If you’re thinking about adding security lighting to your home, we’d always recommend getting a qualified electrician to install it.
At Fairway Electrical, a straightforward security light installation will usually cost around £200–£400, depending on the light, wiring and access. We recently installed one at an end-of-terrace home on Allison Road, Brislington where getting the position right was just as important as getting the electrical side of the job right.
Why install security lighting?
A security light can be a simple but useful addition to your home. It can light up a dark side entrance, driveway, garden or path when you need it, making it easier to see where you’re going when you get home after dark. A PIR light can also come on when it detects movement, which can be useful from a security point of view too. But there’s a bit more to it than choosing a light and putting it on the wall.
You need to think about where the light will shine, how bright it needs to be and whether it could cause a problem for anyone living nearby.
Getting the position right.
This was particularly important at the Allison Road property. The homeowners wanted to protect and illuminate the side entrance, but because it was an end-of-terrace house, we also had to consider the neighbouring properties. Nobody wants a security light shining straight through their bedroom window at midnight!
We spent some time looking at the best position before installing the fitting. The aim was to give the homeowners the light they wanted without unnecessarily lighting up the neighbours’ homes.
This is where getting advice from a security lighting electrician in Brislington can be really useful. We can look at the property, where you need the light and how the surrounding homes are positioned before deciding where it should go.
What does installing an outdoor light involve?
It can be a fairly straightforward job, but every property is different. At Allison Road, the light needed to be installed up high, so we had to work safely from a ladder. The property also had a pebble dash exterior, which meant carefully drilling into the wall to secure the fitting.
It’s not necessarily difficult work for an experienced electrician, but it does need to be done properly. The light needs to be securely fixed, the cabling needs to be suitable for an outdoor installation and everything needs to be left neat and safe when we’re finished.
What type of security light should you choose?
A PIR security light is a popular option because it switches on when movement is detected, so you don’t have to remember to turn it on yourself. You might want something bright for a driveway or side entrance, while a smaller, softer light could be more suitable for a path.
It’s also worth thinking about how often you actually want the light coming on. If it’s too sensitive or aimed at the wrong area, you could find yourself watching it switch on every time a cat walks past!
A security lighting electrician in Brislington can help you work out what type of fitting and position will suit your property.
If you’re considering security lighting for your home, Fairway Electrical is happy to have a chat about what you’d like to achieve and what would work best.
For friendly advice from a security lighting electrician in Brislington, contact Fairway Electrical today by phone on 0117 239 4701 or via our contact form.
