24Aug

Aluminum vs. Vinyl vs. Fiberglass Window: What’s Worth in Toronto?

Vinyl generally has the shortest lead times because it is widely produced in standard configurations. Fiberglass is mid-range, especially for factory-painted colors.

18Aug

5 Best Vinyl Window Replacement Companies in Toronto

Vinyl windows have become the go-to choice for homeowners in Toronto, thanks to their durability, energy efficiency, and low maintenance requirements. Whether you're upgrading your home for better insulation or enhancing

09Aug

Fiberglass Dutch Doors: Should You Upgrade in Toronto?

Thinking about changing your front door? A fiberglass Dutch door might have caught your eye. It’s not just a door. It’s part style statement, part smart functionality.

04Aug

Why Fiberglass Double Doors Outperform Wood and Steel for Toronto Homes

Thinking about replacing your front doors? Double doors are a bold upgrade. They look great, let in more light, and make moving big stuff easier. But the material you choose makes all the difference; especially here in Toronto.

03Aug

Top 5 Farmhouse Fiberglass Door Designs Homeowners Love in 2025

Thinking of giving your home that cozy, farmhouse charm? Let’s talk doors. Specifically, the fiberglass front doors in farmhouse style. You get the rustic look, without the rot, warping, or constant upkeep that comes with wood.

25Jul

The Best Fiberglass for Curb Appeal: Craftsman-Style Entry Doors

You want something that looks great, lasts long, and doesn’t stress you out with maintenance. You’re not alone. That’s exactly why more and more Toronto homeowners are choosing...

23Jul

Top Modern Fiberglass Door Ideas For Toronto Homes

Thinking about replacing your front door? Let’s talk fiberglass. It's one of the smartest upgrades you can make, especially if you're living in Toronto. Whether your current door is drafty, outdated, or just plain boring.

20Jul

Aluminum vs Fiberglass Doors: Which One Should You Choose?

Your front door does more than just open and close. It protects your home, adds curb appeal, and helps control indoor temperature. That’s why picking the right door material matters.

19Jul

Fiberglass vs Composite Doors: What Homeowners & Experts Are Saying

Choosing the right door can be confusing. You want something that looks good, lasts long, and keeps your home secure. Two of the most popular options today are fiberglass and composite doors.

12Jul

Wood vs Fiberglass Door For Entry Replacement

Replacing your front door is a big decision. Wood and fiberglass are two of the most popular materials for entry doors. Each has its own strengths in terms of style, durability, and maintenance. To help you choose the right one for your home, we have to go through a clear comparison.

10 Outdoor Lighting Tips for Choosing the Best Lights

Outdoor Lighting does more than brighten a path. It shapes how a home feels after sunset, helps reveal steps and entrances, and can reduce wasted energy when chosen carefully. The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2016 report, Energy Savings Potential of Solid-State Lighting in General Illumination Applications, estimated that outdoor lighting used about 1.3 quadrillion Btu of energy annually in the United States. That figure gives every fixture a practical role—and makes efficiency worth considering.

The best choice depends on the space. A narrow side path may need low, shielded lights, while a porch benefits from comfortable illumination near the door. Color temperature, beam direction, weather resistance, controls, and maintenance all matter. The International Energy Agency has reported that lighting accounts for roughly 15% of global electricity consumption; that figure covers lighting broadly, not outdoor fixtures alone. Still, it shows why small decisions can add up. Small choices matter.

This guide shares 10 Outdoor Lighting tips for comparing fixtures and planning a balanced setup. You’ll learn how to match brightness to the task, avoid harsh glare, and use timers or motion sensors thoughtfully. A mistake I still see is choosing a light by appearance alone. A beautiful fixture can cast a poor beam. Check the product specifications, consider the surface it will illuminate, and test the effect at night when possible. The right setup is rarely the brightest one.

Assess Outdoor Areas and Define Their Lighting Needs

Map each outdoor area after dusk and identify what people need to do there. A front step needs clear footing; a patio needs comfortable faces and visible table surfaces. A side path may need only low-level guidance. Note nearby bedroom windows, reflective walls, trees, and places where light could spill into the sky. Start with purpose. A 2016 study in Science Advances, “The New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness,” estimated that more than 80% of the world’s population lives under light-polluted skies. That finding is a useful reminder: brighter is not automatically better.

Tip: Walk each route at night. Mark dark steps, glare, and shadows on a simple sketch. Choose shielded fixtures aimed at the task, then use separate controls for areas with different schedules. Keep a little darkness.

