What Are Exterior Wall Pack Lights and Why Do They Matter?
What Is Wall Pack Lighting?
Outdoor commercial wall packs are available in varying sizes and styles to fit any application. Styles include: screw-in LED, integrated LED array, screw-in CFL, and HID lamp types. Access Fixtures commercial wall packs come in various housings to suit your application and can be custom-finished in your choice of RAL color. LED wall pack lights are durable, weatherproof exterior lighting fixtures designed for commercial and security applications. Wall packs are great for area and accent lighting in commercial and industrial locations. LED wall pack lights are a cost-effective solution due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan.
Key Takeaways
-
-
Exterior wall pack lights are versatile, durable, and energy-efficient fixtures ideal for commercial and industrial perimeter lighting, enhancing security and safety around buildings.
-
Choosing the right type of exterior wall pack lights; forward throw, cutoff, or up/down, depends on your specific lighting needs, location, and compliance with light pollution standards.
-
High-quality construction, customizable options like color and Kelvin temperature, and expert photometric analysis ensure optimal performance, reduced maintenance, and cost-effective lighting solutions for any project.
-
Exterior-grade wall-pack light fixtures are suited for illuminating streets, walkways, and driveways adjacent to buildings. Though typically mounted on the sides of buildings, wall-pack luminaires can be affixed to poles, too. Access Fixtures offers wall packs of many housing styles, light outputs, and sizes. Using LED wall pack lights can help reduce energy costs for both commercial and residential properties. If your project requires traditional housing, we have the wall pack fixtures for you. In some cases, certain wall pack fixtures may be required to meet specific safety or performance standards. Our lighting specialists can help you navigate the market and decide what wall packs are best for your budget, your project, and your performance needs. LED wall pack lights are known for reducing maintenance and energy costs over time. For example, forward-throw wall packs mounted on either side of a building entrance might be a terrific way to illuminate an area, but in some cases, a custom-finished wall pack will be more appropriate.
There are three patterns in which wall packs distribute light. There is a lot to consider when purchasing wall packs, and choosing a distribution style should be your first step:
- Standard, Forward Throw, or Traditional Wall Packs
- Distribute light out and down
- Cutoff Wall Packs
- Distribute light down to the ground
- Up/Down Wall Packs
- Distribute light up and/or down
What Are The Different Types of Exterior Wall Pack Lights, Their Construction, Styles, and Applications?
All wall packs from Access Fixtures are constructed of high-quality cast aluminum and treated with a chromate conversion coating to deter corrosion. Our products are powder-coated to improve consistency and durability. Many wall pack lights are kept in stock for quick delivery and installation.
Access Fixtures offers wall packs built with domestic and international components. These fixtures are typically wall-mounted for optimal performance. Because each wall pack is built differently, some fixtures may be better suited for your project than others. High-quality construction also helps reduce maintenance needs over the fixture's lifespan.
Forward Throw Wall Packs
ZIBO 100w LED Traditional Forward Throw Wall Pack
Forward throw fixtures send light out and forward, most often in a rounded distribution pattern. This can, of course, be modified, especially with LED fixtures, but any variation of a forward-throw wall pack will still have the goal of increasing light output.
Forward throw fixtures are frequently mounted on walls near property entrances, storage facilities, parking lot perimeters, and school exteriors.
Access Fixtures 50w and 100w ZIBO commercial LED fixtures are popular exterior wall lights. Made with Samsung 3030 SMB LED chips, these name-brand LED chips optimize performance and ensure the highest quality at an affordable price.
Cutoff Wall Packs
Cutoff wall packs are luminaires with a partial shield. Cutoff wall packs represent the middle ground between forward throw wall packs and cutoff wall packs. Read more about the specifics of the cutoff category here.
CUDL 84w LED Wall Pack Light
The risk of light trespass from a cutoff wall pack is less than that of a forward-throw wall pack. However, cutoff wall packs are not dark sky compliant and do send light forward, so keep this in mind when planning your project.
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) recognizes the need for outdoor lighting but advocates the use of appropriate lighting, largely to minimize harmful effects on the environment. The IDA recommends that lighting should:
- Only be on when needed.
- Only light the area that needs it.
- Be no brighter than necessary.
