Adding solar post cap lights in your backyard, deck, mailbox, or fence can add a little style and flair to your home. They create an elegant atmosphere that may make you want to spend more time on your porch or backyard.
There are various types of solar post cap lights that differ in style, design, size, and width.
Some of the most common and popular solar post cap light styles are band style, lamp style, and downward style. You can choose one depending on your budget and your home’s aesthetics.
In this article, we will explore much more information to help you get the best solar post cap lights.
Benefits of buying solar post cap lights
You may wonder why solar post cap lights became popular suddenly. It’s mainly due to their elegance. These lights can make your home look classy.
Here are a few more benefits that prove why these lights have become the new attraction among homeowners:
Minimal operational cost
These lights draw energy from sunlight. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the lights adding to your monthly electric bill.
Low maintenance
Solar post cap lights require little to no maintenance after you finish setting them up. You may dust the lights every week, but that’s enough to keep it going for years.
No risk
These lights don’t come with external wires that may pose a threat to your kids. The lights illuminate only when you switch them on.
No short-circuiting fatalities
Solar post cap lights have a simple setup. You just need to install the lights and place the solar panels in areas that receive maximum sunlight.
The lights’ internal wiring systems don’t cause short circuits since you don’t connect them to your home’s power line. There’s no risk of electrocution or accidents caused due to short circuits.
What to consider when buying solar post cap lights?
Buying solar cap post lights is not about picking the most stylish lights available.
You need to consider various factors like waterproofing nature, types of solar post caps, solar post cap materials, and the runtime of lights.
Following are some of the essential factors that will help to buy the best lights for your deck and backyard:
1. Is it weatherproof?
Three factors make solar post caps weather and waterproof: corrosion-resistant cast aluminum material, frosted PVC lamp, and IP65 waterproof solar post cap light.
It’s essential to buy weatherproof and waterproof solar post cap lights to make them last longer.
- Wanna get durable and weatherproof cap lights? Check Noma for fence and deck.
2. How to match cap lights with different types of posts?
The type of solar post cap lights you choose depends on the type of post you have. Here are a few popular materials that make the best posts:
- Wood post – Wood post is the most popular as it stands the test of time. For wood posts, it is much better you match them with traditional cap lights.
- Vinyl/Aluminum post – Vinyl/PVC and aluminum posts require more fashionable, sleek or minimalist cap lights.
3. What kind of colors and shapes are right for you?
With various post cap lights around, you may feel confused while choosing an appropriate light for your post or fence. But it entirely depends on your preference and budget.
From the post cap material to its size and color, you should see the lights and decide which one will look best for your house.
- For example, black goes with almost any color.
- On the other hand, brown post cap lights are ideal for houses with rocks and stones.
- Similarly, consider the color palette before choosing the lights for different posts and fences.
4. What solar post cap material do you want?
Solar post caps vary not just according to their styles and designs but also their materials.
You should choose the material according to the post or fence you have around your home. These caps are available in copper, stone, glass light, aluminum, plastic, mansard, hipped cap, and molded cap.
- Check more details of Home Zone glass and plastic accent light
5. What design should you buy?
This again depends on your budget and preference. You can go for fancy designs that cost more or stick to some of the simple designs to prevent them from burning a hole in your pocket.
- Copper, molded cap, and mansard provide some of the simplest designs.
- On the other hand, hipped cap, decorative wood top, and glass light come with unique styles that may make your deck, front, and backyard look beautiful.
6. What is the runtime?
The average runtime of solar post cap lights is between 6 and 8 hours. Some lights with top-notch solar panels may last longer.
The runtime also depends on the lights’ intensity. Using them at their highest setting consumes more energy. Thus, they may last for 5 to 6 hours.
- Check out SunnyPark rechargeable solar post lights
7. How bright are solar post cap lights?
Solar post cap lights come with different lumen counts that range between 100 and 300.
- 100 lumen is enough if you want to use the lights in your garden.
- On the other hand, you should use 150 to 200 lumen-lights if you want to light up your walkway or driveway.
How are solar post caps measured?
The best way to measure solar post caps is to go from one of the inner walls to its parallel side’s inner wall.
According to experts, this measurement system provides maximum accuracy as the external solar post cap will sit directly on top of the post.
This means you need to measure the post in such a way that it fits tightly enough to prevent water from penetrating the post’s surface.
Sometimes, the external post cap may look bigger than its actual measurements. This is because of the tapered-down design of the entire light set.
In such cases, you should measure from the post cap’s walls inner edge to its opposite side’s inner edge to match with the corresponding post size.
What solar post cap size do I need?
Finding the right solar post cap size may be a time-consuming process. This is because you need to select post cap lights of different options and sizes.
You should first decide where you want to install the solar post cap light.
- For example, if you want to install multiple lights in your driveway, then small-sized lights are appropriate.
- On the other hand, if you want to light up your deck, you can pick bigger lights.
Measure the area where you want to install the lights before buying them. It helps to pick the best size because you know the number of lights that will fit in that space.
How to use solar post cap lights?
Step 1: You need to measure your vinyl, PVC, or wooden post before installing the solar post cap lights. Make sure you buy the lights according to the measurement of the posts.
Step 2: Once you bring home the lights, remove the insulating sheets attached under them.
Step 3: Next, drill two holes on the post where you want to mount the light. Align the solar post cap light with the drilled holes and place them gently.
Step 4: Use the screws you get when you buy the lights. Tighten the screws and check whether the solar post cap is wobbling or not.
Step 5: Try switching on the light manually. The light should illuminate if its battery has enough power.
FAQs
1. Do solar post caps work in shady areas?
Yes, they do.
The operation of your solar post cap depends on the quality of the solar panels. High-quality solar panels derive more energy from the sun even if you keep them in relatively shady areas.
2. Which light should I buy: warm white light or cool white light?
Cool white lights light up your deck or driveway. But if you want a soothing ambiance, go for warm white lights.
