Why Do Landscape Lighting Fixtures Vary in Cost?

A path light outdoors in a garden

When it comes to landscape lighting, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the right fixtures. Not all fixtures are created equal, and the quality and performance of your landscape lighting can vary greatly depending on the fixtures you choose. In this post, we'll take a closer look at the different grades of landscape lighting fixtures and what factors drive the cost of these products.

The Spectrum of Cost

First, let's talk about the lower end of the spectrum. You can purchase a low-quality, lightweight, plastic, or aluminum fixture from a box store for as little as $10. These fixtures may be cheap, but they often come with many problems. They may be poorly constructed, have a short lifespan, and will not provide the level of performance you're looking for. Many people begin their landscape lighting projects with these products. Usually, they pick up a kit from Costco on a whim or get a fully wired kit from Lowe’s or Home Depot. While one can begin to see that any lighting can be helpful on dark cloudy nights, they typically get frustrated with the performance and reliability.

On the other hand, some high-performance commercial fixtures can be ordered through a showroom or lighting distributor for over $1000. These fixtures are often made with higher-quality materials and are built to last. They may also have advanced features such as adjustable optics and weather-resistant construction.

What Determines Cost?

So, what factors drive the cost of these products? Some of the key factors include the type and quality of LED, the electronics used, the quality of the optic, the type of brass or metal used, the finish on the product, the ground stake, the wire used in the fixture, the quality of the glass, and the seals to keep insects or moisture out.

When choosing a landscape lighting fixture, it's important to consider not just the initial cost but also the long-term performance and durability of the product. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, in the long run, it may cost you more in repairs and replacements.

Experts Advice from Enlightened Lighting

We are often asked by our potential customers what is a brand that we believe offers a good balance of quality and performance. If someone is not going with our company or they want a comparison, WAC or Aurora are good products to look at. WAC’s top-of-the-line brass fixture is competitive with ours, and if one were comparing the standard SL01 uplight, we would recommend asking for a price on the WAC 2000 lumen light.

Aurora Landscape lighting integrated fixtures would also be a solid alternative to our product line. While their performance might be a little lower than both WAC and our line, they might be the prettiest fixtures in our industry.

In conclusion, choosing the right landscape lighting fixtures is a crucial decision that will impact your landscape lighting system's overall performance and longevity. While there are many options available, it's important to consider the factors that drive the cost of these products and choose a fixture that offers the best balance of quality, performance, and overall value.

For all of your outdoor lighting needs and questions, contact Enlightened Lighting at (703) 215-9089!

 

Simple Design Philosophy. Stunning Results.

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