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Beacon Lights
Beacon lights, also known as bollard lights, are a type of architectural outdoor lighting that is composed of a short, upright ground-mounted post typically 1 to 3 feet in height with a lamp on top that typically casts light in multiple directions. They are often used to light or section off walkways, steps, and roadways. They differ from traditional path lights in that they focus light outwards horizontally instead of the beam being directed downward onto the walkway and the light bulbs used are generally much brighter.
The term bollard was originally used to describe the type of post sailors used to tie their ships to the dock or pier. To this day many bollard light fixtures retain a bit of that nautical look Commercially, bollards are used to section off an area, for instance to keep vehicles from entering a restricted pedestrian area, or to add protection between a road and a walkway. Lighted bollards or beacon lights have the added functionally of illuminating the area at night. These durable post lights can also be used to light specific areas such as signs, architectural designs of company logos or otherwise dark stairways.
Beacon lights are also used as landscape lighting for residential locations to provide definition, separation or protection along walkways or to outline an area of a yard such as a patio or terrace. In addition, beacon lights can also be used to enhance security on a property. A row of these bright lights can help illuminate an area of a home or business enough to ward off intruders.
Historically used in commercial applications around businesses and offices, beacon lighting is becoming more popular in residential applications. Since home owners favor more decorative landscape lighting, beacon light fixtures are now available in more designs and colors than the traditional black post. Beacon lights have a multiple uses whether you are looking for decorative or functional landscape lighting. Vista offers over a dozen US manufactured varieties in their catalog and several samples follow:
Model 2138CSN is contructed of a solid copper post fitted to a precison machined solid brass cap. It is 16 inches tall and 2 1/8 inches in diameter. It comes standard with a 20 watt halogen flood lamp and is also available with LEDs
Model 8204 is made of aluminum and available in 13 different colors. It is 17 1/2 inches tall and 6 3/4 inches in diameter, The frosted polycarbonite lens houses a standard 10 watt halogen lamp with the option of up to a 20 watt maximum. It is also available with LEDs. 
Mode 8242 is made of aluminum and available in 13 colors. It is almost 26 inches tall and comes standard with two 10 watt halogen lamps. It is also available with a maximum 20 watt halogen bulb or LEDs.
Model 9225 is constructed of aluminum and is available in 13 colors. It is 19 inches high and comes standard with a 10 watt halogen lamp. It is also available with a maximum 20 watt halogen bulb or LEDsIf you are looking for new landscaping lighting ideas, check out this e-book with over 7000 creative designs and videos