Estimate coverage before choosing brightness. A wide beam may illuminate a patio evenly but cause glare near a window; a narrow beam may leave gaps along a path. Check the manufacturer’s beam-angle and lumen information against the actual mounting height. Then test the layout after installation. Plans are imperfect; a fixture that looks modest on paper can feel harsh at eye level. Adjust its angle or output before adding another light.

Choose Fixture Types for Each Outdoor Function

Match each fixture to the task, not just the look of the house. At a front door, a shielded wall light helps visitors find the lock without shining into their eyes. Along steps, low, downward-facing lights reveal edges and reduce harsh glare. Keep them modest. For seating areas, use softer, indirect light that makes faces visible without flattening the space. A broad floodlight may seem convenient, but it can spill onto neighboring windows and obscure details through glare.

For security, aim a shielded fixture toward entry points and pair it with a motion sensor or timer. This avoids leaving a bright light on all night. The 2016 World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness, published in Science Advances, estimated that more than 80% of the global population lived under light-polluted skies. That figure is a useful reminder: outdoor lighting affects more than one yard. Choose warm-colored lamps and direct light downward where possible. One easy-to-miss detail is the surface itself; pale paving reflects more light than dark stone, so the same fixture can feel unexpectedly bright. Check the effect after dark, then adjust. I would not assume the first placement is right.

Compare Brightness, Color Temperature, and Light Distribution

Start with the task, not the fixture’s wattage. Lumens indicate visible light output; watts indicate energy use. A narrow garden path may need less light than a wide patio. I test placement after dusk with a temporary light, then walk the route. Look for dark gaps and glare at eye level. Too bright can be uncomfortable. Mounting height and nearby pale walls also affect how much light reaches the ground.

Color temperature, measured in kelvins, changes the mood and appearance of outdoor spaces. Warm white light often feels softer near seating, while cooler light can make steps and work areas look clearer. Neither choice is automatically better. Compare samples against your paving and plants; green leaves can look oddly flat under some lights. Distribution matters just as much as brightness. A shielded downward beam can illuminate a path without shining into a neighbor’s window, while a wide beam may suit an open patio. Check the beam pattern on the actual surface, not only in a product diagram. I once focused too much on lumen numbers and missed an uneven pool of light beside a step. That was a useful mistake. Keep the light where it serves a purpose.

Check Weather Resistance, Energy Use, and Maintenance Needs

Outdoor lights face more than rain. Wind-driven water, dust, frost, and salty air can shorten their life. Check the fixture’s IP rating and choose one suited to its location. A covered porch needs less protection than an exposed garden path. IP65 fixtures resist dust and water jets, but they are not made for submersion. Check the maker’s installation guidance, too; a good rating cannot compensate for a poorly sealed cable entry.

Compare brightness in lumens rather than judging energy use by watts alone. Efficient LED fixtures can provide useful light with less electricity, while a timer or motion sensor can reduce hours of operation. Solar lights may work well in sunny spots, but shaded winter gardens often leave them dim. That trade-off is easy to overlook.

Plan for maintenance before buying. Look for accessible lenses, replaceable components, and fittings that can be cleaned without special tools. Leaves, insects, and mineral spots can cloud a lens, so wipe it gently and inspect seals for cracks each season.

Small chores. Still, they matter.

I’d avoid assuming that “weatherproof” means maintenance-free; even durable fixtures need occasional checks, and the right schedule depends on local weather.

Plan Fixture Placement, Controls, and Electrical Safety

Outdoor lighting works best when each fixture has a clear job. Mark paths, steps, doors, and seating areas at dusk before choosing locations. A low light near a stair edge can reveal the tread without shining into anyone’s eyes. Aim wall fixtures toward the ground, and check sightlines from inside nearby windows. Spacing every few feet is not a rule; trees, glare, and dark gaps change the plan. I’d revise a layout after one evening test. A spot that looks perfect by day may feel harsh at night.

Tips: Place path lights slightly beside the walking line, not directly in it. Use a shielded beam near neighbors. Choose fixtures rated for wet or damp locations when exposed to those conditions. Glare matters.

Put controls where they’re easy to reach. A timer or photosensor can reduce nightly switching, while dimming keeps a patio comfortable rather than glaring. Test sensors at dusk. Moving plants can trigger some sensors, which gets annoying quickly. For electrical safety, use outdoor-rated wiring and enclosures, protect applicable circuits with GFCI, and seal connections against moisture. Never bury or splice cable casually. Follow fixture instructions and local requirements, and ask a qualified electrician to handle new circuits or uncertain wiring. Turn power off at the breaker before replacing a fixture, then verify it is off with a tester.

Outdoor Lighting: Typical Lumen Output by Fixture

Use these approximate output ranges as a starting point when planning fixture placement. Actual needs depend on fixture optics, mounting height, and surrounding light; these values are guidance, not required standards.

