Complete Guide To Buy Festoon Lights Online
Festoon lights have become an extremely popular way to decorate both indoor and outdoor spaces. Their vintage yet versatile look makes them a great choice for creating ambiance and a festive backdrop. With so many options available online these days, it can get overwhelming to pick the right type and length of festoon lights for your needs. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to buy festoon lights online from reliable sellers like Fusion Lighting with confidence.
Introduction to Festoon Lights
Festoon lights are strings of large, round incandescent or LED bulbs that are spaced 8-12 inches apart and hung together on a wire in loops so they remain suspended between attachment points. They are designed to be hung overhead both indoors and outdoors to create ambient lighting for celebrations, parties, restaurants, patios, porches, gardens, and more.
Unlike fairy or Christmas lights with tiny bulbs, the large pear-shaped bulbs of festoon lights stand out prominently, creating a vibrant, old-world charm perfect for cozy dining spaces or outdoor gatherings. The nostalgic design dates back to Medieval times when candles were suspended overhead to illuminate village squares and outdoor spaces.
Modern festoon lights adopt this concept but with longer-lasting electric bulbs. Let's look at the options available today.
Types of Festoon Lights
Festoon light strands are commonly available with incandescent, LED, or CFL bulbs. Each has its pros and cons:
Incandescent Festoon Lights
Pros: Warmer light, vintage look
Cons: Short lifespan, consume more energy, get hot
LED Festoon Lights
Pros: Long lifespan, energy efficient, versatile colors, durable
Cons: Cooler light temperature
CFL Festoon Light
Pros: Bright light, moderately energy efficient
Cons: Contains mercury, less durable, buzzing noise
So which is best? Here's a quick comparison:
For ambiance - Warm incandescent lights look great
For reliability - Durable, long-lasting LED is best
For budgets - CFL lasts reasonably long at a lower cost
Now let’s understand how festoon lights vary in shapes, sizes, and output.
Shapes and Sizes
The most common festoon light bulb shape is the pear shape. However, teardrop, globe, and flame-shaped bulbs are also available.
Pear-shaped lights cast light evenly around them, great for ambient lighting
Teardrop-shaped bulbs emit light directionally, good for spotlighting items
Flame-shaped bulbs also direct light downwards, helpful over tables
Globe-shaped bulbs emit light like regular bulbs, with no directional focus
Standard festoon bulb diameters range from 2 to 4 inches across. The larger the bulb size, the more prominent the lighting effect. Smaller 2-inch bulbs work well for subtler accent lighting.
Are festoon lights suitable for indoors?
Yes, Many festoon light strands work both indoors and outdoors. Just check if the bulb glass and cords are rated for exterior conditions.
Can you connect multiple festoon strands?
Yes, up to 3 strands of festoon lights can be linked in sequence by connecting the light cord sockets. This extends the total length.
How do you clean festoon bulbs?
Use a duster or soft dry cloth. Never wet or dampen festoon bulbs as moisture can damage the electrical contacts.
Can festoon lights be hung without hooks?
It's not recommended. Adhesive hooks or clips ensure firm mounting to anchor the weight of lights evenly.
What are G40 and G25-type festoon bulbs?
G40 refers to diameter - 40mm. G25 types are 25mm wide. G40 bulbs are larger and emit more light.
Can you replace festoon bulbs with any generic bulbs?
It's best to replace dead bulbs with the same wattage and size spares made specifically for festoon lights. Generic bulbs may not align or fasten correctly.
Conclusion
I hope this complete guide covers everything you need to know before buying festoon lights online. Focus on choosing the right bulb shape, light temperature, spacing, and strand length based on how and where the festoon lights will be hung. Check if the cords and lights work for indoor vs outdoor use. And finally, compare prices across reputable online retailers while staying within your budget.
With this information, you can shop online for festoon lighting with full confidence. The beautiful strings of light will create a warm festive glow for your indoor or outdoor location. Have fun decorating.
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