- Minimize blue light emissions.
- Be fully shielded (pointed downward).
To reduce light pollution, the dark-sky movement encourages the use of appropriate light fixtures in your area. The advantages of reducing light pollution include reduced energy usage and costs, reduced effects on the environment, and a clear night sky for humans and animals alike.
35w LED Full Cutoff Wall Pack
Cutoff wall packs are largely used when no direct uplight is needed. Direct uplight means no light is emitted above the horizontal plane. Beyond this limitation, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) requires that all fixtures comply with a glare requirement that limits light output intensity between 80 and 90 degrees.
Many regions require property owners to meet certain standards regarding light pollution, particularly in urban areas where dark sky compliance is a concern. In these situations, wall packs should be fully cut off, ensuring that light is emitted nowhere but downward and slightly forward. The shielding prevents light from shining upward into the sky or out onto surrounding properties. Cutoff lighting is a community-friendly option that provides excellent illumination while eliminating the most common concerns associated with lighting. When choosing your wall packs, you should consider the three components of light pollution: light glare, light trespass, and sky glow.
- Sky Glow
The amount of light emitted upward illuminates the night sky. - Light Trespass
The amount of light that exceeds the boundaries of a given area, such as a floodlight that lights up a neighbor’s property. - Light Glare
The harsh, uncomfortable brightness that light fixtures sometimes produce can often be seen from great distances. Light glare often causes visibility issues for drivers, pedestrians, and nearby properties.
BAKU 50w LED Wall Pack Crescent
Though light distribution is the most important factor when deciding on new fixtures for your project, design, and aesthetics are important factors in the decision-making process, too. Not only do you want your lights to give you the best output possible, but you want them to look good and suit the style of your space, right?
Access Fixtures has a range of cutoff wall packs, designed based on performance and style, too. These fixtures offer a contemporary appearance that is easy to install, durable, and with exceptional light distribution. These units can be perfect for applications such as restaurant and office entrances, where style and decorative requirements are important. Fixtures such as the BAKU 50w LED wall pack crescent boast sleek, modern designs while offering high performance, extraordinary light, and a hidden light source. The BAKU is an easy-to-use, UL-listed, rebatable die-cast aluminum crescent (half-moon) wall pack meant for use in stairwells; above doorways; outside commercial, retail, and industrial buildings; and elsewhere. It features a tempered, prismatic glass lens and a moisture-sealing gasket developed from high-temperature silicone. Its dark-sky-compliant design limits light trespass, making it ideal for use in areas with strict regulations.
Shop Cutoff Wall Pack Fixtures
Up and Down Light Wall Packs
HAMA 40w Up and Down LED Wall Sconce
Up-and-down lights are popular breeds of fixtures designed to provide a specific kind of illumination. Up-and-down lighting does what you would imagine: It sends light either up, down, or up and down. These fixtures are typically used to highlight particular cutoff designs or to create a symmetrical lighting pattern on an exterior wall.
The Access Fixtures HAMA 21w and 40w Up and Down LED Outdoor Wall Sconces are popular entryway lights, cutoff lights, wall uplights, and wall downlights for apartment buildings, brick facades, and more. Chip-on-board (COB) LED technology and the option to select 70-degree or 100-degree optics make it easy to direct the light for your project where you want it.
Wall Pack Beam Spread
When selecting your wall packs, it’s important to know what distribution pattern (beamwidth) your project will need. Size, output, mounting height, and distance will all make a difference and help you decide what beamwidth is most suitable for your space.
Beam Spread
Many wall packs from Access Fixtures can be built with specific beamwidths if you need your light to be more of a spotlight (narrower beam spread) or more of a flood light (with a wider beam spread), we can get you the fixture you need. Depending on how high a wall pack is mounted, a wider or narrower beam spread may be most appropriate. Access Fixtures lighting specialists are here to help you find the right wall pack for your facility.
A great place to start is to decide what classification you want:
- Narrow Spot (NSP)
Popular for commercial wall pack applications - Very Narrow Spot (VNSP)
Casts acute, focused light - Spot (SP)
Mostly used for commercial properties
Casts a softer, medium-sized beam - Flood (FL)
Suitable for a wide range of applications
Casts a wide beam - Narrow Flood (NFL)
Typically used in homes and smaller business properties
Casts a medium-sized beam - Wide Flood (WFL)
Provides a lot of light and a wide beam spread - Very Wide Flood (VWFL)
Used for specialty applications, typically used in outdoor spaces.
