If you are looking for the best pool lights for your above-ground or in-ground pool, we are here to help you! Here is a pool lighting guide that focuses on the best lighting ideas for your pool, their pros and cons, installation tips, and more.
Pool Lighting Types Explained: Choose the Right One for Your Pool
There are a few options for outdoor pool illumination, but LED lights stand as the most favorite option for homeowners. Pool lights can be of three types, incandescent, halogen, and LED.
Incandescent Pool Lights: Classic Warmth
Incandescent lights are the oldest and most widely used lights for outdoor pool illumination. However, these lights are called the outdated lighting option available for pools. The filament used in the incandescent lights creates heat and makes the bulb glow.
Incandescent lights are less popular now because they need to be replaced frequently; almost 3 times a year. This process is more time-consuming and not convenient also. They also do not give a romantic feel to your space.
Halogen Pool Lights: Affordable Brightness
Halogen lights do not use much energy. So, they are cheaper than incandescent lights, in terms of energy usage. They use 20% less energy than the incandescent lights and last up to more than 2500 hours. So, you do not need to change them very frequently. However, the cost of halogen light is really costly.
LED Pool Lights: Efficient, Colorful, and Long-Lasting
LED pool lights are more energy-efficient than halogen. A 6-watt LED gives the similar effects as a 100-watt halogen. Also, LED lights come in various color options, which makes them a perfect lighting option for pool parties and get-togethers.
LED lights last longer than the other discussed lighting options because they do not have a filament.
Pool Lighting Placement Tips for Maximum Impact
- Place your pool lights keeping a distance of 2-3 meters between the lights. For underwater lighting, the lights should be placed 25-40 centimeters beneath the water’s surface.
- Keep a regular space between the lights.
- If your pool is near your home, you should place the light on the pool wall to avoid direct reflection of lights on your eyes.
Pool Lighting Options by Installation Type
There are two main types of lights if you take the installation process into consideration; niche lights and surface-mounted lights.
Niche Pool Lights: Sleek and Recessed
Niche pool lights are installed on the inside walls of the pools. You can dig holes or niches on the inside wall of your pool and place the lights inside these holes. Niche lights can be of two types: Dry niche and wet niche.
Dry niches are placed slightly above the water level. But wet niches are the underwater lighting options for your pool.
Surface-Mounted Lights: Easy and Effective
Surface-mounted lights are installed on the surface of your pool walls. These lights can be installed after the pool is installed. Surface-mounted lights can be a perfect option for fiberglass pools.
These are mounted on the surface of your pool walls, which is most common for pool owners who only think about lighting their pool later, or sometimes on fiberglass pools.
Installing Lights in a New Pool: What to Know
If you want to experience a hassle-free pool light installation, you should install the lights at the time of pool construction. First, decide on the type of lights you want to use for your pools. We suggest you use niche lights at the beginning of pool construction. You can build the niches easily on the pool walls when the pool is not filled with water.
Retrofitting Pool Lights in an Existing Pool
If your pool is built in such a way that lights can be easily installed, then only you can add lights to your old, existing pool. You only have to install a cable in the pool that is connected to an electric outlet for energy supply. You do not have to empty your pool for this type of light installation.
Conclusion
In this pool lighting guide, we have discussed the types of lights for your pools, installation techniques, and light placement strategies. One of the best pool lighting ideas could be installing lights at the time of construction so that you do not have to face problems while installing lights underwater. Also, you have to connect the lights to an electrical light for a power source. However, you can use solar lights for your pools that do not require energy supply. If you want to have hassle-free custom pool solutions in your area, hire a professional contractor.
