SPECIAL FEATURE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHTING UP TIME With summer round the corner, demand for exterior lighting is going to hot up. Scott Brewer, Head of Technical at Knightsbridge, offers a few pointers to get the best results for your customers.
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BL5 brick light with louvre
here’s probably never been a summer more eagerly anticipated than this year’s. With lockdown easing and the public looking forward to greater freedoms, there’s no doubt that gardens, patios, terraces and back yards will see lots more socialising, family get-togethers and homeowners generally enjoying that outside space. The promise of warmer evenings and the chance to enjoy being outside is likely to prompt householders to reach for lighting catalogues or search the web for lighting solutions in a bid to upgrade or improve their existing installations. And the onus of providing new or upgraded lighting is likely to fall on the installer. So, what makes for a good outdoor lighting installation? Any installation should try to address one or more of the following – is the main function of the illumination to provide access, security, usability or aesthetics? Identifying the purpose helps pinpoint which product groups to go for. For example, access could be defined as helping direct people safely around a property, for example, paths or driveways. In this instance, spike lights, ground lights, even brick lights are good choices. Knightsbridge’s extensive range of this type of lighting now includes the new surface mount BL5 brick light, which is available in black or grey, and offers a choice of
warm white or cool white via its energy efficient LED light source. It also features an optional kit to convert the unit to recess mounting, making it the perfect addition to dwarf walls or low brickwork. Different lighting effects can be achieved, depending on which style of grille or louvre is chosen. Where the customer is looking for security, floodlights are the obvious port of call. Floodlights come in a huge variety of permutations – styles, materials, IP ratings, lamp type and outputs – and Knightsbridge tries to provide for every requirement, environment, budget and taste. LED floodlight casings come in aluminium or polycarbonate, in black and white, depending on model. All floodlights are IP rated to IP65, except for the FL8 LED PIR security spotlights in polycarbonate which are IP44. LED outputs range from 610lm to 17150lm, with colour options being RGB, 3500K standard or warm white, 4000K cool white, and 6000K daylight. The most recent introduction is the FLN range of floodlights, in black die-cast aluminium, which combines slim looks with operational versatility when partnered with either the microwave or PIR sensor accessories. As with all Knightsbridge products, the floodlights have been designed with installers in mind, featuring easy-fix brackets for wall mounting and internal terminal blocks to allow quick and easy direct wiring. With up to 5430 lumens on offer (with the FLN50 model), the range delivers effective security lighting from a discrete package. Creating the right ambience or lighting effect is probably uppermost in most consumers’ minds, whether it’s bathing areas in light or producing subtle wall wash effects or highlighting a building’s features. There’s certainly no lack of choice in the Knightsbridge range – both contemporary and traditional designs – from square, rectangular, round or cylindrical wall washers in black, white or steel finishes, through to bollards and aluminium carriage lanterns. Lamp choices are LED, GU10 or E27 depending on the fitting, covering a vast array of light outputs.
FLN floodlight
Knightsbridge’s latest wall light, the OWALL, provides options for both down- and up-lighting from a stylish and sleek cylindrical body that looks as good during the day as it does at night. Available in black, anthracite, brushed chrome or white, the OWALL can take any GU10 lamp and is dimmable dependent on lamp type, further increasing the range of lighting effects. And for those customers who are looking for something a bit different, there is always LED strip lighting. It is an area that is gaining popularity and comprises LEDs surface-mounted in PVC tape to provide a flexible lighting solution. A comprehensive choice of LED strips is available, offering single colour, CCT, RGB and RGBW options. There is no doubt that LED flex installations can achieve quite stunning lighting schemes, given the sheer range of colours, effects and possible designs. So, whatever summer brings there’s always plenty of lighting options from Knightsbridge to ensure your customers get the best outdoor lighting experience possible. Knightsbridge, mlaccessories.co.uk
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www.mlaccessories.co.uk Page footers 224 x 40mm.indd 32 ECN | April 2021
Exterior Lighting – ML Accessories.indd 32
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