High-Quality vs. Low-Quality Outdoor Lighting: What Homeowners Need to Know
When it comes to outdoor lighting, not all fixtures — or systems — are created equal. While it may be tempting to choose the most affordable option at the big box store or online, the reality is that low-quality lighting often leads to disappointing results, shorter lifespan, and higher costs over time.
At Lindquist Outdoor Lighting, we specialize in designing and installing outdoor lighting systems that are built to perform beautifully for years. In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between high-quality and low-quality lighting products — and explain why it matters to your home, your safety, and your investment.
1. Color Rendering Index (CRI): How Light Affects What You See
What it is:
CRI measures how accurately a light source reveals the true colors of objects compared to natural sunlight. It’s scored on a scale from 0 to 100.
Low-quality lighting: Often has a CRI of 70 or below, which can make landscaping and architectural features look dull, washed out, or off-color at night.
High-quality lighting: Typically features CRI ratings of 80–95, ensuring colors appear vibrant and natural — which is critical when highlighting flowers, stonework, wood textures, and outdoor art.
Why it matters:
If you’ve invested in beautiful landscaping, you want it to look as stunning at night as it does during the day. High CRI lighting enhances the texture, contrast, and warmth of your outdoor space — without distorting its colors.
2. Lumens Per Watt (Efficiency): More Light, Less Power
What it is:
Lumens measure light output. “Lumens per watt” tells you how efficiently a light produces brightness based on energy consumed.
Low-quality lighting: May appear bright at first, but often wastes energy and generates more heat than light. Efficiency ratings are usually under 70 lumens per watt.
High-quality lighting: Offers 100+ lumens per watt, delivering bright, consistent illumination while using less power. Premium LEDs also produce less heat, which means they last longer.
Why it matters:
With high-quality lighting, you’ll get more light from each fixture while reducing your electricity use — saving money over time and reducing your environmental footprint.
3. Longevity and Warranty: How Long Will It Last?
What it is:
Durability in outdoor environments depends on more than just the LED itself — it includes the housing, wiring, seals, finishes, and driver components.
Low-quality lighting: Often uses cheap materials (plastic housings, poor thermal regulation, exposed connections) and may last only 1–2 years before performance declines. Warranties are often minimal or nonexistent.
High-quality lighting: Built with corrosion-resistant metals (like brass, copper, or marine-grade stainless steel), integrated LED modules, and sealed fixtures. Expected lifespan: 50,000+ hours. Backed by strong manufacturer warranties (typically 10 years or more).
Why it matters:
You don’t want to be replacing fixtures every year or chasing down failures when a light goes out unexpectedly. A professional-grade system is a long-term investment that offers peace of mind and predictable performance.
4. Beam Spread and Optical Control: The Design Difference
What it is:
Outdoor lighting isn’t just about brightness — it’s about where and how the light is cast.
Low-quality lighting: Often produces a generic, unfocused glow that spills in all directions. This can lead to glare, hotspots, or light pollution.
High-quality lighting: Uses precision optics and engineered beam spreads to control light direction and intensity. This ensures that paths are evenly lit, uplights highlight exactly what they’re meant to, and your property looks thoughtfully designed — not just lit up.
Why it matters:
Lighting design is a craft. The quality of the fixture directly impacts the quality of the final effect — both aesthetically and functionally.
5. Material Quality and Construction: Built to Withstand the Elements
What it is:
Outdoor lighting must endure all kinds of conditions — UV exposure, rain, snow, extreme heat and cold, irrigation systems, and even pets or pests.
Low-quality lighting: Uses powder-coated aluminum, plastic, or composite housings that can corrode, fade, crack, or warp in harsh climates (especially here in Colorado).
High-quality lighting: Uses heavy-duty materials like solid brass, copper, or stainless steel that develop a beautiful patina over time but won’t fail under weather pressure.
Why it matters:
You want fixtures that look better as they age — not ones that degrade with each season.
6. Installation & Compatibility: System-Level Performance
What it is:
How well do the components of your system work together — from the transformer to the fixtures to the control systems?
Low-quality lighting: Many DIY or “budget” kits use incompatible parts, which can lead to voltage drop, flickering, or uneven lighting. They’re also harder to expand or upgrade.
High-quality lighting: A professional system is carefully voltage-balanced, zoned for performance, and designed with future upgrades in mind. Everything works in harmony — reliably and safely.
Why it matters:
A lighting system is only as good as its weakest link. Investing in quality ensures the whole system performs smoothly for years to come.
The Bottom Line: You Really Do Get What You Pay For
When homeowners choose outdoor lighting, price often feels like the deciding factor — but it shouldn’t be. Low-cost fixtures might seem like a deal in the short term, but they rarely deliver the beauty, safety, durability, or energy efficiency that today’s outdoor spaces demand.
At Lindquist Outdoor Lighting, we only work with high-performance products that meet our exacting standards for quality, longevity, and design. Our clients trust us to deliver lighting that not only looks incredible — but lasts for years and grows with their property.
Thinking About Upgrading Your System?
Whether you’re starting from scratch or considering a redesign of an older system, we’d love to talk. We offer:
In-depth design consultations
System audits and upgrades
Custom installations using only high-quality materials backed by real warranties
Let’s create something exceptional — and built to last. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
