very easy.
Beam Angle icon for LED light
Color Temperature
When choosing the right LED color temperature, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Each setting will depend on your personal space and the overall effect you are trying to achieve.
Generally, warmer temperatures (between 2700K and 5000K) work well for more intimate spaces or use at night.
Cool color temperatures (between 5000K and 6500K) provide a bright light effect, making them a good choice for outdoor use.
Diagram of the light temperature in Kelvins
Voltage
For outdoor lights, low and high voltages are the two options. Low voltages offer a higher safety level during the installation time, and you do not require a specialist to mount them.
They are also safe in wet conditions and are not hazardous in any way.
For these reasons, low-voltage lighting is recommended in residential areas. Moreover, low-voltage lights tend to cost less than high-voltage lights.
High-voltage lights decorate larger buildings and facades, such as big plazas and other commercial areas.
They cost more and need a professional to install them, but they offer better illumination and dependability.
Appearance and size
When choosing an LED wall washer, it’s also essential to consider the appearance and size of the light.
For example, if you have a small building, you will only need a small light. Similarly, if you have a large building, you may want to choose a more significant light to provide maximum coverage.
Conclusion
Choosing LED wall washers for your project requires research and skill.
You must consider the size, appearance, and type of light you need, along with the relevant voltage and IP rating.
By evaluating all these factors, you can choose an LED wall washer that meets your needs and provides a pleasing lighting effect in any space.
