Reconstruction the classic gooseneck light to withstand the test of time.
Knowing that the look and feel of an exterior barn light was still desired, AQL went searching for a better way to build the fixture.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 16, 2014
Gooseneck lights have been used by commercial business owners and residential homeowners alike to provide effective illumination to brighten up company signs or to illuminate walkways. The traditional exterior barn light has been used for decades, and will continue to be used across America. So it comes as quite a surprise to hear that this timeless classic has been redesigned to provide greater reliability by Affordable Quality Lighting.
The lighting community is very familiar with the basic structure of a typical outdoor barn light. On one side the arm mounts to the building, and on the other it has an extension for the socket. There is a cap at the top of the socket to provide a seamless look and feel once the shade of the fixture is attached. The shade slips over the socket extension of the arm, and into the cap at the top of the swivel. Then the shade is held in place with a fender washer and a plastic nut. In essence, the fixture has two major pieces: the arm with the socket and swivel, and the shade.
This basic construction has been used on expensive and cheap barn lights alike with the same results. Over time the fixture begins to degrade due to inevitable weather conditions that arise like excessive rain, wind, or a blazing sun. The weight of the shade bears down on the socket, and slowly wind, gravity, or minor vibrations cause erosion.
There are some other minor flaws with this traditional design. With the socket resting at the end of the arm extension to bear the weight of the shade, it leaves a normal PAR38 bulb exposed to the harsh elements. The curve of the bulb can be seen past the lip of the shade, which reduces the reflection the shade may provide for maximum light quality. Classic gooseneck lights are also typically made out of spun or folded metal with a slim arm. Fundamentally, this timeless classic was built with an expiration date.
Knowing that the look and feel of an exterior barn light was still desired, AQL went searching for a better way to build the fixture. They went to the drawing board, and came up with a durable design that would withstand the test of time.
Visually, AQL’s custom exterior gooseneck light looks the same as the original design with the swivel at the end of the arm connecting to the shade. The difference is in the details. This ingenious design has three major parts: the arm, the cast iron head (which encases the socket), and the shade. By dividing the fixture into three major portions, AQL was able to alleviate the pressure of the shade from the socket. They removed the need for a fender washer and plastic nut, instead the shade is held in place with four screws into the cast iron cap. This adjustment increased durability and reduced weather erosion over time.
The innovative design also moved the location of the socket deeper into the fixture. Now resting in the head piece, instead of at the top of the shade, the bulb sits flush with the top of the shade maximizing the light output. This design also shields the bulb from being exposed at the base of the shade.
New construction also changed the original material used to create this fixture, which was spun or folded metal. AQL uses a cast iron construction to build a solid, more reliable fixture. The cast iron material improves the strength of the surface mount which reduces that flexing that may cause cheap barn lights to pull away from the wall. Lastly, the mount is equipped with a heavy duty yoke and has two threaded knock outs for easy installation of a photocell and/or motion sensor. It’s hard to believe the timeless classic needed to be redesigned, but the improvements AQL made to the traditional sign light increases the longevity and reliability of one of our old favorites.
Since 1974, Affordable Quality Lighting (AQL) has offered the widest selection of high quality indoor and outdoor light fixtures at unbeatable prices! We have designers on staff to help you select the right fixture for your space, and electricians to ensure you purchase the correct accessories for your next lighting project.