How to Choose the Proper Wrought Iron Sconces
Wrought iron sconces are an essential part in the décor of most construction or remodeling projects.
They not only function to illuminate the room but also serve as decorative pieces.
Many people incorporate wrought iron lighting sconces as key elements in their design plans.
Key criteria that should be taken into consideration when choosing and planning to incorporate sconces into your décor will next be discussed.
Junction box location and size is often times the most overlooked factor in lighting plans.
If not properly situated, your choice in wrought iron sconces can be drastically cut.
Many contractors tend to use a commercial mounting height of 6'-8" for the electrical junction box location.
Although this height is necessary to meet ADA lighting requirements in commercial applications, this height is almost always too high for home lighting.
Consequently many owners are left with very limited wrought iron sconce options; most often fixtures that offer only down-lighting.
Junction boxes that are situated between 5 and 6 feet in height tend to provide the greatest amount of flexibility in wrought iron sconce options.
In addition to more having more options, these wrought iron sconces become part of the décor as they tend to become a focal point when placed at eye level.
Projects under construction but undefined in sconce selection should consider using smaller junction boxes as well.
While the common 4-inch junction box works well for installing most wrought iron sconces, there can be additional benefits to using a smaller junction box.
Many handmade wrought iron sconces and vintage lighting fixtures have back plates that are not large enough to cover the standard 4 inch diameter of the junction box.
Since many of these fixtures are purchased after the electrical boxes are installed added time and money are required to adapt them properly.
Assuming you are happy with the placement and size of your junction box, we can now turn our attention to selecting your wrought iron sconces.
You may want to begin by asking yourself the following questions: how much light do I need to get from these lighting fixtures? Are there any space limitations that may limit the height, width or projection? Are there safety concerns in selection a shade material such as glass? Does the fixture require a switch? Do I want to see a light bulb or do I want a wrought iron sconce with some other type of diffuser? The first question is of utmost importance since some sconces serve to illuminate areas better than others.
Sconces that have opaque diffusers may not illuminate a room adequately even when higher wattage light bulbs are used.
Wrought iron sconces with a more modern feel often use opaque acrylic, glass and even perforated metal as part of the design.
These fixtures tend to serve more as mood lighting or art pieces rather than true light sources.
If your project requires your wrought iron sconces to serve as primary sources of illumination choose fixtures that do not conceal the light bulbs.
Fear of too much light or the "in your face" appearance can easily be corrected by using a lower wattage bulb, placing the fixture on a dimmer or adding clip on shades.
Space limitation is often overlooked until after the sconces are in place.
Proper planning will ensure that fixtures will fit properly.
Things to consider with space in mind will include door swings, mirrors (when placing fixtures above vanities), artwork, drapery, cabinetry, etc.
Shades and diffusers are made from many different materials and some may prove dangerous depending on the location.
Glass is a popular shade material because of the many different options in colors and textures.
If glass is selected as a shade material for your wrought iron sconces, be sure to consider the relevant safety issues.
Proper planning and vision for your sconce selection will help avoid costly retrofitting and time.
When the right questions are asked ahead of purchasing there is a greater chance of selecting the proper fixtures.
Be mindful that just because decorative sconces look good in a showroom setting, they may not work in every situation.
If all else fails, companies that have the ability to modify or create custom iron sconces should be consulted.
Some lighting companies offer pricing so competitive that you may not have to pay much more (if any) than a ready-made sconce in inventory.
They not only function to illuminate the room but also serve as decorative pieces.
Many people incorporate wrought iron lighting sconces as key elements in their design plans.
Key criteria that should be taken into consideration when choosing and planning to incorporate sconces into your décor will next be discussed.
Junction box location and size is often times the most overlooked factor in lighting plans.
If not properly situated, your choice in wrought iron sconces can be drastically cut.
Many contractors tend to use a commercial mounting height of 6'-8" for the electrical junction box location.
Although this height is necessary to meet ADA lighting requirements in commercial applications, this height is almost always too high for home lighting.
Consequently many owners are left with very limited wrought iron sconce options; most often fixtures that offer only down-lighting.
Junction boxes that are situated between 5 and 6 feet in height tend to provide the greatest amount of flexibility in wrought iron sconce options.
In addition to more having more options, these wrought iron sconces become part of the décor as they tend to become a focal point when placed at eye level.
Projects under construction but undefined in sconce selection should consider using smaller junction boxes as well.
While the common 4-inch junction box works well for installing most wrought iron sconces, there can be additional benefits to using a smaller junction box.
Many handmade wrought iron sconces and vintage lighting fixtures have back plates that are not large enough to cover the standard 4 inch diameter of the junction box.
Since many of these fixtures are purchased after the electrical boxes are installed added time and money are required to adapt them properly.
Assuming you are happy with the placement and size of your junction box, we can now turn our attention to selecting your wrought iron sconces.
You may want to begin by asking yourself the following questions: how much light do I need to get from these lighting fixtures? Are there any space limitations that may limit the height, width or projection? Are there safety concerns in selection a shade material such as glass? Does the fixture require a switch? Do I want to see a light bulb or do I want a wrought iron sconce with some other type of diffuser? The first question is of utmost importance since some sconces serve to illuminate areas better than others.
Sconces that have opaque diffusers may not illuminate a room adequately even when higher wattage light bulbs are used.
Wrought iron sconces with a more modern feel often use opaque acrylic, glass and even perforated metal as part of the design.
These fixtures tend to serve more as mood lighting or art pieces rather than true light sources.
If your project requires your wrought iron sconces to serve as primary sources of illumination choose fixtures that do not conceal the light bulbs.
Fear of too much light or the "in your face" appearance can easily be corrected by using a lower wattage bulb, placing the fixture on a dimmer or adding clip on shades.
Space limitation is often overlooked until after the sconces are in place.
Proper planning will ensure that fixtures will fit properly.
Things to consider with space in mind will include door swings, mirrors (when placing fixtures above vanities), artwork, drapery, cabinetry, etc.
Shades and diffusers are made from many different materials and some may prove dangerous depending on the location.
Glass is a popular shade material because of the many different options in colors and textures.
If glass is selected as a shade material for your wrought iron sconces, be sure to consider the relevant safety issues.
Proper planning and vision for your sconce selection will help avoid costly retrofitting and time.
When the right questions are asked ahead of purchasing there is a greater chance of selecting the proper fixtures.
Be mindful that just because decorative sconces look good in a showroom setting, they may not work in every situation.
If all else fails, companies that have the ability to modify or create custom iron sconces should be consulted.
Some lighting companies offer pricing so competitive that you may not have to pay much more (if any) than a ready-made sconce in inventory.
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