Here Are the Metals that Work Best with Your Beach Outdoor Lighting

Coastal living come with many perks – you get to wake up at the sight of the frothy waves lapping on the shore, the powdery sand beneath your feet, and the sound of the waters constantly churning under the blue sky. It's like living in paradise, but not for your outdoor fixtures. Beach outdoor lighting, for one, are exposed to a hostile environment that includes harsh sun, wind and salt.

Salt, an element present in sea water, sounds wonderful when it comes to spa, but not when it comes to the skin of your beach outdoor lighting. It is harmful and corrosive especially to metals; upon contact with steel, a chemical reaction occurs, causing the material to rust. Your lighting object doesn't have to sink down into the waters to experience salt’s adverse effects. Salt sputters as the waves foam by the shore and are carried by the wind. Everything within the coastal area is exposed to this element, and it is important to choose your outdoor fixtures wisely.

Fortunately, there are metal elements that could stand the damages brought by salt. If you're wondering which type of fixture can suit your coastal outdoor needs, take a look at this list:

Stainless steel may be your first choice for your lighting fixture, but when buying a product, take a closer look. The term "stainless steel" is an umbrella term that covers a range of grades; not all items dubbed as "stainless" can stand the corrosive tendencies of salt. When picking stainless steel materials, choose from high-grade products. Fixtures used in marine environment can bring you the resistance you need.

Brass is a tough metal that holds well in hostile environment. Made from copper and zinc, brass lighting fixtures offer a rustic look to your coastal property. Keep in mind that its patina might turn darker over time, but will not corrode like aluminium or light-grade metals.

Like brass, copper offers a brilliant shine that could outlast the adverse effects of the seaside environment. Its colour darkens over time, giving off a vintage charm after being exposed to the elements. This is the metal's own way of developing its own protective coating; that way, you don't have to worry about constantly upkeeping or replacing your fixtures.

Fat Shack Vintage offers a league of copper beach outdoor lighting you can use for your coastal home. Here are some of our favourites:

The Copper Outside LED Wall Light offers a 180-degree swivel and a tilt of 90 degrees max. For a well-placed illumination, choose our highly-efficient Copper Outdoor LED Spotlight.

The pure copper shade of the Outdoor Copper Pendant Light offers weather-resistant properties that can be used for indoors and outdoors.

Final tip: proper maintenance will keep your lighting fixtures look as good as new. Make sure to regularly clean your fixture to rub those salty elements away.

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If you are looking for more inspiration, check our our range of pendant lights and wall lights. 

Images via Fat Shack Vintage Pinterest board.