Can Light Over Front Door

Discover how sidelights can complement your entry door design.

Can light over front door.

For 9 foot ceilings use a 6 inch down rod. If you are using one wall light it should be approximately one third the height of the door. Door framing lights placed 6 to 12 inches from the door casing are a natural choice for symmetrical entries. For example two 60 watt incandescents for your front door fixtures can therefore be replaced by 15 watt leds.

1 4th or 1 3rd the width of the door frame centered above door 6 above the door front entrance hanging lights. Sidelights are vertical pieces of glass placed on the sides of an entry door to add more natural light to your home. Open up your front entry with full length windows on both sides of your door. A 13 to 15 watt led bulb labeled 60 to 70 watt equivalent per fixture is usually enough.

Larger front porches may also feature a pendant light above the front door or exterior ceiling fans. For very tall spaces you can cheat the lights up slightly but going too far above 72 inches is generally not recommended. With two lights they should be approximately one quarter the height of the door. Ceiling fans should be hung close to the ceiling unless your porch has exceptionally high ceilings.

Sizing of wall lights will be determined by the height of your door. Transoms above the door and sidelites on one or both sides of the door make your entry visually taller and wider creating a first impression that sets the tone for the rest of your home. For fluorescent or led options divide the calculated wattage by 4. 1 4th or 1 3rd the height of the door in inches at least 6 from door frame.

6 above the door front door wall sconces carriage lights. Sidelites or sidelights and transoms with clear glass bathe your entryway with daytime light. Full light sidelights allow in the most light while craftsman light sidelights have smaller panes of glass for more privacy. In both cases they should be mounted so that the center of the lamp is 66 inches above the ground.

Choose a window grid design that underscores your home s architectural style. This lets additional light into your home making your entry seem larger. Single sconce photo by courtesy of landscapes by dallas foster inc. In most front door and entry areas your outdoor sconces and wall lights should be positioned so that the center point is right around 66 to 72 inches above the floor.