Choose lower outputs for close-range path and step lighting, and aim brighter fixtures carefully to limit glare and light spilling into neighboring areas. Use outdoor-rated fixtures and follow local electrical codes; consult a qualified electrician for wiring.

Read Our 5-Star Testimonials

Amazing service and quality products. Installation was on time and on budget. Our windows look awesome. Edan gave us his full attention from the first call and every step of the way after. Highly recommend.

Adam Rivers

New windows and door for basement and new metal/glass back door for main house - even through my indecisiveness and the covid-19 challenges Ayal and his installers were patient with me and I am very happy with the look and quality of the install.

Geraint

It was a pleasure dealing with Jack and all Delco's stuff. The windows arrived on the date for which were promised. The quality of the service, product and workmanship were excellent. I would gladly recommend Delco to anyone need Windows and Doors

Ruven Y.

We're so happy with our new front door. Very high quality finish, beautiful window. Installation was impeccable and done very quickly. Hinge and 3-point lock mechanism fit perfectly and feel very solid. Very attentive customer service. Door really ups our curb appeal!

Jim Bird

I just had my front door replaced and cannot say enough good things about this company. From start to finish their professionalism is outstanding, and the workmanship excellent. Would highly recommend

Maureen Fuller

Delco supplies my windows and doors for renovations throughout the GTA. Edan and his staff are the best. Well priced quality products and personalized service. Highly recommended.

Noah Klar

We have 3 sliding doors and a double front door replaced. All work was done professionally but well qualified craftsman. Watching them work it was clear they new what they were doing and work is first class.

R. Pierce

We used Delco to replace our windows and patio door and door glass inserts. We are very happy with the quality of the windows and patio door and were very impressed with the installers as well who were very professional and clean. Thank you Nasho and George for your hard work and patience. Also, a big thank you to Ayal who always returned my calls and answered all my questions.

Sandra

Delco provided all the exterior doors for our new home build. Ayal was great and the company is very customer service oriented. The doors look beautiful, the hardware is high end and the install went very well. Overall we are very happy with the product and service.

Sarah

Ayal and Edan were great to work with. They provided extensive product knowledge and had a great selection in their showroom. The windows and doors changed the whole look of the house and gave a much needed modern yet classic update. Great quality and workmanship! Thank you!

Stephanie Lannaci

Both my wife and I could not have been happier with the product and service displayed by the owner and the installers. They had kept true to there word and the timelines. The process was catered to our schedule and was seamless.

Fabrizio Macieri

Had a great experience with Delco. They were professional and did a great job on time.

Joey Oliveira

Our experience with Delco Doors has been very good. We needed to replace out front door. Our old 6 feet Steel doors were removed and replaced with Delco 8 feet Fiberglass Doors. The installation went very smoothly, and the guys made sure that everything was fitting squarely and tight. They cleaned up after they were done and were very pleasant to work with. Would highly recommend them.

Angie Gandhi

A fantastic company to deal with from start to finish. They were professional, courteous and the project was completed in the timeframe agreed upon. Would highly recommend Delco.

Linda

I would recommend Delco Windows and Doors without any hesitation. The quality of the products is very good, the installation exceeded my expectations and the responsiveness and punctuality is impressive.

Serban Dinca

Very good and timely service. A pleasure to work with Edan Next time I need windows and doors I will definitely call them again

Adrian Nema

Recently ordered a custom window from Delco. We are extremely happy with the level of customer service - Elyse went out of her way to notify us when the window came in and came in to work on her day off so we could come pick up the window. If we need another window we will definitely come back to Delco!

Jonathon & Sheri Mcintosh

I would highly recommend this company, the final product was beyond my expectations, My new front door makes my house standout so happy thank you Delco Windows and doors. I will definitely use Delco Windows and doors again in the future thanks to Edan and the installers

Maria

Existing door replacement is a delicate project. I am very satisfied with job well done by Ayal Jack and his installer. Highly professional team, they know their business well, easy to deal with, very accommodating. He guided us step by step to select the best fit for our purpose.

Alfy

I would highly recommend this company. They were very easy to deal with, accommodating and professional. The final product was beyond my expectations. The products completely transformed the front of my house and for sure increased its value and curb appeal. Thanks!

Happy experience from start to finish. Thank you to Edan for going out of his way to meet us late one evening and his helpful consultation in the showroom especially thank you to the extremely professional, clean and friendly crew of installers. Everything was as promised, the men arrived on time, their work was immaculate and complete, their craftsmanship beyond reproach.

Esther Tobin

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