All About Outdoor Festoon Lights
Festoon lights are a popular choice for outdoor lighting especially for the festive season. These lights are incredibly versatile and can be used for a number of events, occasions or just to revamp a plain outdoor area. When choosing the best festoon lights for your area there are a few deciding factors you should be aware of.
Style
Our festoon lights come in two different cord styles; flush and hanging. Our flush festoon lights have the lampholder sitting directly on the string. This makes them suitable for wrapping around trees, hanging against fences and indoors. Indoor uses include hanging over bedheads, around mirrors or shelves and in children's bedrooms or playrooms. The hanging festoon lights have an extra length of cord which hangs from the main string. These lights are perfect for hanging between posts or under a roof, creating a festoon light "ceiling".
Light Bulb
Now that you've chosen your style of festoon string, the fun part of choosing the light bulbs begin. There are two types of light bulbs to choose from; incandescent and LED. Incandescent bulbs are the old style light bulbs with delicate wire filaments. LED light bulbs are a newer technology which use a semiconductor device to convert electricity into light. LED light bulbs tend to have a longer life span that incandescent bulbs meaning you won't have to change them as often. They also use less power for the same brightness so you can save money on your electricity bills. If you like the old filament styles then our Edison light bulbs are for you however if you want a hardy light bulb then try LEDs.
When choosing a bulb you should consider what type of atmosphere you want to create. If you want a bright and vibrant light, you should choose a light bulb that suits this. Remember that LED light bulbs will always have a lower wattage than an incandescent bulb so wattages should be compared within the type of bulbs. If you just want a subtle light or your festoons won't be the main light source, the LED Starry Light Bulb is a good alternative as it gives a soft light which will blend into the background nicely.
Just remember that whatever light bulb you choose, there will be 10 or 20 of them in one area so choose your brightness wisely.
Positioning
Festoon lights are easy to use due to their continuous string line and wall plug. If you want to create a long lasting display there are several accessories you can use to create an exciting layout. Cable ties are your best friend when hanging festoon lights. These can be attached to fence posts, ceilings or trees and are hardly noticeable. They help keep the string in place and wont allow movement.
If you are purchasing a 20m festoon light set and are planning to string it from one point to another, a guide wire should be used to prevent sagging. It also minimises damage from wind or birds.
Weathering
All of our festoon lights can be used both indoors and outdoors. An IP rating measures the resistance to dust and water and is used to classify outdoor lights. The Outdoor String Lights have an IP rating of 23 whilst the Outdoor String Lights with Hanging Lamp Holders have a higher IP 44 rating. Consider where your lights will be placed when choosing a festoon light set. If your festoons will be under cover (porch, verandah, deck) or used for indoor decorations, a lower IP rating can be used. If your lights will be exposed or you live in an area with harsh weather conditions, an IP44 rating will be better suited for outdoor use.
To explore more ideas and inspiration, check out our full range of Festoon Lighting.
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