Floodlights are usually sold on wattage, but wattage only tells you what it costs to run. Lumens tell you how bright it actually is.
How much light do you need?
- Doorway or small patio: 10W, roughly 800–1,100 lumens.
- Driveway or side passage: 20–30W, roughly 1,800–3,000 lumens.
- Full rear garden, yard or car park bay: 50W and up, 4,000 lumens or more.
IP ratings
The first digit covers solids, the second water. IP44 handles splashes and is fine under a deep porch. IP65 is dust-tight and rated against water jets — that is the sensible minimum for anything fully exposed to British weather. IP66 goes further for coastal or very exposed sites.
Warm or cool white?
3000K is warm white — softer, more like a domestic bulb, and much kinder to neighbours. 4000K is neutral and good for workshops. 6500K is daylight: brightest-looking and best for security, but it can feel harsh over a patio you actually sit on.
When to add a PIR sensor
A PIR sensor cuts running costs and makes a light far more useful as a deterrent, because movement is what draws the eye. Mount it around 2–2.5m high, angle it across the approach rather than straight down it, and keep it away from anything that radiates heat. Fixed-on lighting still makes sense where you need constant illumination, such as a step or a loading area.
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