Learned the hard way that “weatherproof” doesn’t always mean Midwest-proof... those receipts come in handy.
Yeah, that “weatherproof” label is pretty optimistic sometimes. I’ve had a couple of “outdoor” bulbs die after one winter—guess they weren’t ready for February in Wisconsin. For most of the yard, I stick with smart switches and regular LEDs. If you want color, I’d say go for those string lights rated for outdoor use, but keep the receipts like you said. Swapping out a dead bulb on a ladder in March is no fun.
I hear you on the “weatherproof” stuff—nothing like watching your so-called outdoor lights give up as soon as the first ice storm hits. I’ve had way better luck with smart switches too, honestly. Less to replace when the bulbs inevitably fail, and I don’t have to climb up and down every time something goes out. Plus, my house is old enough that half the fixtures are a mystery anyway... keeping it simple just saves headaches.
my house is old enough that half the fixtures are a mystery anyway... keeping it simple just saves headaches.
Preach. I’ve been in crawlspaces where the wiring looks like spaghetti and nobody left a map. Here’s what’s worked for me:
- Smart switches = less gear to fail outside, especially when “weatherproof” is more like “wishful thinking.”
- If you’re dealing with those ancient fixtures, switches just sidestep the whole “will this bulb even fit?” drama.
- Fewer trips up the ladder is a win, unless you’re into accidental parkour.
Only downside: if you want color-changing disco lights out front, switches can’t do that. But for basic yard lighting? Way less hassle.
Had a rental once where the outdoor lights were wired through what looked like a mad scientist’s experiment—no two wires the same color, and half the junction boxes hidden behind shrubs. Tried smart bulbs at first, but between the weird sockets and the weather, I was swapping them out every few months. Switched to smart switches and honestly, it was way less of a headache. Still, I kinda miss being able to freak out the neighbors with rainbow lights on Halloween... but for most tenants, reliability wins out.
Yeah, I hear you on the smart bulbs outside—weather just eats them up, and those weird old fixtures never seem to fit right. I tried going the bulb route too, thinking it’d be cheaper in the long run, but ended up spending more replacing them. Smart switches are way less fussy, especially if you’re not trying to do a full-on light show every night. Still, part of me misses being able to set everything to purple just for fun... but honestly, I’ll take not having to climb a ladder every few months.
