Contact
Account
The carport continues to win over the French. And with good reason: this ingenious, practical carport is an excellent alternative to the garage. It's economical, requiring no foundation work or structural work. It has all the advantages of a covered parking space, since its open spaces make it easy to get out of the vehicle, unlike a garage. But to make the most of all its benefits, the carport needs to be fitted with suitable exterior lighting. So how do you light your carport? We take a look here.
Carport lighting: the importance of positioning
Even though a carport is an open space designed to protect vehicles from the elements, once night falls, it needs to be well-lit if it is to retain its practicality. Whether you're parking, unloading or taking a look at the engine, the carport needs to be well-lit in several places. For a functional, well-lit carport, you need to ensure that :
- inside the carport for ease of movement;
- Directly outside the carport;
- the access road leading to your carport.
Carport lighting: specific features
A strategic location
Carport lighting must be aesthetically pleasing, but above all it must be practical and functional. To create clever lighting, it would be a mistake to place a single ceiling light in the center of the carport. Only the roof of the car would be illuminated, and if you had to check the engine or unload your car, this light wouldn't be of much use to you. No, the best way to effectively light the inside of your carport is to place at least one lamp on the front side, and a second lamp at the rear, on the opposite side. "To light the inside of your carport, you can opt for Lumihome's Pyramide outdoor wall lamps, explains Christophe Coelho. Designed in stainless steel, they are perfectly resistant to outdoor conditions and are very easy to install. You can also add additional light sources if you wish."
Tailored solutions
Although your carport protects your car, you mustn't forget that it remains an open space, subject to wind and humidity. So you need to use lamps that are suitable for outdoor use. To do this, check the protection rating of your luminaire. This is an international standard for the waterproofness of outdoor lamps, indicated on every package. Made up of the letters IP followed by numbers, it indicates the level of protection and resistance of the lamp in question. It's important that your lighting solution is resistant to water splashes in the event of rain, and to the intrusion of solid objects. Last but not least, Lumihome outdoor solutions are tested to approve their resistance to the worst conditions of humidity and corrosion.
Exterior lighting for carport and access road
Lighting the exterior of the carport
Lighting the inside of your shed is important, but it's also vital to illuminate the outside. For example, you can place wall lights on the two front posts of the enclosure. Once again, as these lights are placed outside, you need to ensure that the protection rating is appropriate. "Discover Lumihome's range of 230V LED wall lights, advises Christophe Coelho. Designed for outdoor use, they all feature highly resistant reflectors that retain their transparency despite the repeated effects of the sun's rays. Discover our Pyramid LED wall lights for a sober, modern look. For a classic, timeless look, you can also opt for the Castle Lumihome wall light." To light the outside of your carport, you can also opt for a solar solution. The Lumihome solar range lets you enjoy intense lighting, while using the sun's inexhaustible resources. And your carport doesn't have to face due south. Lumihome solutions are equipped with new-generation solar collectors, effective even on overcast days.
Mark the access road
Finally, don't forget to light the access road leading to your carport. This is often a secondary driveway that you then walk along to reach your home. That's why it's important to mark this path. Lumihome has the right spotlights for the job. Easy to install, they can be planted in the ground to effectively illuminate paths. And to add height to your signage, you can also opt for Lumihome's Pyramid or Luxor bollards. Recessed lighting can also be a solution. Lumihome's recessed spotlights can also be driven over. They can withstand pressure of up to a ton, which is an important criterion when it comes to marking car access.
If you'd like to adopt an eco-responsible approach, or if you haven't planned your electrical connections in advance, you can use solar-powered luminaires for your signage. Discover all Lumihome's solar-powered bollards and spotlights and benefit from easy installation.
Light up your carport with additional options
For lighting outdoor areas, sensor-equipped luminaires are very interesting. Lumihome offers ultra-practical solutions equipped with motion or twilight sensors. "This is the case, for example, with our Madrid LED wall light, explains Christophe Coelho. Its integrated motion and twilight detector automatically switches on the sconce when it gets dark, and switches it on more powerfully when motion is detected." So you don't have to worry about the lighting before you leave the house. The lights come on automatically as soon as your presence is detected, or as soon as dusk falls. This saves energy and means you'll always find a well-lit area when you return.
You now have all the information you need to illuminate your custom-built carport. The most important thing to remember is that lighting for this type of carport must be well thought-out and well-positioned to be fully effective. Finally, don't forget that this is outdoor lighting. Consequently, all lighting fixtures must be sufficiently resistant to withstand external conditions and last over time.
