Flood Lights vs. Spot Lights: Understanding the Differences
You may use the terms flood light and spot light interchangeably, but these are actually two types of lights with two key differences:
- They cast different types of light beams.
- They each have specific uses.
What Are Flood Lights?
Flood lights cast a wide beam of light that can cover a comparatively large area. The beam angle of these lights is typically between 45 degrees and 120 degrees. Since flood lights cast a wider beam than spot lights, the light intensity a flood light directs on a given area will be less concentrated than that of a comparable spot light and the light beam will project a shorter distance.
Beam angle indicates the beam of illumination that’s greater than 50 percent brightness. To calculate beam angle, you’d measure from the center point of a light, where the illumination is at 100 percent, to a point where illumination drops to 50 percent and multiply that angle by two.
When to Use Flood Lights
The beam angle and coverage of the light from a flood light makes this type of bulb or fixture a good choice for lighting a patio, driveway, deck or yard. These lights can make your exterior safer for family members and guests by illuminating potential obstacles and tripping hazards, as well as by brightening walkways. Commercial businesses often use these lights to illuminate parking lots. The wide area of illumination makes flood lights good choices for outdoor security lighting. They can also serve a decorative purpose outdoors, illuminating the façade of a home or lighting a large landscape feature such as a flower bed.
Inside your home, you might use indoor versions of these lights to provide general or ambient lighting for bedrooms, foyers, kitchens, etc.
What Are Spot Lights?
Spot light beam angles usually range from 10 degrees to 40 degrees. A narrow beam means the light will focus a comparatively small pattern of illumination on a particular feature or item. The beam won’t illuminate a large area like a comparable flood light, but it will be more concentrated and will be able to maintain intensity to a greater distance.
When to Use Spot Lights
Spot lights typically serve as decorative lights outdoors, illuminating a particular element of your home or landscape. Use this focused outdoor lighting to draw attention to a tree, shrub, statue, fountain or, during the holidays, an outdoor decoration.
Indoor versions of these lights are typically decorative as well, illuminating paintings, photographs, sculptures or other décor items. They can also add accents to your ambient lighting.
Flood Light and Spot Light Capabilities
While flood lights and spot lights cast different beams of light and serve different purposes, you can find similar features when shopping for either type. Available features include:
- LED Lights: Lights that feature light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will use energy more efficiently and tend to last longer than comparable standard lights. You can find LED spot lights and flood lights.
- Solar Lights: Built-in solar cells on some light fixtures power the lights without the need for running electrical wiring.
- Motion Sensors: Motion sensors turn your lights on only when they detect movement and turn them off again several minutes later after the movement stops. Motion-sensors help improve security without the need to leave the lights on all night.
- Dusk-to-Dawn Sensors: These sensors help improve security and safety by illuminating your spaces through the night and turning off your lights in the morning. There’s no need to remember to turn them on and no concern about wasting energy if you forget to turn them off.
- Smart Compatibility: Light bulbs and fixtures that are compatible with smart home systems give you maximum control over your lighting.
- App Compatibility: App compatibility lets you control your lighting from a smartphone. Some apps even let you control the lights with your voice.
Lighting With Flood Lights and Spot Lights
Since these types of lights each create different kinds of illumination, you may want to combine them for maximum effect. Landscape lighting that combines wide-beam, general lighting and narrow-beam, focused lighting can add lots of dimensional and visual interest to your landscape after the sun goes down. For example, flood lights illuminating your landscape and the façade of your house can make your home inviting to friends and family. Spot lighting specific trees, shrubs and outdoor décor draws attention to features that make your home stand out.
At Lowe’s you’ll find the flood lights and spot lights you need to improve security and extend your home’s curb appeal throughout the night. If you have questions about which lights are best for you, a Lowe’s associate can help you find the perfect lighting solution for your home and landscape.