UltraLEDs Guide to Festoon Lighting

UltraLEDs Guide to Festoon Lighting

If you’re hosting an outdoor event, or you’re hoping to add a touch of glamour or intimacy to your outdoor space, then Festoon lighting is the perfect solution. Rising in popularity, festoon lighting is a stunning decorative outdoor lighting option perfect for domestic, commercial and even outdoor applications. At Ultra LEDs we’re passionate about helping you make the right lighting choice, so we’re created this useful guide to help you find the perfect solution when choosing festoon lighting for your party, event display or commercial premises.

In this guide, we’ll cover the following:

• An Introduction to Festoon lighting
• Where you might use Festoon lighting
• Our Festoon Ranges
• Bulb options for our LED Festoons
• Points to consider when purchasing LED festoons

An Introduction to Festoon Lighting

What do you know about Festoon lighting? At UltraLEDs we believe it’s important that our customers understand as much about our products as possible, so they can choose the right lighting solutions for them and get it right – first time!

Festoon lights are traditionally large, globe-shaped bulbs that hang from garlands, for a substantial period, these lights were only available in the USA but now they’re widely available here in the UK and continue to grow in popularity year on year.

Earlier festoon lighting designs included the bulbs being made from glass and while this creates a pleasant and traditional atmosphere – think 1950s Americana - problems with overheating, safety concerns around children and their fragility means that making the switch to LED Festoon Lighting simply made sense.

Safer, stylish and much more energy-efficient than their glass counterparts, with the increase in demand, there becomes a need for simple solutions. We have recognised this need and have moved forward by stocking pre-selected LED festoon kits which include a Festoon String, Hooks, power cable and bulbs included to get you up and running by minimising the hassle of selecting the correct parts.

As well as these pre-selected kits we also offer individual festoon strings with the option of adding your desired bulbs with the aim of providing a build-your-own decorative outdoor lighting solution.

Where Might You Use Festoon Lighting?

Is Festoon lighting right for your needs? Festoon lighting is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of applications. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of creativity to your backyard, or you have an outdoor event coming up and you’re hoping to create a subtle and relaxing atmosphere for guests to enjoy, at UltraLEDs we pride ourselves on our Festoon lighting range that is perfect for multiple occasions, including:

• Weddings
• Birthday parties
• Outdoor events
• Cafes, bars and other outdoor seating areas
• Christmas and holiday-themed settings

Festoon lighting is the perfect addition to any outdoor space, whether you’re hosting a wedding and decorating with a mixture of lights and fabrics, or you want to increase the lighting in your backyard for the summer nights by hanging your Festoon lighting over your pergola, our range of Festoon lighting is ideal.

Our Festoon Ranges

Because we know that every application and individual taste is different, we’ve developed a wide range of Festoon Styles, Kits, Strings, Bulbs and Accessories that you can easily tailor to your requirements.

Our Festoons come in a variety of different ranges to suit different purposes, choosing a festoon string to suit your purpose is relatively straightforward. You simply need a string long enough to cover the area you are trying to decorate, and one that is made from the right materials for the job. You can find our most popular Festoon ranges below.

The Core Range

• Ideal for domestic and short term events such as weddings and parties.
• Available with 500mm, 750mm and 1000mm bulb spacing
• Choice of 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20 and 50 Metre lengths
• PVC encased cabling and bulb sockets. IP44 Rated
• White options are available for specific SKUs
• B22 Bulb Sockets

The Core-Shade Range

• Available with 750mm bulb spacing
• A single length of 15 metres
• PVC encased cabling and bulb sockets. IP44 Rated
• E27 Bulb Sockets

More About Our Core Range:

For the core range we currently stock LED Festoon string in a variation of sizes, being 7.5 Metre, 10 Metre, 15 Metre, 20 and 50 Metre lengths, meaning we have a festoon string length to suit any domestic occasion.

The Pro Range:

• Ideal for long-term installations in commercial spaces such as bars and restaurants.
• Available with 500mm Bulb Spacing
• 5, 10 and 20 Metre lengths are available
• Heavy Duty Rubber casing on cabling and bulb sockets for more robust abrasion-resistant properties when compared to the Core PVC Festoon strings.
• Quick-Lock B22 Bulbs Sockets

The Pro-Drop Range

• Ideal for long-term installations in commercial spaces such as bars and restaurants.
• Available with 500mm or 750mm Bulb Spacing
• 5 and 10 lengths are available
• Heavy Duty Rubber casing on cabling and bulb sockets for more robust abrasion-resistant properties compared to the Core PVC Festoon strings.
• Options of 100mm drop or 300/500mm alternating drop
• B22 Bulbs Sockets

Festoon Lengths Top Tip:

These festoon length options also come with different bulb spacing options, these are 500mm, 750mm and 1000mm spaces, which is to be considered if a certain spacing for the bulbs is required for your needs, the smaller the spacing, the denser the lighting will be when suspended.

