{"title":"Weatherproof outdoor lampshades","description":"\u003cp\u003eCheck three lines on the product page before choosing: the IP rating, the diffuser material and the presence of seals. A waterproof outdoor lampshade is decided on these, then on the quality of light you want to give a porch, a terrace or a facade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"definition\"\u003eWhat is a waterproof outdoor lampshade?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA waterproof outdoor lampshade is a diffuser designed to stay outside: it keeps water and dust away from the socket and the bulb, and lets light through. On the product page, it is the IP rating, the diffuser material and the presence of seals that set it apart from an indoor model. Without these three pieces of information, nothing guarantees it will last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does the IP rating actually protect?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe IP rating is read in two digits. The first concerns solids, dust and small objects: the higher it is, the more closed the volume. The second concerns water, from splashes to immersion. For ordinary outdoor use, an IP44 rating covers water splashes and dust; a highly exposed wall calls for more. But a figure on the box without a seal in good condition protects nothing: it is the seal that provides real waterproofing, not the claim on the packaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy does condensation appear in an outdoor light fixture?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA closed lampshade traps the air of the room or of the day. At night, the wall cools faster than the inside, vapour settles, and drops appear on the diffuser or near the socket. An LED that gives off little heat limits this phenomenon without removing it. A small vent provided by the manufacturer, a seal that does not trap moisture and a correctly tightened fitting do more for service life than any commercial promise. It is also what keeps the light steady every evening, with no variation in brightness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe families of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/abat-jour\"\u003elampshades sorted by mounting type\u003c\/a\u003e should be read with these three criteria in mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"emplacements\"\u003eWhere to install a waterproof lampshade: terrace, balcony, porch or facade?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA waterproof lampshade goes where the fixture receives splashes: under a porch, on a covered terrace, along a facade or near an entrance. The more the spot is exposed to rain and wind, the more carefully the protection and the fixing must be done. The evening effect changes too: under a porch the light stays close to the wall, on a terrace it lights the ground and faces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eWhich level of protection to aim for depending on location\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLocation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat attacks the fixture\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eProtection to check\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaterial that holds up\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnder a porch or roof overhang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDust, draughts, slanting rain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP rating and presence of seals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePainted metal, opal acrylic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCovered terrace\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStagnant humidity, condensation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP rating and ventilation of the volume\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcrylic, glass, treated metal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExposed facade or wall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDirect rain, wind, ultraviolet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHigh IP rating, UV-stable diffuser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolycarbonate, acrylic, glass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoolside or watered garden\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSplashes, spray, watering\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP rating and splash resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolycarbonate, glass, treated metal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOutdoor wall light on a terrace: what precautions before drilling?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst locate any pipes or cables already in the wall, then choose the height: around 1.80 m to light a passage, lower for ambient light. The fixing must match the wall material, solid brick, blockwork or render over insulation, because a badly anchored wall light moves with the wind. Fit the seal before tightening the lampshade, and check after tightening that it has not slipped. For silhouettes, compare \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-moderne\"\u003emodern shapes\u003c\/a\u003e before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFloor lamp shade: how to protect it outdoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA floor lamp cannot go just anywhere: it needs a stable base, a flat surface and, if possible, a spot sheltered from the prevailing wind. A weighted base or a heavy enough foot limits tipping. Check that the lampshade fixing matches the foot model, then check the tightness after the first rains. The rest of the equipment is in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003ethe general lighting catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e, to be read by family of use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"matieres\"\u003eWhich material to choose for a waterproof outdoor lampshade?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection contains no products to date: no material, no socket, no protection rating, no light temperature, no dimension, no style and no part can be cited. The choice depends above all on the effect you want and the degree of exposure. A sheltered terrace tolerates more than a wall hit full-on by rain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eOutdoor lampshade materials: effect, durability, care\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaterial\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLight effect\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBehaviour outside\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCare\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOpal acrylic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEven diffusion, little glare\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood resistance to splashes, prone to scratches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft cloth and soapy water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolycarbonate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUniform