Bulkhead Lights | UK Guide | Marine, Industrial & Garage Lighting
Bulkhead lights are protected, weather-sealed fittings, originally made for ships and factories. Today they bring a robust, practical look to garages, entrances, coastal homes and industrial-style interiors.
Great Lighting supplies round and oval brass bulkheads made in Ireland by Mullan Lighting and in the EU by Navigator. This guide explains how to choose between them: the IP rating you need, brass versus plastic, which style suits where, and how to look after them.
Quick Answers: Bulkhead Lights
What are bulkhead lights? Protected lights, usually round or oval, with a glass or polycarbonate cover and often a cage, made for places that need a tough, weather-sealed fitting.
IP44, IP54 or IP65?
- IP44 and IP54 both cover rain and splashes from any direction, so they suit most outdoor walls, covered garages, sheds and utility rooms.
- IP65 is for places that may be hosed or are very exposed, and for bathrooms and wet areas where a higher rating is wanted.
- Read our IP44 or IP65 guide
Why brass?
- Solid brass weathers to a natural patina, and suits coastal and exposed positions.
- Gaskets, glass and bulbs can be replaced, so a brass bulkhead can be maintained rather than thrown away.
Where can I use them? Outdoors, around the house or garden or indoors, in kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms.
In this Guide
What Are Bulkhead Lights?
Bulkheads started on ships and in factories, where lights had to survive salt water, vibration, dust and knocks. The result was a fitting built for protection and serviceability first, with looks second. Modern bulkheads keep those practical features, with refined finishes suited to homes.
- Protective cover: a glass or polycarbonate cover, often with a cage guard, protects against knocks.
- Weather sealing: a gasket seals the cover to the body.
- Solid mounting: a substantial body and fixings.
- Serviceable: gaskets, glass and bulbs can be replaced.
Compared with a standard decorative outdoor light, a bulkhead is heavier-duty and built to cope with knocks as well as weather. Standard outdoor lights suit decorative positions where impact protection is not needed.
IP Ratings for Bulkhead Lights
The second number is the one that matters for water. A 4 means protected against splashing water from any direction, which covers rain. The first number is dust protection: 5 is dust protected, and 6 is dust-tight.
IP44 and IP54 Bulkhead Lights
IP44 and IP54 bulkheads cope with rain and splashes equally well, and IP54 has extra dust protection. They suit:
- outdoor walls, sheltered or not
- covered garages and workshops
- utility rooms and boiler rooms
- sheds and outbuildings
NICEIC’s advice for householders is that IP44 or higher is a good rule of thumb for outdoor lights.
IP65 Bulkhead Lights
IP65 bulkheads are dust-tight and protected against low-pressure water jets. They are worth choosing for:
- positions that may be hosed or have water directed at them
- very exposed walls, such as an open hillside or the coast, where you want extra margin
- wet rooms and bathrooms, where a higher rating is wanted
The IP rating does not measure build quality or corrosion resistance. A well-made brass IP54 bulkhead can outlast a cheap IP65 plastic one, so the material matters as much as the number.
Brass vs Plastic Bulkhead Lights
Plastic (polycarbonate) bulkheads are common and cost less to buy. Solid brass costs more but is built to be maintained.
| Solid brass | Plastic (polycarbonate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance over time | Develops a natural patina, or can be polished | Can yellow or become brittle with sun and age |
| Coastal use | Weathers rather than rusts | Salt and UV can age plastic faster |
| Repairable | Gaskets, glass and bulb holders can be replaced | Often replaced as a whole unit |
| Weight | Heavier, more substantial | Light |
| Price | Higher to buy | Lower to buy |
Solid brass is not the same as brass plated over another metal. Plating can wear through, particularly near the coast, and the metal underneath may then corrode. Unlacquered brass develops a patina, and lacquered brass keeps its polish for longer.
Bulkhead Light Styles
Marine and Nautical Bulkheads
Traditional ship-style bulkheads have a brass cage guard, a screw-on glass cover and a solid mounting flange. They suit coastal homes, boathouses, garden walls and period properties, as well as nautical interiors.
- Clear glass: traditional, with the most light.
- Frosted or opal glass: softens glare.
- Tinted glass: a warmer, vintage look.
These are styled on ship lights and made for houses and other buildings. If you need a light for use on a boat itself, check the specification with the manufacturer. Browse our brass bulkhead lights.
Merchant Flush Solid Brass Bulkhead Light
Palaemon North Solid Brass Bulkhead Light
Veria Outdoor Wall Light 26cm dia Rated IP44
Industrial and Factory-Style Bulkheads
Industrial bulkheads have protective cages, visible fixings and plain, functional shapes. Aged brass, matt black and raw metal finishes suit garages, workshops, lofts and cafƩs.
Contemporary Bulkheads
Modern bulkheads keep the protection but simplify the form: low-profile, flush-mounted designs in round, square or rectangular shapes. Some use integrated LEDs, which cannot be replaced separately.
Bulkhead Lights Outdoors
Front Doors, Garden Walls and Entrances
Bulkheads work well either side of a door, along a garden wall or on the wall of an outbuilding. Fit them at about 1.8 to 2.2 metres, 3 to 4 metres apart for continuous light along a boundary, and away from gates or narrow passages where they could be knocked. Warm white LED (2700 to 3000K) suits homes.
