Canopy Lights vs Flood Lights: What’s the Difference?

When choosing the right lighting solution for commercial or industrial applications, it’s easy to get confused between canopy lights and flood lights. While both are popular for exterior illumination, they serve very different purposes. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between canopy lights and flood lights, helping you make an informed decision for your next lighting project.

What Are Canopy Lights?

Canopy lights are LED fixtures typically installed under overhangs, ceilings, or awnings. They’re designed to provide bright, even illumination in covered outdoor areas where safety and visibility are critical.

Common Applications:

• Gas stations

• Parking garages

• Building entrances

• Drive-throughs

• Loading docks

Key Features:

• Mounted flush or surface-mounted to ceilings

• Beam directed downward for focused lighting

• Low glare and uniform light distribution

• Weather-resistant and often vandal-proof

• Compact and discreet design

Canopy lights offer a clean, professional look while maximizing energy efficiency and coverage under fixed structures.

What Are Flood Lights?

Flood lights are powerful fixtures designed to illuminate large, open outdoor spaces. They’re usually mounted on walls, poles, or building exteriors and offer wide beam angles to cover expansive areas.

Common Applications:

• Parking lots

• Construction sites

• Sports fields

• Security lighting

• Building facades

Key Features:

• Adjustable direction and beam angles

• High lumen output with wide coverage

• Ideal for highlighting large objects or zones

• Available in various wattages and mounting options

• Suitable for motion sensor or dusk-to-dawn controls

Flood lights excel in scenarios where large-scale visibility and flexibility are required.

How to Choose the Right One?

When selecting between canopy lights and flood lights, consider the following:

✅ Structure Type – Do you have a canopy or overhang to mount fixtures? If yes, go with canopy lights.
✅ Lighting Coverage – Need to cover a wide open space? Flood lights are better suited.
✅ Design Aesthetics – Want a discreet and sleek appearance? Canopy lights blend in better.
✅ Installation Environment – Flood lights excel in open exposure, while canopy lights are better for sheltered setups.
✅ Use Case – For safety and task lighting in covered areas, choose canopy lights. For security or wide area lighting, use flood lights.

Conclusion

While both canopy lights and flood lights use high-efficiency LED technology, their applications and designs are quite distinct. Understanding the differences helps ensure that you get the best lighting results with optimal energy savings and durability.

Need help choosing the right fixture?
Explore CINOTON’s full range of Canopy Lights and Flood Lights or contact our lighting experts for a custom recommendation.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use flood lights under a canopy?

Technically yes, but flood lights are not designed for ceiling mounting. Canopy lights offer better safety, uniformity, and aesthetics for enclosed spaces.

2. Which is more energy-efficient: canopy or flood lights?

Both use LED technology and are energy-efficient, but canopy lights typically provide more focused light with fewer lumens needed, reducing power consumption in covered environments.

3. Are canopy lights suitable for outdoor use?

Yes. Most LED canopy lights are IP65 or higher rated, making them weatherproof and ideal for outdoor covered areas.

4. How high should I mount flood lights or canopy lights?

• Flood lights: Typically 15–30 feet, depending on area coverage needed

• Canopy lights: Usually 10–20 feet, mounted directly under a structure