LED Flood Lights
LED flood lights for perimeter and area coverage—spec’d by lumen output, beam control, and mounting to deliver bright, reliable light where security matters.
LED flood lights for perimeter security, loading zones, and targeted site coverage
LED flood lights are built to deliver long-lasting, energy-efficient illumination for a wide range of outdoor commercial applications. These powerful fixtures provide broad beams of light to enhance visibility and security around building perimeters, loading docks, and signage. Compared to traditional HID or halogen systems, our outdoor LED flood lights consume significantly less power while providing instant-on brightness and a durable service life that reduces long-term maintenance costs.
Read more about LED Flood Lights
Flood light families and mounts in this collection
We offer a versatile selection of LED flood light fixtures available in multiple mounting options—including knuckle mount, slip fitter, trunnion, and yoke mounts—to accommodate site-specific aiming and installation requirements. Whether you need a slip fitter for pole-top perimeter coverage or a knuckle mount for precise directional targeting, our fixtures prioritize rugged housings and dependable outdoor performance.
Related categories and flood-light planning context
Answer summary: LED flood lights are specified by mounting height, beam angle, aiming geometry, glare control, and site function—not wattage or lumen output alone.
Flood light aiming and performance references
Beam Angles & Aiming Strategies for LED Flood Lights Flood Lights for Perimeter Security & Targeted Coverage Selecting Flood Light Mounting Methods Surge Protection Requirements for Outdoor Flood Lights
Flood spec workflow: aiming geometry, beam selection, and documentation routing
Use this guide to select flood fixtures by mounting height, beam angle, and aiming geometry, then confirm glare and spill-light constraints before installation. The table of contents links to the decision points used in real site lighting specifications, including documentation routing (photometrics, submittals, shipping visibility, closeout) for commercial projects.
Flood lighting specification guidance
Proper flood lighting performance depends on mounting height, beam angle, aiming geometry, and glare control. Incorrect fixture selection can result in excessive spill light, poor uniformity, or non-compliant site illumination. For a complete breakdown of exterior photometric planning, mounting strategies, and code considerations across area, canopy, flood, and wall-mounted fixtures, reference our commercial site lighting buying guide.
Specification note: Common flood lighting failures include poor aiming that creates hot spots or shadows, excessive uplight or light trespass beyond property lines, and improper beam selection that causes glare at driver or pedestrian eye level—creating municipal non-compliance and increased liability risk.
Technical selection guide for commercial LED flood lights
Flood lights are typically specified for targeted zones rather than uniform site coverage, so beam angle and mount stability matter as much as raw output. Use the sections below to align optics and mounting with the jobsite geometry.
Mounting methods and stability
Selecting the correct mounting hardware is as important as selecting the fixture. The mount determines aiming accuracy, resistance to vibration, and how well the fixture holds position under wind loads.
- Knuckle mounts: Best for wall-mounted security and directional targeting (doors, docks, and façades).
- Yoke / trunnion mounts: Ideal for flat surfaces and heavy-duty installations where stability is critical.
- Slip fitter mounts: Specified for pole-mounted perimeter applications using standard 2-3/8" tenons.
Mount selection: Use this table to select the mount that will hold aim under wind, vibration, and long service intervals.
| Mount type | Best use | Strength | Watch-out | Spec check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knuckle mount | Wall-mounted security, precise directional targeting | Fast aiming and flexible adjustment | Can drift if not tightened/secured for vibration | Confirm locking hardware and aiming retention method |
| Trunnion / yoke mount | Heavy-duty aiming, flat surfaces, docks, structural installs | High stability and strong hold-position | Requires solid substrate and proper anchoring | Verify mounting surface integrity and bolt pattern compatibility |
| Slip fitter mount | Pole-top perimeter coverage on standard tenons | Common infrastructure fit; stable for perimeter layouts | Aiming range may be limited by pole geometry | Confirm tenon size (2-3/8" typical) and aiming range needed |
Beam angles and aiming geometry
Beam selection is driven by throw distance, mounting height, and how tightly you must contain the light on target surfaces. Wide distributions cover larger areas at closer range; narrow distributions concentrate light for longer throws or tighter control.
Selection rule: Choose beam angles based on the target zone and aiming geometry first, then validate results with photometrics when spill light, glare, or compliance is a constraint.