Garages and Workshops
IP54 is enough for a garage with a roof. Use one bulkhead per 8 to 10 square metres as a rough guide, and keep them clear of door swings and vehicle reversing. Neutral or daylight white (4000 to 5000K) is better for close work. In a cold or damp garage, a sealed fitting with a good gasket keeps dust and damp out. Condensation can still form inside any sealed light when temperatures swing, so check the gasket each year.
Coastal and Marine Homes
Material matters most by the sea. Solid brass or marine-grade aluminium cope well, and brass-plated, galvanised or plastic fittings are more likely to deteriorate. IP65 is a sensible choice for fully exposed walls, and a regular rinse with fresh water removes salt. See our brass outdoor lights.
Bulkhead Lights Indoors
Bulkheads suit industrial-style interiors and any room that needs a tough, easy-clean fitting.
- Utility rooms and boiler rooms: sealed against dust and condensation, and easy to wipe clean.
- Kitchens: over worktops, as an industrial alternative to spotlights.
- Bathrooms and shower rooms: choose an IP rating suited to the zone. See our bathroom zones guide.
- Lofts, hallways and corridors: tough lighting that suits exposed brick, steel and concrete.
Warm white (2700 to 3000K) softens the industrial look.
IP65 bulkhead in a shower room
Begawan Small Eye Lid Bulkhead Light 14 cm IP64
Choosing, Fitting and Looking After Bulkheads
Bulbs
Most bulkheads take a standard E27 LED bulb, so you can choose the brightness and colour you want. Some contemporary designs have integrated LEDs instead. Check the maximum size for the fitting, and choose a dimmable bulb if you might add a dimmer later. Warm white (2700 to 3000K) suits homes, and neutral or daylight white (4000K and above) suits garages and utility rooms.
Installation
- Have a qualified electrician fit new circuits, outdoor wiring and mains connections.
- Brass bulkheads are heavy, so check the wall can support them, and use suitable fixings in hollow walls.
- Seal the mounting holes, bring the cable in from below and use a cable gland that keeps the IP rating.
- Consider a standalone PIR sensor for security lighting.
Cleaning and Maintenance
- Regularly: wipe with a damp cloth. Near the coast, rinse with fresh water to remove salt.
- Annually: with the power off, clean the glass, check the gasket, mounting and connections.
- Brass: leave it to develop a patina, or polish for a bright finish. Lacquered brass needs only a damp cloth.
- Tip: a little Vaseline around the seal keeps the gasket supple.
Replace gaskets when they flatten, harden or crack, or if water gets in. Ask us for replacement gaskets for Mullan bulkheads. Some bulkheads come in a choice of finishes, including antique brass and antique silver (indoor use only), and can be coloured to order for an extra charge. Read more on maintaining outdoor lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need IP54 or IP65 bulkhead lights?
IP44 and IP54 cope with rain and splashes from any direction, so they suit most outdoor walls, covered garages and utility rooms. Choose IP65 where the light may be hosed, the position is very exposed, or a bathroom needs a higher rating. Material and build quality matter as much as the rating. See our IP44 or IP65 guide.
Why are my outdoor bulkheads corroding or failing in wet conditions?
An IP rating describes protection against water and dust, not corrosion, so a well-rated light can still corrode if the material is poor. Common causes are plated or galvanised finishes wearing through, salt air, a gasket that has flattened or cracked, and water getting in through the cable entry or mounting holes. Solid brass or marine-grade aluminium cope best. Seal the mounting holes, bring the cable in from below, and check the gasket each year.
Which bulkhead should I choose for a damp property or wet area?
For a wall that is regularly wet, or a damp outbuilding, IP65 is a sensible choice, in solid brass if it is by the coast. IP44 or IP54 is enough for rain and splashes. A new light will not cure damp, so deal with the cause as well. For bathrooms, choose a rating suited to the zone. See our bathroom zones guide.
What is the difference between bulkhead lights and standard outdoor lights?
Bulkheads are heavier-duty, with a protective cover or cage, a sealed construction and parts that can be replaced. Standard outdoor lights are designed more for looks and are often not built to take knocks.
Why are brass bulkhead lights more expensive than plastic ones?
Solid brass costs more than moulded plastic and takes more work to make. A brass bulkhead can also be maintained, with new gaskets, glass and bulbs, so it is built to be kept rather than replaced.
Can I use bulkhead lights indoors?
Yes. They suit utility rooms, kitchens, hallways, lofts and industrial-style interiors. In bathrooms, choose an IP rating suited to the zone. See our bathroom zones guide.
Are bulkhead lights suitable for coastal properties?
Yes, if the material is right. Solid brass or marine-grade aluminium cope with salt air. Brass-plated, galvanised and plastic fittings are more likely to deteriorate. Choose IP65 for fully exposed walls and rinse with fresh water regularly to remove salt.
Are your bulkhead lights guaranteed?
Yes, our brass bulkhead wall lights are all guaranteed for 5 years against manufacturing malfunctions.
Browse Bulkhead Lights
Choose the right IP rating, pick brass for lasting quality, and match the style to the position. Browse our range, or get in touch if you would like help choosing.
Related guides: Complete Outdoor Wall Lights Guide, IP44 or IP65 for Outdoor Lights and Outdoor Light Maintenance.