How to Use Flood Light as Area Light: A Guide for Smart Lighting

Lighting is an essential aspect of any space, whether it is indoor or outdoor. It can create different moods, enhance the aesthetics, and improve the functionality of the space. However, choosing the right type of lighting can be challenging, especially when you have to consider factors such as the size, shape, and purpose of the space.

In this article, we will introduce two common types of lighting: Flood Light and area light. We will explain the difference between them, and how you can use flood light as area light to achieve optimal lighting results. We will also provide some examples, tips, and product recommendations to help you make the best decision for your lighting needs.

What are Flood Light and Area Light?

Flood light and area light are two types of lighting that are often used for outdoor spaces. They have different characteristics and applications, depending on the lighting goals and requirements.

Flood light is a type of lighting that produces a wide and powerful beam of light that can illuminate a large area. Flood light is usually used for security, safety, or accent lighting, as it can highlight specific features or objects, such as buildings, statues, or signs. Flood light can also be used for sports or entertainment events, as it can create a bright and uniform lighting effect.

Area light is a type of lighting that produces a soft and diffuse beam of light that can cover a specific area. Area light is usually used for general or ambient lighting, as it can create a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere. Area light can also be used for task or functional lighting, as it can provide adequate visibility and clarity for activities, such as reading, working, or walking.

What is the Difference Between Flood Light and Area Light?

Flood light and area light differ in terms of installation, lighting distribution, and uniformity.

Installation: Flood light is typically installed at a high position, such as on poles, walls, or roofs, and angled downwards to project the light beam. Area light is typically installed at a low or medium position, such as on posts, bollards, or lamps, and spread outwards to diffuse the light beam.

Lighting distribution: Flood light has a narrow and concentrated lighting distribution, meaning that it can focus the light on a specific spot or direction. Area light has a wide and dispersed lighting distribution, meaning that it can spread the light evenly over a large surface or space.

Uniformity: Flood light has a low uniformity, meaning that there is a significant difference between the brightest and the darkest areas of the illuminated space. Area light has a high uniformity, meaning that there is a minimal difference between the brightest and the darkest areas of the illuminated space.

How to Use Flood Light as Area Light?

Although flood light and area light have different purposes and effects, it is possible to use flood light as area light, depending on the situation and the desired outcome. Using flood light as area light can have some advantages and disadvantages, which we will discuss below.

Advantages of Using Flood Light as Area Light

Cost-effectiveness: Using flood light as area light can save you money, as you can use fewer lights to cover a larger area. Flood light is also more energy-efficient, as it can produce more lumens per watt than area light.

Versatility: Using flood light as area light can give you more flexibility, as you can adjust the beam angle, the power, and the color temperature of the flood light to suit different scenarios and preferences. Flood light can also be used for multiple purposes, such as security, accent, or general lighting.

Visibility: Using flood light as area light can improve the visibility and clarity of the space, as flood light can produce a brighter and more intense light than area light. Flood light can also enhance the contrast and the color rendering of the space, making it more attractive and appealing.

Disadvantages of Using Flood Light as Area Light

Glare: Using flood light as area light can cause glare, which is a visual discomfort or impairment caused by excessive or uncontrolled brightness. Glare can affect the safety and the performance of the people in the space, as it can reduce their visibility and concentration. Glare can also affect the aesthetics and the ambiance of the space, as it can create harsh and unpleasant shadows.

Light pollution: Using flood light as area light can cause light pollution, which is a negative impact of artificial light on the natural environment and the human health. Light pollution can affect the wildlife and the ecosystems, as it can disrupt their natural cycles and behaviors. Light pollution can also affect the human health and the well-being, as it can interfere with the circadian rhythms and the melatonin production, leading to sleep disorders, mood disorders, and other health problems.

Examples of Using Flood Light as Area Light

There are some situations where using flood light as area light can be beneficial and appropriate, such as:

Road lighting: Using flood light as area light can provide adequate and uniform illumination for the road and the surrounding areas, improving the safety and the visibility of the drivers and the pedestrians. Flood light can also create a dynamic and inviting atmosphere for the road, enhancing its appearance and attractiveness.

Park lighting: Using flood light as area light can create a comfortable and pleasant environment for the park and the visitors, providing enough light for the activities and the relaxation. Flood light can also highlight the features and the elements of the park, such as the trees, the flowers, or the sculptures, adding more charm and beauty to the space.

Retail lighting: Using flood light as area light can attract more customers and increase the sales for the retail stores, creating a bright and appealing display for the products and the services. Flood light can also improve the customer experience and the satisfaction, as it can showcase the quality and the details of the products and the services, making them more desirable and convincing.

Tips for Choosing the Right Flood Light for Area Lighting

If you decide to use flood light as area light, you need to consider some factors and tips to ensure the best results and avoid the potential problems, such as:

Beam angle: The beam angle is the angle at which the light is emitted from the flood light. The beam angle determines the size and the shape of the illuminated area. For area lighting, you need to choose a flood light with a wide beam angle, such as 90° or 120°, to cover a large and uniform area. A narrow beam angle, such as 30° or 60°, will create a small and concentrated area, which is more suitable for accent lighting.
Power: The power is the amount of energy consumed by the flood light. The power determines the brightness and the intensity of the light. For area lighting, you need to choose a flood light with a high power, such as 50W or 100W, to produce a bright and clear light. A low power, such as 10W or 20W, will produce a dim and dull light, which is more suitable for ambient lighting.

Color temperature: The color temperature is the measure of the color of the light emitted by the flood light. The color temperature determines the mood and the atmosphere of the space. For area lighting, you need to choose a flood light with a neutral or a warm color temperature, such as 3000K or 4000K, to create a comfortable and cozy space. A cool color temperature, such as 5000K or 6000K, will create a cold and sterile space, which is more suitable for security or task lighting.

Mounting options: The mounting options are the ways of installing the flood light on the desired position and direction. The mounting options determine the flexibility and the adjustability of the flood light. For area lighting, you need to choose a flood light with a versatile and a convenient mounting option, such as a bracket or a hook, to easily and securely attach the flood light to the pole, the wall, or the roof. You also need to choose a flood light with a rotatable and a tiltable head, to adjust the angle and the direction of the light beam.

Conclusion

Flood light and area light are two types of lighting that have different characteristics and applications. However, it is possible to use flood light as area light, depending on the situation and the desired outcome. Using flood light as area light can have some advantages and disadvantages, which you need to weigh carefully before making your decision.

We hope that this article has given you some useful information and tips on how to use flood light as area light. If you are interested in trying flood light as area light, you can check out some of the products that we mentioned above, or contact us for more information. We are happy to help you with your lighting needs

If you need to purchase lamps in bulk, please contact us.WOSEN is a professional manufacturer and supplier of Led Flood Light, Led Street Light, Led Solar Light, etc. For more information, please visit https://www.wosenled.com/ or contact admin@wosenled.com or WhatsApp +86-13425434349