Why Do Professional Landscape Lighting Fixtures Cost So Much?

Not all fixtures are created equal, and the quality and performance of your landscape lighting can vary greatly depending on the fixtures you choose.  So the question is, What are the different grades of landscape lighting fixtures and what factors drive the cost of these products.

The Cost Variable

Sure, you can purchase a low-quality, lightweight, plastic, or aluminum fixture from any of the major box stores for as little as $10. While these fixtures are generally cheap, they come with a handful of problems. They are generally poorly constructed with cheap materials, have a very short lifespan, and will not provide the level of performance you’re expecting.  Most of us have had these products at one point in home ownership.  While one can begin to see that any lighting is nice on dark nights, but they typically get frustrated with reliability and actual outcome of the project.

On the other end of the spectrum, some high-performance commercial fixtures can be ordered through a speciality store or lighting distributor for over $1000. These fixtures are often made with higher-quality materials and are built to last. They may also have advanced features such as adjustable optics and weather-resistant construction.

What Dictates the Cost?

Some of the key factors include the type and quality of LED, the electronics used, the quality of the lens, the type of brass or metal used, the finish on the product, the ground stake, the wire used in the fixture, the quality of the glass, and the seals to keep insects or moisture out.

When choosing a landscape lighting fixture, it’s important to consider not just the initial cost but also the long-term performance and durability of the product. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, in the long run, it may cost you more in repairs and replacements.

Some Advice from our Designer and Owner

I am often asked by our potential customers what brand do we use?  While there are a handful of great companies out there, many terrible ones too, my choice is determined by the application of the fixture.  The location of the fixture, what output I need, how much room do we have to work with, environment, will it bee seen, and of course will always want to use a high quality fixture that a manufacture and myself can stand behind.

If someone is not going with our company or they want a comparison, I would recommend using a Vista brass fixture that you can get from your local Site One distributor.  Site One also makes their own product under the ProTrade brand.  Their products are good and seem to be pretty reliable from our experience with doing maintenance on existing systems, I just don’t think these fixtures are very nice looking.  They are practical, but do not have that nice, high-end looking finish and fixture design. 

Choosing the right landscape lighting fixtures is a decision that will impact your system’s overall performance and longevity. It’s important to consider the factors that drive the cost of these products and choose a fixture that offers the best balance of quality, performance, and overall value.