How to light a building facade: wall washers, wall lights and floodlights

Short answer: In facade lighting you first decide how the building should look at night and only then choose fittings. Use wall washers to light a large flat surface evenly, grazing light placed very close to the wall to bring out stone, brick or timber texture, up-down wall lights to give rhythm around entrances and between windows, and narrow-beam floodlights to accent a single element such as a column, tower or sign. The basics outdoors: at least IP65 (IP67 for in-ground), warm white (2700–3000K) or neutral white (4000K) on modern facades, a single colour temperature, a dedicated circuit with 30 mA RCD protection, and control by a timer or dusk sensor.

Start with the goal: what should the facade show?

• The whole facade: the building is recognisable at night and its mass reads clearly. Even light from wall washers or wide-beam floodlights.
• Texture: natural stone, brick, timber battens, fair-faced concrete. Light must strike the surface at a very shallow angle so that shadows reveal the texture.
• Rhythm: entrance, gaps between windows, pilasters. Wall lights at equal spacing or recessed uplights.
• Accent: column, tower, logo, tree. A narrow-beam floodlight or spotlight.
• Safety and wayfinding: door, steps, paths. Here the goal is light level; for gardens and paths see our garden lighting guide.

Two or three of these layers are enough for one facade; using all of them makes it look busy.

Wall washing with wall washers

A wall washer is a linear fitting that spreads light along a wall from a long, slim body. It is mounted on the ground, under the eaves or on the wall, lighting upwards or downwards. Lengths can be lined up end to end to light long facades without gaps.

• Washing: the fitting is set some distance from the wall; light meets the surface more directly, spreads evenly and softens texture. Used on smooth render and painted facades.
• Grazing: the fitting sits at the foot of the wall, within a few tens of centimetres; light skims the surface. Striking on stone and brick, but it also shows any flaws in render.
• Beam angle: choose a narrow beam so the light reaches the top of a tall facade, a wide beam for a low, long wall. The right angle and distance are best judged with a sample fitting in the evening.

At ENGN, Lamptime OW11 and OW12 are wall washers on adjustable ground or wall brackets (OW11 6–48 W, OW12 12–72 W); OW14 is recessed into the ground and invisible by day (12–48 W). All three are IP67, available in 2700K–6500K and run on 220–240 V AC.

Wall lights: entrances and rhythm

An outdoor wall light throws light in one or two directions and draws a pattern on the wall. Up-down wall lights at equal spacing between doors and windows give a facade rhythm. Points to watch:

• Mounting height and spacing must be the same across the facade; a single misaligned light stands out.
• At eye level the light source should not be directly visible (glare).
• At least IP65 on walls exposed to rain; check the mounting orientation the manufacturer allows.
• On externally insulated facades, fix the light with suitable anchors or mounting blocks that do not crush the insulation, and seal the cable entry.

For example, Lamptime GW55 is an IP65 outdoor wall light with integrated LED (6 W); on the lamp-holder models (GW51, GW52, GW53) the lamp can be replaced. Linear wall lights intended for indoors (e.g. IP20 models) are not used on facades.

Accenting with floodlights

A floodlight lights an element of the facade or a large area from a distance. For facade accents, low wattage and a narrow beam are often enough; high wattage is for car parks, sports areas and yards. Wattage and lumens are worked out in our guide what wattage LED floodlight do you need. On a facade, make sure the floodlight does not spill onto neighbours' windows, the road or the sky: keep it as close to the surface as possible and aim it at the surface.

Colour temperature and colour

• 2700–3000K: a warm, welcoming look on stone, brick, timber and classic facades.
• 4000K: a clean look on white render, glass and metal-clad modern facades.
• One colour temperature: different kelvins on one facade (e.g. 3000K wall lights, 6500K floodlights) look disorganised. Choose every fitting in the same colour.
• Coloured (RGB) light: dates quickly for permanent use; consider it as a separate layer for holidays and events.

For kelvin and lumens, see lumens, watts and colour temperature.

IP, IK and durability

Wall-mounted fittings need at least IP65, in-ground fittings IP67, with a gravel drainage bed so water does not collect beneath them. For walk-over in-ground fittings, check impact resistance (IK) and load rating in the datasheet; where vehicles pass, choose a model rated for vehicle loads. By the sea and in industrial areas, the body finish and screws must resist corrosion. See IP ratings explained.

Wiring and protection

1. Run facade lighting as a dedicated circuit from the consumer unit, protected by a 30 mA RCD.
2. Underground, run cable in protective conduit; on walls use sealed junction boxes and glands, with outdoor, UV-resistant cable.
3. Calculate voltage drop on long runs (cable size calculation).
4. Make connections inside the fitting or in an IP68 connector box; never leave joints exposed.
5. Where drivers are separate, they must be rated for outdoor use or installed in a protected place.

On apartment buildings the facade is usually common property, so get the owners' or management's approval first. Local rules apply, and mains connections should be made by a qualified electrician.

Control: when should it be on?

• Dusk sensor (photocell): switches on when it gets dark and off at daylight.
• Astronomical timer: calculates sunset and sunrise from the calendar; it can switch facade lighting off at, say, midnight while leaving security lighting on.
• Motion sensor: at entrances and doors; details in motion sensor lighting.
• Dimming: with DALI or 1–10 V drivers, dimming after midnight saves energy and reduces light pollution.

Reducing light pollution

• Where possible, light from above downwards; limit uplight with an element such as eaves or a cornice.
• Aim fittings at the surface and use shields or honeycomb louvres where needed.
• Do not spill light onto neighbouring windows or the road, and avoid dazzling drivers.
• Do not over-light: slightly brighter than the surrounding street lighting is usually enough.
• Switch off or dim late at night.

Quick plan

1. Photograph the facade by day and mark the surfaces and elements you want to show.
2. Choose a technique for each: washing, grazing, wall-light rhythm, floodlight accent.
3. Fix one colour temperature.
4. Plan fitting positions, cable routes and the circuit at the consumer unit.
5. If possible, check angle and distance with a sample fitting in the evening.
6. Decide the control scenario (sensor, timer, dimming).

In Bursa, ENGN helps with fitting selection and installation for facade and outdoor lighting projects, and supplies Lamptime wall washers, floodlights and outdoor fittings to order.

• → LED wall washer IP67 – Lamptime OW11
• → LED wall washer recessed IP67 – Lamptime OW14
• → Outdoor wall light IP65 LED – Lamptime GW55
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