Bulb Options

One of the positives of choosing Festoon bulbs is the variety of bulb colours available to you. You can even choose a variety of colour combinations to match your requirements if needed, including, Cool White, Warm White, Blue, Green, Red and more. All our LED Festoon bulbs are made of plastic, so they’re much safer than traditional glass options and are completely safe to use outdoors. Our bulb shapes are available in, G45 or a standard GLS shape with a B22 fitting.  Below you’ll find more information about our range of LED Festoon Bulbs:

GLS Festoon Bulb Options:

GLS1/CW	GLS Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, Cool White 6000K
GLS1/WW	GLS Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, Warm White 3000K
GLS1/RED	GLS Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, RED
GLS1/GREEN	GLS Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, GREEN
GLS1/BLUE	GLS Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, BLUE
GLS1/YELLOW	GLS Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, YELLOW
GLS1FIL/CW	Clear GLS Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 2W, Cool White 6000K
GLS1FIL/WW	Clear GLS Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 2W, Warm White 6000K

G45 Golf Ball Festoon Bulb Options:

GOLF1/CW	G45 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, Cool White 6000K
GOLF1/WW	G45 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, Warm White 3000K
GOLF1/RED	G45 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, RED
GOLF1/GREEN	G45 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, GREEN
GOLF1/BLUE	G45 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, BLUE
GOLF1/YELLOW	G45 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, YELLOW
GOLF1/RGB	G45 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 1W, RGB Colour Changing
GOLF2FIL/EW	G45 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 2W, Filament

ST14 Festoon Bulb Options:

CLFILFEST

WW S14 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Shatterproof, 2W, Warm White 3000K

ST64 Bulb Options:

ST642D/B22	ST64 Bulb Shape, B22 Fitting, Amber Tinted, 2W, Very Warm White 1700K
ST642D/E27	ST64 Bulb Shape, E27 Fitting, Amber Tinted, 2W, Very Warm White 1700K

What Points Should You Consider When Purchasing LED Festoons?

Undoubtedly, you’ll want the most out of your LED Festoons, however understanding the pros and cons of installing these kinds of lights, can help you make an informed decision, in terms of bulb shape, colour and how man you might need to cover your chosen area. Let’s take a closer look.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing Your Festoon Lighting

How Big Is The Area to Be Covered?

Always consider the area you are trying to cover, this will allow you to design and plan the correct length of string required. If you were to select a string that is far too long, it may require overlaps, which could potentially be dangerous if bulbs are too close together. Try and plan your space as accurately as possible to make the most of your LED Festoon lights. If you’re planning an event, get ahead and take some measurements before you make a purchase.

How Far Would You Like the Lighting to Drape?

Given the required length, take into consideration if you would like the lights to drape, for example, if you would like a draped effect it may be worth selecting a longer string to achieve the right look. Again, you should also keep health and safety in mind here, especially if you’re hosting curious young children or if partygoers are likely to consume alcohol!  

How Will Bulb Spacing Affect the Installation of Your Festoon String?

Spacing is an important aspect of designing your Festoon lighting, and once the length has been considered, it’s also worth selecting adequate bulb spacing as the smaller spacing will add to the drape as it will have more weight from the bulbs, helping you create the desired look. On the subject of weight, it is important to make sure the areas the strings are to be suspended from is sturdy and can take the weight of the festoon string when suspended. This is to avoid any instances of the festoon string falling. We’ve created a helpful diagram to show you how different bulb spacing can help you achieve your desired look.

Can Your Festoon String Be Powered From a Safe, Dry Power Source?

When it comes to outdoor lighting, safety is key and while the festoon display may be weatherproof, the power source may not be. For example, if you are using an extension lead, this must be housed in a safe dry environment and not outside with the festoons where exposure to rain may occur. You should also ensure that the power source is away from children as well as potential spillages!

In Conclusion

At UltraLEDs we take pride in offering a wide range of lighting solutions for a variety of indoor and outdoor applications. Our range of LED Festoon lighting is designed with style and practicality in mind, helping you create your desired look at atmosphere with ease. If you have more questions about our LED Festoon lighting range, reach out to us today.