What is a wall washer and how do you choose one?

Short answer: A wall washer is a linear luminaire that lights a wall along its length, used on facades, columns, trees and interior walls. Choose by wall height, length, power and beam angle together. As a rough guide, 12–24 W models suit 3–4 m surfaces and 36–48 W models 6–10 m; the product's light distribution has the final word. Outdoors choose IP65 or higher, and an in-ground model if it will be buried.

What it is for

• Facades: See facade lighting.
• Trees and landscape: See garden lighting.
• Interiors: Shops, hotels and lobbies, see office and shop lighting.

Wall washing or grazing?

• Wall washing: The fitting sits further from the wall and light spreads evenly. Good for smooth painted walls; flaws show less.
• Grazing: The fitting sits very close and light skims the surface, bringing out stone, brick and wood. It also reveals flaws in plaster.

A common starting distance is about 10–30 cm for grazing and 50–100 cm for washing. Test before fixing.

How far does it light?

There is no single answer; power, beam and surface colour decide.

• 12–24 W: walls of 3–4 m, garden walls, columns.
• 36–48 W: facades of 6–10 m.
• Narrow beam: carries higher up the wall.
• Wide beam: more even on low, wide walls.
• Dark surfaces: need more power.

Gaps between fittings show as breaks; for a continuous line, mount them end to end.

What voltage?

Our range includes 24 V and mains versions. The base Lamptime OW11 is 24 V, with a 220 V option.

• 24 V: needs a driver in an accessible, protected place; watch voltage drop, see choosing an LED driver.
• Mains: practical for long runs and facades.

Protect outdoor circuits with an RCD and size cables properly: cable sizing.

The models in our shop

In our wall washer category:

• Lamptime OW11: lengths from 176 to 596 mm and more, 6–48 W, IP67.
• Lamptime OW12: lengths from 206 to 726 mm and more, 12–72 W, IP67.
• Lamptime OW14: recessed and in-ground, IP67; 328, 653, 980 and 1313 mm, 12–48 W.
• Molled MOL308: aluminium body, 3–48 W, 10–120 cm.

Lamptime models offer 2700–6500 K; optics are on the product pages.

Colour and mounting

• Warm white (2700–3000 K): stone, wood, classic facades.
• Neutral (4000 K): concrete, glass, modern facades.
• Keep fittings out of the eye line and avoid light into neighbours' windows.
• IP65 for rain, IP67 for in-ground or standing water; see IP ratings.

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• → Facade lighting
• → Choosing linear lighting