light, slightly cooler\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImpact resistant, stable outdoors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDamp sponge, no abrasive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGlass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrisp effect, more contrasted light\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUV stable, to be protected from impacts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGlass cleaner, gentle drying\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMetal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShapes the silhouette, light depends on the diffuser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRequires a finish treated against humidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDry cloth, check the fixings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater-repellent technical fabric\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFiltered, very soft light\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFor sheltered areas only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft brush, no direct jet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWaterproof acrylic lampshade or glass lampshade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcrylic weighs less, is easier to fit at height and forgives small impacts without shattering. It does, however, scratch fairly quickly if rubbed dry with a dusty cloth. Glass gives a more direct light, does not yellow in the sun and cleans like a window, but it is vulnerable to impacts and weighs more on a wall light. On a facade exposed to wind, that difference in weight matters as much as the effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOpal, satin or clear diffusion: which effect outside?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn opal diffuser wraps the light and avoids dazzling someone sitting below: it is the choice for a terrace dining area. A satin finish sits in between, with a little more presence. A clear one lets the bulb show, draws shadows and suits lighting directed at the ground or the wall. On a porch, opal remains the most comfortable in the evening. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jour\"\u003eThe lampshade collection as a whole\u003c\/a\u003e can be compared on this diffusion criterion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"ampoule\"\u003eWhich E27 outdoor bulb to put in a waterproof lampshade?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA closed outdoor lampshade requires an E27 bulb compatible with the socket and with the IP rating of the fixture. An LED gives off little heat, which limits condensation. Avoid very powerful models in a small closed volume and check the colour temperature before buying: it decides the atmosphere as much as the effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eE27 outdoor bulb: power and colour temperature\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround 2700 to 3000 kelvins, the light is warm and friendly: it is the register of a terrace where you dine. Towards 4000 kelvins, the white becomes more neutral and makes faces and steps easier to read: useful near an entrance or a staircase. Beyond 5000 kelvins, the lighting leans blue and suits a relaxation area poorly. Plan the power according to the size of the volume: an oversized bulb heats the socket for nothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLED, filament or smart: what does a closed lampshade support?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA simple LED gives off little heat and lasts a long time, it is the safest choice in a closed volume. A filament LED imitates the effect of the classic bulb but gives off more heat and takes up space: check the clearance under the lampshade. A smart bulb brings dimming and colour control, provided its format fits in the housing and the socket is well protected from humidity. In all cases, the shape of the bulb matters as much as the technology. For a contemporary silhouette, take a look at \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-moderne\"\u003ea selection of modern shapes\u003c\/a\u003e before making your choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"installation\"\u003eHow to install an outdoor lampshade or hang it from the ceiling?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstallation comes down to three steps: switch off the power, fix the bracket or hook provided into the material, then screw on the lampshade and refit the bulb. On a porch ceiling, a hook suited to the support and a cable clamp stop the pendant from moving in the wind. Allow for a tightness check after the first week.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to install a lampshade on a wall light or a pendant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemove the old diffuser, inspect the socket and the seal before refitting: a crushed or cracked seal should be replaced. Screw or clip on the new lampshade according to its system, without forcing the socket. Restore the power and check the effect from far and near. If you are hesitating between several mounting families, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eall our lighting families\u003c\/a\u003e can be read by use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to hang a lampshade from a porch ceiling?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose a plug suited to the ceiling material, concrete, wood or panelling, then fix the hook by pulling straight. Leave enough clearance around the bulb so that heat can escape, and keep enough headroom if the lampshade hangs low. A hook that is too thin works with the wind and ends up ovalising its anchor point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"entretien\"\u003eHow to care for a lampshade and change its fabric?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lampshade is cleaned with warm soapy water on solid materials, without abrasive products or a direct jet on the seals. To change the fabric, the rings are removed, the frame is kept and a new canvas is stretched before refitting the whole. A sheltered outdoor shade is cleaned twice a year, an exposed one more often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to change a lampshade's fabric?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemove the two rings, peel off the old canvas, keep the metal frame and note the direction of the grain. Stretch the new canvas without deforming it, gluing it to the ring or sewing it according to the original assembly. Refit and check that the fabric does not touch the bulb. For indoors, compare \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-en-tissu\"\u003efabric lampshades\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-en-lin\"\u003eour linen lampshades\u003c\/a\u003e: the weave effects are not the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCleaning a lampshade exposed to the weather without damaging the finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWait for dry weather, dust with a soft brush, then wash with a damp sponge and a neutral soap. Rinse lightly, dry with a lint-free cloth and let it finish in the air. Avoid alcohol, acetone and abrasive sponges, which dull acrylic and attack paint. Take the opportunity to tighten the screws and check the condition of the seals. Indoors, a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-pour-salon\"\u003eliving room lampshade\u003c\/a\u003e or a model designed \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-pour-chambre\"\u003efor the bedroom\u003c\/a\u003e is cleaned more simply, dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"style\"\u003eHow to match an outdoor lampshade with the facade and the style of the house?