What Is a Floodlight?
Find the best floodlight for your dark space.
If you have a dark area by your garage, front door, patio, or near a shed that you think a little light could make more welcoming or safe, a floodlight might be exactly what you need. But if you're thinking, “What is a floodlight?", read on to learn more about how this bright light could enhance your space.
What Is a Floodlight?
A floodlight is a high-intensity outdoor light with a broad beam used in yards, fields, parking lots, patios, and more. These types of lights “flood" an area with light by shining a beam of up to 120-degrees with the same electrical power as a spotlight.
What Bulbs Do Floodlights Use?
Floodlights typically function on batteries, electricity, or solar power, and use CFL (compact fluorescent light), halogen, or LED bulbs.
LED Bulbs: For brightness, LEDs are the go-to, and they also have a longer lifespan than other types of bulbs. When searching for LEDs for your floodlight, pay attention to the lumens, which will help measure the floodlight's output – or how much light it gives.
Tip!
The wattage of a bulb indicates the amount of energy it uses, and there is a connection between lumens and watts. For instance, in general, higher wattage lights will project more lumens or brightness. The wattage of LED floodlights can range from 15 to 400. If you're using a floodlight outside for security purposes, go with a bulb rated at 120-Watt or higher.
CFL Bulbs: These bulbs take more energy than LEDs, become hotter, and can take a bit longer to illuminate to their full power, however, they are a better choice than incandescent bulbs because they use 90 percent less energy and may last up to 10 times longer, comparatively.
Halogen Bulbs: These bulbs produce white light initiated by halogen gas and tungsten in the quartz halogen bulbs. Halogens can cost as much as 50% percent less than LEDs.
Motion-Sensing Floodlights: If you're using a floodlight for security reasons outside your home, having at least one infrared motion-sensing floodlight is a good idea. When motion is detected, the light will turn on – typically, the sensor will pick up on heat waves when something moves within 180 degrees of the floodlight. Once motion is detected, the light will usually stay on for up to ten minutes before it turns off again, depending on your floodlight. For those who have a tendency to neglect to put lights on or forget to turn lights off, this feature can bring peace of mind.
Dusk-to-Dawn Floodlights: If ensuring a dark area is lit at all times is your main reason for having floodlights, dusk-to-dawn lights might be the feature you prioritize. Once the sun starts to set, this feature automatically turns the lights on, and as soon as the sun begins to rise, the lights will shut off. Before purchasing a dusk-to-dawn floodlight, you might want to ensure that all-night lights won't disrupt your neighbors.
Video-Enabled Floodlights: For extra security, consider a floodlight with a camera attached to it. The floodlight will do all its meant to and the camera will pick up on any concerning activity outside your home.
Alarm Floodlights: If your floodlight has a camera and you are able to view suspicious activity, having an alarm option allows you to sound the security alarm when you feel it's needed.
Smart-Enabled Floodlights: “Smart" floodlights can include features ranging from dusk-to-dawn, alarm options, video surveillance, and more. Often these features can be controlled from a smartphone.
Timer:A timer allows you to choose when you want your floodlights to go on and off.
Dimmable: Being able to dim your floodlights, allows you to control the brightness.
Now that you no longer have to ask yourself “What is a floodlight?" it's time to find the perfect one with the perfect features for you.
Written by Cathy Cassata
