Are you looking for saltwater outdoor lighting for your Jacksonville property? Finding the right fixtures for your seaside home is essential for longevity in the fresh salt air. While the ocean air is great for the soul, it can be hard on metal fixtures, especially those residing on the exterior of buildings. When planning your outdoor lighting, it is important to know how it will react to saltwater.
When you choose Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Jacksonville, we’ll help you make the right outdoor lighting fixture choices for your property.
Saltwater Outdoor Lighting
Our fixtures are all copper or brass. We offer marine quality brass for properties that may require a more corrosion-resistant material.
Referred to as marine brass or naval brass, the alloy is a mixture of copper and zinc, usually around a 60% copper to 40% zinc combination. With the additional alloys mixed in, the metal is more resistant to saltwater corrosion. Allowing it to last longer in heavy salt conditions.
Outdoor Lighting Maintenance for Saltwater Exposure
All metal can corrode after long-term exposure to saltwater. While copper does patina beautifully over time, saltwater can increase the speed of the weathering. The patina is not only gorgeous, blending in with landscapes, but it also protects the metal from the elements. That being said, it is important to take a few extra maintenance steps if you live near the water to extend the life and enhance the beauty of your lighting.
First, clean your lights regularly. Saltwater deposits can build up on the outdoor lighting fixture, detracting from its attractiveness.
Secondly, if your lights become directly exposed to saltwater in the case of a flood or storm, it is important to clean them immediately after the storm surge has receded.
Cleaning tips for copper and brass outdoor lighting:
- Do not use cleaning products.
- A damp cloth and a little dish soap will do the trick.
- Rinse with clean water to remove soap residue.
- Clean lights that are not exposed to rainwater more often than those that benefit from the natural rinse.
- Use a common lubricant like WD-40 to add a corrosion-resistant film to your copper. Wipe it on gently with a cloth. It doesn’t take much to slow down the accelerated weathering from saltwater. (This can work to protect your lights from hard well water too.)
If you live at the beach, trust Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Jacksonville to assist you with all your outdoor lighting needs. Call today to schedule a free nighttime demonstration.