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a light facade, a white colour blends in and lights without contrast; a black colour draws the silhouette and highlights the light. The style follows the house: modern lines for a recent build, more classic shapes for an older structure. The simplest approach is to repeat the same model on every light point of the same facade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhite or black lampshade on a light facade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite disappears on a light render and leaves only the light visible: discreet by day, soft in the evening. It shows dust marks more and therefore needs cleaning more often. Black structures, underlines dark joinery and highlights a halo of light. Compare \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-coloris-blanc\"\u003ethe white colours\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-coloris-noir\"\u003ethe black versions\u003c\/a\u003e on the same shape before deciding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes a modern or classic lampshade change the effect?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy day, it is the silhouette that counts: a straight, fine line suits a recent house, a rounder shape suits an older structure. At night, the drawing of the halo takes over. Two light points that answer each other on a facade are worth more than an isolated model in the middle of a bare wall. For a child's bedroom indoors, the question is different, as \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jours-pour-chambre-de-bebe\"\u003ethe baby's room\u003c\/a\u003e shows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou now have the three points to check: IP rating, diffuser material, seals in place. Browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/abat-jour\"\u003ethe lampshade collection\u003c\/a\u003e to compare mountings, then go back to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003ethe essentials of our lighting\u003c\/a\u003e if you are looking for the complete fixture rather than just the diffuser. Secure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service accompany every order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions about the waterproof outdoor lampshade\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eCan a glass bedside lamp shade stay outside?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlass withstands humidity, but a bedside lamp is not designed for outdoors: socket, switch and cable are not protected. For a terrace, a fixture advertised as waterproof, with an IP rating and seals, is better than a relocated indoor lampshade. The difference lies in the whole assembly, not just the diffuser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow to choose a floor lamp shade for outdoors?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst check the fixing provided on the floor lamp, then the material and IP rating of the lampshade. A stable foot and a heavy enough base matter as much as the diffuser: that is what stops the whole thing moving in the wind on a terrace. Check the tightness after the first rains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWhich E27 outdoor bulb to choose?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn E27 bulb whose shape fits under the lampshade and whose heat stays moderate: an LED gives off little heat and limits condensation in a closed volume. Choose the colour temperature according to use, warm white around 2700 to 3000 kelvins for a dining area, more neutral towards 4000 kelvins to make an entrance safer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eHow to hang a lampshade from the ceiling?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwitch off the power, fix a hook or bracket suited to the ceiling material, then hang the lampshade by its intended ring. Check the tightness and leave enough clearance around the bulb so that heat can escape and the assembly does not move in the wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWaterproof outdoor lampshade: how to check that it really is?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead the product page: IP rating, diffuser material, presence of seals and explicit outdoor use. A lampshade merely advertised as resistant, or intended for sheltered use, does not behave like a model designed to receive rain and splashes. Without these details, treat it as an indoor model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"CollectionPage\",\"name\":\"Waterproof outdoor lampshade: the buying guide\",\"description\":\"Waterproof outdoor lampshade: material, IP rating, E27 bulb, installation and care. 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For a terrace, a fixture advertised as waterproof, with an IP rating and seals, is better than a relocated indoor lampshade.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to choose a floor lamp shade for outdoors?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"First check the fixing provided on the floor lamp, then the material and IP rating of the lampshade. A stable foot and a heavy enough base matter as much as the diffuser: that is what stops the whole thing moving in the wind on a terrace.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which E27 outdoor bulb to choose?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"An E27 bulb whose shape fits under the lampshade and whose heat stays moderate: an LED gives off little heat and limits condensation in a closed volume. Choose the colour temperature according to use, warm white for a dining area, more neutral to make an entrance safer.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which outdoor wall light for a terrace to install?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A wall light whose IP rating matches the exposure of the wall and whose bracket suits the facade material. Locate any pipes or cables before drilling, fit at a useful lighting height and check that the lampshade seal stays in place after tightening.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to hang a lampshade from the ceiling?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Switch off the power, fix a hook or bracket suited to the ceiling material, then hang the lampshade by its intended ring. 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