A Guide to Selecting the Best Lighting for Your Swimming Pool
A swimming pool can be a wonderful design feature for your home that increases its value and visual appeal. Moreover, it is a place for you and your loved ones to have fun and relax. Whether you want to have a pool party or a barbeque, a fibreglass swimming pool is the place to do so. Even if you are not a social person, owning a swimming pool will mean that you will have plenty of opportunities for full-body exercise and relaxation.
However, in order to make the most out of your swimming pool, you need to use it any time during the day or night. For this, you have to find the best lighting. It not only gives a great visual appeal and offers safety for your kids and pets. Read on to learn how you can select the best lighting for your swimming pool.
The popular pool lighting systems
Depending on your pool and personal preferences, there is a wide range of lighting types you can choose from. Let’s take a look at these:
LED pool lights
When it comes to swimming pool lighting systems, LED lights are among the most popular options. Known for their long life span and energy efficiency, LED pool lighting can create a vibrant atmosphere while you are swimming. Compared to other lighting options available on the market, you will have more illumination.
Because they are energy-efficient, LED lighting can cost more. However, since they have a long lifespan, in the long run, you will save money. Moreover, with this lighting option, you can have a lot of options. In case you want a budget-friendly option, you can go for battery-operated LED lights, which are cheaper. You should note that LED lights don’t have the same brightness as halogen lights. This is why LED lights work best for small swimming pools.
Halogen pool lights
Halogen lights are the best option for someone who wants a bright swimming pool and has a large pool. The initial cost of installing these lights is less than LED lights and they are also brighter. So, if you are on a budget, this would be the perfect option for you. Thanks to their incomparable brightness and improved efficiency than the standard bulbs, they were the most popular choices for swimming pool lighting, indoor as well as outdoor. However, they can get really hot and won’t last for as long as the LED lighting system.
Fiber optic pool lights
If you are someone who doesn’t want to change their bulbs in the pool, fibre optic pool lights are the best option for you. This is because the power keeping the lights on isn’t present in the water and is connected to the dry power box. Having this design means that the light will be travelling to the pool from the box through a skinny cable that has small fibres. So, if you have to make any repairs, you will have to access the dry power box. You won’t have to deal with water and electricity.
This is a safer option for pool owners. However, you should know that the lights will be dimmer than other options because the power travels from a distance. Moreover, the bulbs might be a bit expensive.
Solar pool lights
Solar pool lights are another great option for your swimming pool. Since these lights float in the water, you will get a splash of colour. They won’t provide light to your entire pool, but they are a great add-on. Because they are powered by the sun, your energy usage will be low. Moreover, they are available at a variety of prices, meaning that you can buy them regardless of budget. Also, you can get the desired look you want, thanks to several colours they are available in. You should note that this is not a permanent option for the pool lighting system.
Speaking of Solar, have you checked out our top picks for solar pool covers? Check it out here!
Factors to consider while selecting the lighting system
Here are a few things that you have to consider while selecting a swimming pool lighting system:
Colour
For people whose top priority is visibility and safety, white light is a perfect choice. It’s a simple, classic choice for someone who wants to showcase the design of their swimming pool in a low-key way. However, if you want a wow factor, you can get colour-changing pool lights. You can change the colour depending on your mood and even have pre-programmed light shows.
The colours your choose for your pool lights will be influenced by the colour of your pool. Check out our pool colours here!
Technology
Thanks to the advancement in technology, swimming pool lighting systems now have several convenient, fun features. This includes dimmer switches, smartphone integration, and more. You can program the coloured LED lights for when you are entertaining. These colourful light shows will add some element to your parties.
There are a lot of high-tech innovations other than colour-changing pool lights that you can choose from. When you opt for a smart pool lighting system, you can control them using a remote, your home automation system, or a phone app.
Size
Depending on the size of your swimming pool, you will need multiple pool lights. For a pool of the size 15×30, you will only need one light. For a pool of 20×40 size, you will need two lights. A 20×42-sized pool will require more than three lights.
Check out our different pool sizes here:
Finish
Your swimming pool light’s appearance will be impacted by your pool finish’s colour. Light or medium-coloured interior surfaces will reflect light whereas dark finishes will absorb it. So, for the former, you can opt for white or coloured lights. In case you have a pool with a darker finish, the better option will be a white light. If you don’t, the finish will absorb the coloured light, creating a dark and gloomy effect.
Energy consumption
For those who want an environmentally friendly option, solar-powered or LED pool lights are the best option. They will keep your energy costs down while ensuring that you are doing good for the environment as well.
In Conclusion
So, now that you have a basic understanding of pool lighting systems, you can make the right decision and increase the visual appeal of your swimming pool. Chat to your local pool builder today about lighting options for your pool!