Selection shortcut: Use this table to match the application to beam angle and mounting method before validating aiming with photometrics.
| Target application | Primary goal | Typical beam choice | Preferred mount | Spec check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perimeter security (fence line / edge zones) | Directional coverage without boundary spill | Medium to narrow (contained aiming) | Slip fitter (pole) or trunnion (structure) | Verify property-line spill and driver-eye glare in the photometric set |
| Loading docks / door aprons | Task visibility at doors and staging areas | Medium (balanced spread) | Trunnion/yoke (stable aiming) | Confirm uniformity on the task plane; avoid harsh hot spots at door thresholds |
| Signage / facade highlights | Controlled illumination on a vertical plane | Narrow to medium (tighter containment) | Knuckle (precision aim) or trunnion | Keep peak intensity out of traffic sightlines; confirm no uplight into windows |
| Yard / laydown areas | Broad area visibility with controlled spill | Wide to medium (depends on constraints) | Slip fitter (pole) or trunnion | Validate max-to-min ratio and glare at typical viewing angles |
Glare and spill-light control
Flood lights can create driver-eye glare when mounted too high, aimed too flat, or specified with overly narrow beams. Limiting uplight and containing light to the property boundary reduces complaints and supports municipal ordinances.
Selection rule: Control glare using appropriate beam angles, cutoff shielding where available, and aiming that keeps peak intensity out of common sightlines.
Troubleshooting note: If complaints begin post-commissioning, use the symptom-to-fix table below before swapping fixtures.
Field-proven fixes: The table below maps common flood-light issues to likely causes and the fastest aiming/spec corrections.
| Complaint / symptom | Typical root cause | Spec fix (design) | Field fix (commissioning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver-eye glare | Narrow beam aimed too flat; high output at high angle | Use wider/controlled optic or add shielding; confirm cutoff options | Re-aim down; trim output if available; verify line-of-sight viewpoints |
| Light trespass beyond property line | Overly wide beam near boundary; incorrect aiming | Select tighter containment or relocate/raise/lower mounting as needed | Re-aim and confirm boundary levels; add shields/visors where supported |
| Hot spot on ground / harsh contrast | Too tight beam at short throw; excessive output for height | Move to medium/wide beam and adjust layout assumptions | Re-aim; reduce wattage (selectable) or apply high-end trim |
| Shadowing at dock doors / staging areas | Poor aiming geometry; fixture positioned too far off-axis | Reposition/retarget for the task plane; consider multiple smaller floods | Re-aim to the working plane and verify uniformity at key points |
| Uplight / spill into windows | Fixture aimed above horizontal; no cutoff control | Specify cutoff/shielding; tighten beam where appropriate | Re-aim to keep light on target planes; confirm no uplight at final settings |
Durability and weather exposure
Outdoor flood lights should prioritize sealed housings and corrosion-resistant finishes for long service life. Die-cast construction, reliable gaskets, and weather ratings help maintain driver integrity in exposed environments.
Selection rule: Specify weather-rated construction (sealed housings, durable finishes) for wind-driven rain, dust, and coastal or industrial exposure conditions.
Reliability checklist: Use this table to spec flood lights for real outdoor exposure (rain, dust, surge events, corrosion, and vibration).
| Exposure / risk | What to specify | Why it matters | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind-driven rain / dust | Weather-rated sealed housing and gasketed lens interface | Prevents moisture ingress and driver degradation | Confirm the rating applies to the full luminaire assembly |
| Voltage surges (storms/switching) | Internal surge protection appropriate to the site | Reduces storm-related driver failures | Confirm surge spec and whether it is field-replaceable or integral |
| Coastal/chemical corrosion exposure | Corrosion-resistant finishes and hardware when required | Prevents fastener/latch degradation and housing compromise | Match to local exposure (salt air, chemicals, exhaust) |
| Vibration and aim retention | Stable mount selection and locking/retention method | Prevents drift that creates glare or spill over time | Verify torque/locking guidance and mounting substrate suitability |
Controls and operating strategy
Many flood projects use dusk-to-dawn operation for security, while other sites require scheduling or motion-based strategies for energy reduction. Where available, integrated photocells or control-ready drivers simplify deployment and maintenance.
Controls strategy: Use this table to choose dusk-to-dawn automation and energy-reduction behavior without compromising security response.
| Control approach | Best fit | How it behaves | Commissioning notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photocell (dusk-to-dawn) | Perimeter security and always-on zones | On at dusk, off at dawn (simple baseline) | Avoid placement that causes false triggers; confirm service access |
| Schedule / timeclock | Sites with predictable hours and policies | Runs by schedule; can reduce output late night | Document zones + schedules for turnover/maintenance teams |
| Motion-boost (security response) | Low-traffic zones where full output is intermittent | Boosts output on detection, reduces when inactive | Manage nuisance triggers; tune timeout and sensitivity to the site |
| Bi-level dimming (where allowed) | Late-night reduction policies without going dark | Maintains a low baseline with full-output periods | Set minimum dim above dropout; verify uniformity at low level |
Commercial Project Support
Need documentation, lead-time visibility, or closeout-ready deliverables? Use the resources below to route your project correctly and reduce revision cycles.