Access Fixtures can build these fixtures with custom optics to better suit the delivered light for your project. Are you looking to project a narrow beam of light outward? Widen the beam spread to 120 degrees? Angle the light left or right? Not a problem. Talk to our specialists at 800-468-9925 today, and we’ll walk you through the options to find the absolute best setup for your location.
Wall Pack Optics
Time, budgets, space, output, and sources are all important factors you should consider when selecting a wall pack. First and foremost, you’re probably seeking a fixture to eliminate a problem, either your space has insufficient or outdated lighting, or there is no light at all. Eliminating dark areas and providing excellent light output and distribution comes down to properly assessing your space and making informed decisions.
As we’ve mentioned, one of the most significant factors in creating a positive lighting outcome is deciding and assessing light distribution patterns. There are three main categories of light distribution patterns; each serves its own unique purpose.
Type III
Type III light distribution casts light approximately 2.75 times wider than the height at which a wall pack is mounted. Type III is best mounted near the area being lit. This allows the wall pack to project its light outward. This form of light distribution is typically used for landscape areas, outdoor parking lots, roadways, and other general area lighting applications.
Type IV
This form of light distribution is also known as forward throw. As previously discussed, this optic creates a round distribution pattern that directly pushes light outward. This form of light distribution is best used in parking area perimeters and wall mounting on building exteriors.
Type V
Type V light distribution is typically used for large areas such as parking lots and wide-open outdoor spaces. It works best when placed directly in the center of the space being lit. It produces a circular or square distribution pattern.
Light Sources for Wall Packs
When selecting lighting fixtures, a major consideration should be the light source technology. Each kind of fixture has its own unique combination of operating characteristics. These characteristics include efficacy, which we measure in lumens per watt; color accuracy, which is measured in CRI; lamp (bulb) life, which is measured in hours; and lamp lumen depreciation, which measures lumens lost over a fixture's lifetime. Each technology has its pros and cons; your decision will impact the quality of light, the maintenance requirements of the system, the integration with existing fixtures, and the cost of operation. Popular light sources for wall packs include LEDs, fluorescents, metal halide, and high-pressure sodium. LED is the obvious wall pack light source in terms of overall light output, lumen efficiency, optics and color choice, and longevity.
Wall Packs - Features, Colors, and Optional Extras
Custom Colors
Commercial wall packs come in various housings to suit your application. Most units from Access Fixtures can come standard in black, architectural bronze; many are also available in white. Need a color match? Choose a custom RAL color to ensure your new fixtures fit right in with the other elements of your project. The RAL system has been used since 1927, and currently includes over 2,300 colors with 70 metallic shades.
Kelvin Temperature
Do you want a wall pack to emit a specific color light? You will need to be familiar with Kelvin temperatures, or the color temperature, of the light source. The color temperature of a lamp indicates whether the lamp has a warm, midrange, or cool color appearance. Many of our LED fixtures can be built to a specific color temperature,
32w LED Turtle & Wildlife Friendly High Output Cutoff Wall Pack 120v-277v
so if you have a particular Kelvin in mind, Access Fixtures can help get you what you need. Need help deciding on Kelvin temperature? Contact one of our lighting specialists today at 800-468-9925.
Wildlife and Turtle Friendly
Access Fixtures wall packs are also available with wildlife and turtle friendly options. Wildlife lighting from Access Fixtures uses LEDs that emit light in a wavelength safe for wildlife in coastal areas, roads, walkways, and parking lots. Turtle hatchlings are particularly affected by standard light fixtures, as they instinctively use the bright, white light of the moon to guide them toward the ocean. Any standard lighting installed near the beach can disorient and mislead the turtles. The problem is so serious, many cities and neighborhoods prohibit use of any fixtures that don’t have the “turtle friendly” stamp of approval. The lights in this category are set to a specific wavelength between 590 nanometers and 610 nanometers, which turtles cannot see. Click here for more about turtle lighting from Access Fixtures.
