Where would you put the light?

[Woody3]

I'm in a bit of a predicament with an outside light.

Our property was originally two cottages as you can see from the two large lintels. One door has been blocked up and made into a window. 3 weeks ago, there was once a conservatory here (outlines of the old silicone sealant still remain), thus I have a cable and switch for an outside light, so I might as well make use of it!

My question is, where would you put the outside light? Above the lintel to the remaining door? Above the joint in the two lintels? Or other? The light cannot be fixed to the lintel.



There is another door, out of shot, to the left, that has the light directly above, but there is no large lintel.

So where would look best? The light is a Coughtrie swan-neck light.

Cheers!

 

[Lime]

Speaking from experience of living in the depths of the country and of an outside light over a door, I wouldn't recommend it.
Unless your area is particularly free of night-flying insects the light will draw them like a magnet so that whenever you open the door a swarm of them will come in.
Far better to place the light where insects can congregate without being a nuisance to you.

 

[livias]

At the top of the apex. At the moment there is a focal point there which does not focus on anything. A light would complete it

 

[MatthewC]

Or in line with the apex but a bit lower down. Hopefully more silicon will come off and the old roof line will reduce in impact.

Those really are HUGE lintels aren't they? You say you can't put the light onto a lintel; is it because they are reinforced concrete?

 

[mims&pip]

I'd put it central to the apex, but slightly lower down if possible.....as Livias says, it needs something there.

Mims x

 

[Woody3]

I've only just started to pull the silicone off. It's steady going, but I'm getting there. Any tips on removing it?

Some interesting thoughts. Looks like straight down the middle seems the way to go.

The reason I can't drill the lintels is that they have survived 300+ years without being touch and I really don't want to be the first to "damage" them.

I'll get a photo of the whole elevation, now it's stopped raining, and see what you think then...

 

[Woody3]

Hopefully you can see this:

There are two lights at eah end of the elevation (inline with the sill of the first floor windows) and another light just above the green door.

 

[DJH]

I agree with Lime but as I expect you will have some glass in the top door and, with the adjacent window if it's in the same room, will attract insects when those lights are on. I'd be inclined to fit it below the apex of silicone to draw the eye away from there so slightly lower but not in line with the other two lights.

Not too much help I'm afraid...

Doug

 

[Zebra]

I agree with the majority - just below where the apex used to be. Not because of the still-visible-silicone, but because there is a large expanse of wall there.

 

[Woody3]

Below the apex it shall be then.

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[Feltwell]

I've only just started to pull the silicone off. It's steady going, but I'm getting there. Any tips on removing it?

The reason I can't drill the lintels is that they have survived 300+ years without being touch and I really don't want to be the first to "damage" them.

Lovely house. You're a wise man to not drill the lintels - I have one that has been badly damaged by past fixings, and another with a (cheap, naff) light fixed to it by a previous owner.

Getting the silicone off - remove as much as possible by physical means, but to remove the residue some silicone remover might do the job, but do try on a very small area first - most are meant for non-porous surfaces. Screwfix's cheap own brand one has worked well for me before.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsen...s&gclid=CLy2ovbR1scCFUI_GwodggkFtw&kpid=88987

 

[formerly known as]

off topic, but I would be tempted to reinstate the doorway and put a window where the left hand door is - assuming that the plan form would allow.

 

[CliffordPope]

I think putting something that focuses on an apex that isn't really there would look silly.
At present it looks odd because of history of the blocked up door, etc.
I think it needs a new focus that emphasises the single door, not drawing attention to a rather inelegant oddity.

Why not build an elegant porch in front of the new, single, door, and put the light over the apex of the porch?
That will emphasise the real doorway, and hide the rather disconcerting feature of the two lintels.