Daru E27 IP54 Plain Outdoor Wall Light 27cm - Sand White

Round, flat and plain across the front, this bulkhead throws its light through an opal white diffuser set into a sand white body. At 27cm across it reads as a neat disc on the wall rather than something that pulls the eye, and the shallow depth keeps it well clear of shoulders in a narrow passage. It takes a single E27 lamp, and we would choose an LED candle for it, since that shape sits centrally and lights the opal evenly. With the right lamp and dimmer it will dim.

This is the sort of fitting we reach for at back doors, porches, garage sides and side returns, where the job is steady light and a lantern would look fussy. It is sealed against dust and splashing rain, so open walls and sheltered entrances both suit it. There is no switch on the body, which means it runs from an indoor switch, a timer or a sensor circuit as you prefer. The plain face and low price make it easy to repeat along a run of doors, and it is a sensible pick for holiday lets, flats and shared entrances where fittings get knocked about.

White sits quietly against render, brick, pale stone and painted timber, and the opal diffuser keeps the lamp hidden so there is no bright point to squint at from the path. For cleaning, turn the power off, wait for everything to go cold, then wipe the diffuser with a damp cloth and dry it off; outdoors, grit and cobwebs tend to gather around the rim more than anywhere else. It carries a one year warranty. We also stock the same bulkhead with an eyelid hood and with a framed front, and the plain one in anthracite if you would rather it disappeared against a darker wall. Lamps are not included.

What size is it and how far does it stand off the wall?

The face measures 270mm in diameter with a projection of 70mm, so it stays tight to the wall in tight passages and doorways.

Which lamp should I use?

It has an E27 socket rated to a maximum of 40W. An LED candle lamp in the C35 shape suits it best, as it sits neatly behind the opal diffuser.

Can it be dimmed?

Yes, provided you use a dimmable lamp with a compatible dimmer.

Is it suitable for an exposed wall?

It is IP54 rated, so it copes with dust and splashing water and is fine on a wall that gets weather, as well as under a porch.

Does it have its own switch?

No, it is unswitched, so it is controlled from a wall switch, timer or sensor elsewhere on the circuit.

How do I keep the white looking clean?

With the power off and the fitting cold, wipe the body and diffuser with a damp cloth and dry it. It weighs 0.85kg, so it is light enough to clean around comfortably.