- Commercial Project Support (Hub)
- Quote Intake & Project Routing
- Photometrics
- Submittals
- Shipping Reliability & Fulfillment
- Closeout Documentation
- Returns & Restocking
- Warranty Claims
- Frequently Asked Questions
Closeout-ready checklist: Use this table to standardize documentation for flood-light projects and reduce revision cycles.
| Deliverable | What it proves | Include | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut sheets | Configuration + ratings | Mount type, beam options, IP/weather rating, voltage, surge spec | Match mount to substrate and aim-retention needs |
| Photometrics / aiming plan | Coverage and containment | IES files and/or calculations showing aiming angles and target planes | Include property line checks if trespass is a constraint |
| Glare/spill mitigation notes | Compliance and reduced complaints | Shielding/cutoff approach, aiming limits, and any output trims | Document final aiming and settings at closeout |
| Controls details | Predictable operation | Photocell/schedule/motion strategy, zone map, dim levels | Include maintenance expectations and service access notes |
| Installation notes | Reduced rework | Mounting hardware, torque/locking guidance, aiming targets | Helps prevent aim drift and post-install glare complaints |
FAQs
How do I choose LED flood lights by mounting height?
Start with mounting height and the target zone. Higher mounts typically require tighter optics and careful aiming to maintain useful light on the task area while avoiding driver-eye glare and spill light.
Which mount should I specify for flood lights?
Use knuckle mounts for wall-mounted directional targeting, yoke/trunnion mounts for stable heavy-duty aiming on flat surfaces, and slip fitters for pole-mounted installations on standard tenons.
What causes glare complaints with flood lights?
Glare usually comes from narrow beams aimed too flat, overly high output, or poor aiming that puts peak intensity in common sightlines. Correcting it often requires beam changes, shields, and re-aiming.
Do flood lights need surge protection?
Outdoor flood lights are exposed to storm-driven surges and switching transients, so surge protection is a common reliability requirement—especially for perimeter and elevated installations.
When should I use photocells or schedules?
Photocells are best for simple dusk-to-dawn operation, while schedules and motion strategies are often used to reduce light levels during low-traffic hours without sacrificing security.
Expert reviewed for commercial specification
Brandon Waldrop
Lead Commercial Lighting Specialist • Documentation + Layout Support
The LED Flood Lights collection is reviewed for targeted-zone performance (not “blanket brightness”), with beam/aiming discipline, mount stability, and spill/glare control verified so perimeters, loading zones, and signage planes stay readable without driver discomfort or boundary complaints.
Collection review focus:
Verified for target-plane intent (vertical visibility at doors, dock faces, and approach lanes—not just bright pavement) so people, vehicles, and critical working surfaces stay legible on-site and on camera; verified for beam-angle selection tied to throw distance and mounting height (narrow/medium/wide chosen by geometry first) so coverage lands where it’s needed without creating hot spots, shadow bands, or “overlit then dark” contrast; verified for aiming geometry discipline (tilt limits, off-axis checks, and real sightline preflights from drive approaches and pedestrian paths) so peak intensity stays out of common view cones and glare risk doesn’t become the project’s failure mode; verified for mount stability and aim retention (knuckle, trunnion/yoke, slip fitter chosen for vibration/wind posture and substrate reality) so fixtures hold their aiming over long service intervals instead of drifting into glare and trespass; verified for property-line and window exposure containment (spill-light checks, shielding/visors where supported, tighter distributions near boundaries) so light stays on the site and ordinance pressure doesn’t trigger rework; verified for uniformity credibility in functional zones (dock aprons, staging areas, yard targets) so the site reads consistently bright where work happens without harsh pools and dark pockets between aim points; verified for weather and durability posture (sealing interfaces, corrosion exposure notes, vibration posture) so long-run outdoor duty doesn’t turn into gasket failures, aim drift, or premature driver problems; verified for surge resilience expectations on exposed installations (storm/switching events considered in the spec set) so flood-light failures aren’t concentrated after weather events; verified for control reliability aligned to security policy (photocell/schedule/motion behavior, minimum safe dim baselines where used) so the site doesn’t nuisance-cycle, “half shut off” at night, or create too-dim conditions during low-traffic hours.
Team-backed support: Quotes, photometrics, submittals, shipping visibility, and closeout documentation are supported through Commercial Project Support . Call 800-357-6860.
Commercial LED Flood Lighting Engineering Resources
