Replacing an Exterior Light Box and Installing a New Wall Lantern on a 1960s Phoenix Home
An outdoor light looks simple from the street, but the part that matters most is hidden behind it. Gideon Electric recently replaced the light box on a 1960s block home in Phoenix and installed a brand new exterior wall lantern. Here is what that job involves and what to look for when you pick an outdoor fixture.
A Real Job: A New Light Box and Wall Lantern in Phoenix
The home is a 1960s block house in Phoenix. The old light box was set into the wall beside a door, and our crew replaced it before hanging anything new. Once the box was in, we installed a new small exterior wall lantern on it.
Homes from this era were built before today’s outdoor lighting products and many of today’s code rules. Swapping the fixture alone would have left the oldest part of the circuit in place, so the box was the first thing we dealt with.
Why the Box Matters as Much as the Fixture
The box is what holds the fixture to the wall and keeps the wire connections protected. On a block wall that box sits in a hole cut into the masonry, and it faces heat, sun, rain and dust for as long as it is there.
A fixture is only as secure and as weather-tight as the box behind it. That is why we look at the box first, and why replacing it is often the right call on an older home.
- Secure mounting. The box has to hold the fixture firmly against the wall, with no movement when it is touched.
- A sealed fit. Gaps around an outdoor box let water and insects in. The fixture and box should seal to the wall surface.
- Sound wiring inside. Connections should be made up cleanly, with the wire in good condition and nothing loose in the box.
How to Choose an Outdoor Wall Lantern
Look for a fixture made for outdoor use, and check the box or label for its rating. A light that sits under a covered porch needs different protection than one fully exposed to rain, so ask which location rating the fixture carries.
Size and finish matter too. A small lantern beside a door looks right at that scale, while a larger one suits a bigger wall. Think about the light itself as well. Warm white bulbs feel soft and welcoming, while cooler white bulbs read brighter and clearer. So how do you like your exterior lighting?
Why This Is Not a Good DIY Swap
Swapping a light box means opening a wall, working with live circuits and making connections that have to hold up outdoors for years. On an older home you may also find wiring that does not match what is on the box instructions.
A licensed electrician can check the wiring, set the box properly in the masonry and test the light before leaving. If your outdoor light flickers, hangs loose or has a cracked, rusty or damaged box behind it, it is worth having looked at.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace just the fixture and keep the old box?
Does an exterior light fixture need to be a special type?
Can I install an outdoor wall light myself?
Does Gideon Electric install outdoor lighting in Phoenix?
Need an Outdoor Light Installed or Replaced?
Gideon Electric installs and replaces exterior lighting for Phoenix homes. Call us or request service online and we will tell you what your wall, your wiring and your fixture need.
