Lights.com—Outdoor Wall Lighting
When most people think of outdoor wall lighting, they think of a single fixture screwed into the wall about eight feet up. While this is incredibly common on businesses and suburban homes, it is much less than half of the story. Wall lighting can be for aesthetic effect as much as it can be for security. Technically, wall lighting can refer to any fixture that is attached to a wall whether for security or for decorative effect. In some instances, wall lighting refers to upward-facing fixtures at ground level that highlight the texture or stonework of a wall.
You should take the time to find a wall light that matches the style of your home and your exterior lighting design, in order to keep it from being an eyesore. There are many beautiful wall sconce fixtures, globe fixtures, lantern fixtures, and other types that are as beautiful as they are functional. Plus, just because the fixtures are decorative does not mean that they do not give off adequate light. Whether incandescent or fluorescent, if the fixture is adequately wired, a decorative wall light can act just as any other security flood light.
Since wall lights are mounted higher than most other exterior lights, they usually take on the security role in an outdoor lighting design. This means they usually shine much more brightly than other decorative lights and can overpower the rest of the design. For this reason, there are dual-purpose lights that shine at one level until a motion sensor is tripped which greatly increases the light's brightness. Such complex designs usually cost a bit more, however, but they can be well worth the extra cost.
Specific Concerns about Outdoor Wall Lights
Again due to their elevated security role, outdoor wall lights need to be reliable. This means they can handle heavy weathering, they operate for long periods before needing new bulbs, and are otherwise difficult to break. It is also usually a good idea to purchase wall lights that are motion-sensitive. This will save on energy costs, and it can extend the life of each bulb. Additionally, when motion trips the sensor and turns the light on, it will pull focus to the area where the motion occurred--further enhancing security.