Photometric Analysis
A photometric analysis is a great way to view the light output of a proposed lighting
Learn More about Photometric Analyses
solution. If you are trying to meet tight light-level parameters or simply want an idea of how much light a wall pack design will provide, our photometric team can run a series of reports. With so many factors to consider, like horizontal footcandles, vertical footcandles, max/min ratios, light trespass, light distribution, and mounting height, not to mention the unique performance of each fixture, a photometric analysis is often a sensible route to take. Using photometric software, we can create a property layout, add, remove, and adjust specific light fixtures, and generate any kind of light reading that might be relevant for your project. An Access Fixtures lighting specialist will then share the report with you and, if you’d like, go through it one page at a time on the phone. If we need to run more reports beyond that, we will.
Photometric analyses enable lighting specialists to make recommendations regarding the type and number of luminaires. Allowing a lighting specialist to create a lighting layout eliminates the guesswork. With photometrics, customers can see the exact light they will be receiving before installation.
Conclusion
Exterior wall pack lights are an essential component for enhancing the safety, security, and aesthetics of commercial and industrial properties. Their versatile designs, energy-efficient LED technology, and durable construction make them ideal for a variety of applications, from perimeter lighting to entryway illumination. By choosing the right type of wall pack, whether forward throw, cutoff, or up/down lighting, and considering factors such as mounting heights, beam spread, and custom options like color and Kelvin temperature, you can achieve optimal lighting performance while reducing maintenance and energy costs. With expert guidance and a wide range of high-quality products available, upgrading or installing exterior wall pack lights is a cost-effective solution that ensures improved visibility, safety, and long-lasting performance for your property.
Access Fixtures Lighting Specialists Can Make This Simple
Access Fixtures is your factory-direct source for high-quality lighting, including LED industrial and warehouse lighting. If you’d rather have an Access Fixtures lighting specialist tell you about a fixture or type of fixtures, or if you need help placing an order, call us at 800-468-9925. Our customer service team located in Worcester, MA, is ready to get you the fixtures you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Exterior Wall Pack Lights
What are exterior wall pack lights used for?
Exterior wall pack lights are primarily used for illuminating the perimeter of commercial and industrial buildings, enhancing security, safety, and visibility around walkways, entryways, parking lots, and building exteriors.
How do I choose the right type of wall pack light for my property?
Choosing the right wall pack depends on your specific lighting needs, location, and compliance requirements. Consider the light distribution pattern (forward throw, cutoff, or up/down), mounting height, beam spread, and whether you need features like dark-sky compliance or custom color finishes.
Are LED wall pack lights energy efficient?
Yes. LED wall pack lights are highly energy efficient, converting a significant portion of energy into light, which reduces energy costs and maintenance compared to traditional lighting options.
Can exterior wall pack lights withstand harsh weather conditions?
Most exterior wall pack lights are constructed with durable materials like die-cast aluminum and are weatherproof, making them suitable for extreme climatic conditions, including humidity, heat, and cold.
What is the typical lifespan of an LED wall pack light?
LED wall pack lights typically last up to 60,000 hours, which translates to many years of reliable, low-maintenance lighting. Access Fixtures LED wall packs are EXTREME-LIFE rated L70 at over 100,000 hours.
Can I customize the color or finish of my wall pack lights?
Yes. Many manufacturers offer custom color options using the RAL color system to match your building’s aesthetic and design requirements.
What is the importance of photometric analysis for wall pack lighting?
Photometric analysis helps determine the optimal number, placement, and type of wall pack lights needed to achieve desired illumination levels while minimizing light pollution and energy use.
Are there wall pack lights that minimize impact on wildlife?
Yes. Some wall packs are designed with wildlife and turtle-friendly LEDs that emit light wavelengths safe for local fauna, especially in sensitive coastal or protected areas.
How difficult is it to install exterior wall pack lights?
Installation is generally straightforward, especially with wall packs designed for easy mounting and wiring. However, professional installation is recommended to ensure safety and optimal performance.
Where can I purchase high-quality exterior wall pack lights?
High-quality exterior wall pack lights can be purchased from reputable lighting suppliers and manufacturers who offer a wide range of products, expert guidance, and fast shipping options.
