Soffit light for garage entry door. Does it count?

[Raisedonadeere]

Will a soffit light, directly over entry door count as the code required entry door light?. Soffits are horizontal, 10' and a few inches high. If answer is yes then what light would be good. I have a 6" can light left over from a kitchen project and it will fit but may need to be wet rated or something?

With this particular door there is some exposure to the standard sconce light getting knocked off the wall, hence the desire to do soffit light.

Any thoughts or should I just install the standard wall sconce about 6' high beside the door?

 

[Bert_]

Light in soffit is fine.

 

[cybrdyke]

Outdoor lights protected from direct contact with weather are usually considered "damp location". If rain and snow can reach it, then it should be "wet location". There's alot of wet location wafer lights that work perfectly in a soffit.
CD

 

[ard]

Soffit lights are so much better that fixtures stuck onto walls, IMO.

The will light the ground, and or wash the building itself...creating visually interesting highlights of the structure itself. Instead of bright beacons that blast your pupils, preventing you from seeing the architecture.

Also why I like wall washing spots in landscape lighting....

 

[Stuart in MN]

I used some Lucifer Lighting soffit fixtures on a commercial project recently. I see they have one meant for residential use, it's rated for damp and wet locations: https://www.luciferlighting.com/Products/Recessed/Fraxion/FRAXION4

 

[Terry D]

Yes, it is code compliant




Sent from my SM-G960U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Bretny]

I used a soffit light for the first time on my back porch remodel. The light is way more useful shining on the ground/stairs than in your face.

 

[Raisedonadeere]

I used some Lucifer Lighting soffit fixtures on a commercial project recently. I see they have one meant for residential use, it's rated for damp and wet locations: https://www.luciferlighting.com/Products/Recessed/Fraxion/FRAXION4

Looks interesting but not a sign of a source can I find on Google. The companies web site presents no avenue except to find a sales rep. Would probably be a pricey light just buying two in KY.

But thanks to all for your thoughts. You confirmed what my intuition called for. I will find one at Homedepot or Lowes, wet rated just to be safe.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Until someone invents a light that doesn't attract night time bugs I avoid lights over entry doors. Yellow bulbs didn't work at all.

 

[Raisedonadeere]

Until someone invents a light that doesn't attract night time bugs I avoid lights over entry doors. Yellow bulbs didn't work at all.

This is to comply to code so I can pass inspection. But also my garage is 8' from house (eventual enclosed breezeway planned) and I need a light so I can make it to the house. I will be putting a motion sensor on it if I don't find a soffit light with one already built in. I am wondering if some sort of night light that provides just enough light to navigate would perhaps prevent the need for the motion sensor.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Looks interesting but not a sign of a source can I find on Google. The companies web site presents no avenue except to find a sales rep. Would probably be a pricey light just buying two in KY.

You'll never know unless you ask...all it would take is a phone call to the rep in your area.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Soffit lights are so much better that fixtures stuck onto walls, IMO.

The will light the ground, and or wash the building itself...creating visually interesting highlights of the structure itself. Instead of bright beacons that blast your pupils, preventing you from seeing the architecture.

Also why I like wall washing spots in landscape lighting....

+1. There's a new apartment building going in across the street and all of the lighting (so far, and they seem to be done) is downlight. It's great. Building looks great and no glare in my eyes. Building across the street from it, not so much with their wall packs but fortunately I don't have to look a it. The neighborhood near me, all of the houses have these stupid "carriage light" lampposts that just glare everywhere because it's supposed to be Victorian. They should do a group buy on half chrome bulbs; I bet they would enjoy the difference.

I have a soffit light on my garage entrance door; it's just what you describe.

 

[75gmck25]

I have a soffit light over the side door and a barn light on the front over the main door, and they are both controlled by the same switch. Since the garage is about 25 feet from the house and its a dark walkway, I installed a Lutron Caseta remote light switch and I turn the exterior lights on and off from the house when I go there at night.

I also used the Caseta trim piece that lets you mount the remote switch on a wall so that it looks like a Decora light dimmer switch.

Bruce