The Beauty and Function of Masonry Lights for Your Home

The Appeal of Masonry Lights for Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor lighting can make or break the aesthetic of your home's exterior. The right lighting choices not only provide safety and visibility at night, but can beautifully accentuate the natural materials and textures used on the outside of your house. One highly appealing lighting option for exteriors involves mounting fixtures directly onto masonry surfaces such as brick, stone, or concrete.

What Defines Masonry Lights?

Masonry lights describe lighting fixtures that attach directly onto masonry walls or other solid, flat surfaces using mounting brackets, without the need for wiring. Common examples include:

• Wall sconces
• Step lights
• Path lights

These lights typically have an arm, horizontal bar, or stake design with the lighting element at one end and the masonry mount at the other. This allows them to sit flush on exterior surfaces.

Benefits of Masonry Lighting

Installing masonry lighting provides many advantages over other exterior lighting options:

• Highlight Architecture - Positioned properly, masonry wall lights beautifully highlight the texture of brick, stone, concrete, stucco, and other façade materials.
• Security - Path lights and step lights improve visibility and safety around entries and walkways at night.
• Ambience - Decorative wall sconces set a warm, inviting mood on patios, porches, and sitting areas.

Moreover, because they don't require wiring beyond the initial installation, masonry fixtures tend to provide an accessible and affordable solution for most homeowners looking to enhance their exterior lighting.

Choosing Masonry Lights for Your Home

When selecting masonry lights, consider factors like the design, finish, lighting technology, and energy efficiency of the fixtures to find options well-suited for your home.

Popular Styles

Masonry lights are available in many decorative styles that pair beautifully with homes of different architectural designs. Here are some of the most popular light styles for enhance exteriors:

• Arched Sconces - Feature sweeping curves that complement Spanish, Mediterranean, and Mission style homes.
• Carriage Lights - Boast elegant scrollwork that enhances the curb appeal of Colonial and ranch houses.
• Rustic Wall Lanterns - Rugged details like crosshatch glass panels or oil rubbed bronze metalwork fits perfectly on Craftsman bungalows.

Finish Options

The most common finish choices for metal masonry lighting include:

• Oil Rubbed Bronze
• Rustic Iron
• Flat Black
• Polished Chrome
• Brushed Nickel

Select an option that coordinates well with your home’s color scheme and other exterior metals like door hardware, mailboxes, and architectural accents.

Lighting Technology

Look for energy efficient LED or solar-powered lights to save on your electricity bill and avoid complicated wiring. Also make sure the light output (measured in lumens) suits the intended purpose. For example:

• Accent Lighting - 500-1000 lumens
• Pathway Lighting - 1,000-2,000 lumens
• Security Spotlights - 2,000+ lumens

Placement Guidelines

Proper placement goes hand-in-hand with selecting the right type of masonry light. Use these tips when deciding where to position fixtures:

• Install path lights or step lights to illuminate key walking routes at least hip height for optimal visibility.
• Space wall sconces evenly apart every 6-12 feet around seating areas.
• Shine security spotlighting on vulnerable spots like doorways, driveways, or shadowy garden corners.

Installing Masonry Lights

Installing masonry lighting takes some handy skills like drilling holes in masonry and running low-voltage electrical wiring if necessary. Follow these basic steps:

1. Map out exact light locations based on purpose and local building codes for lighting.
2. Drill pilot holes for mounting hardware if attaching to masonry or purchase special adhesive fixtures.
3. Connect wires securely on LED or solar fixtures if needed to power source.
4. Affix lights with mounting screws or adhesive and test illumination at night.
5. Seal any gaps between fixtures and mounting surface.

While masonry lights don’t require as much wiring expertise as other outdoor lighting, you may still want to hire a professional for a more complex installation. Improper electrical connections pose serious fire risks.

Ongoing Maintenance

Expect to replace the light bulbs or batteries in your masonry fixtures every few years. Fixture arms or mounting plates may also come loose over time, requiring minor repairs. Caulking around lights should be inspected annually and redone every few years to prevent moisture damage or pest infestation.

With their versatile design and durable construction, masonry lights make an excellent addition to nearly any home exterior that incorporates natural building materials. Just take care in selecting fixtures tailored to your specific lighting needs and home style.

FAQs

What are some popular masonry lighting options?

Common masonry light fixtures include wall sconces, pathway lights, step lights, and spotlights. These anchor directly onto exterior surfaces like brick, stone, concrete, or stucco using mounting brackets or adhesive.

What finish options work well for masonry lights?

Finishes like oil rubbed bronze, black, brass, nickel, and rustic iron pair beautifully with masonry. Choose an option that matches your home's color scheme and architectural style.

Where should I position masonry lighting fixtures?

Place path lights to illuminate walking areas. Space wall sconces evenly every 6-12 feet to spotlight seating spaces. Position security spotlights to eliminate dark corners around entries, driveways, or gardens.

How difficult is it to install masonry lighting?

With basic DIY skills, you can handle mounting simple LED or solar-powered masonry lights. However, if your project requires complicated wiring, you may want to hire an electrician or lighting professional for proper installation.