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Lighting and light fixtures are wonderful ways to personalize your space. You can create enticing pools of illumination and warm, ambient shadows, or completely energize areas where clarity is paramount. No wonder so many interior designers rely on light as much as they do paint and furnishings.

Lighting as a design element is no longer restricted to dining rooms and living rooms. Design trends for lighting have evolved to include rooms such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. That’s why wet-rated and damp-rated light fixtures are so important. Wet-rated bathroom light fixtures, for example, ensure that lighting remains effective even in steamy conditions. Damp-rated light fixtures are for damp but less humid environments, such as basements.

Our guide helps you understand the key differences and the rooms where each type of lighting is best suited so that you can update your home interior designs with confidence.

Why Fixture Ratings Matter

Getting the wrong type of lighting can lead to numerous problems. These range from rust and corrosion of components to a complete breakdown of the entire unit. A failure to understand the type of environment in which you plan to use light fixtures can be disastrous.

When you choose stunning light fixtures, you want to know that they’re going to last. The impact they make on your home’s look and feel is negligible if you need to replace them regularly. Water seeping through seals or around light bulbs can cause short circuits and other electrical problems, which can lead to expensive repairs or create dangerous situations.

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The Basics: Dry vs. Damp vs. Wet Rated Fixtures

Let’s start by addressing the fundamentals: What do dry, damp, and wet really mean in terms of light fixtures?

Area Type	Moisture Level	Common Locations	Lighting Rating Needed	Key Notes
Dry Areas	Minimal moisture / very low humidity	Living rooms, bedrooms, walk-in closets	Dry-rated	Kitchens may qualify if well-ventilated and used infrequently for cooking
Dry or Damp Kitchens	Low to moderate humidity	Kitchens with regular cooking	Dry-rated or Damp-rated	Steam from cooking can increase humidity, especially with weak ventilation
Damp Areas	Moderate moisture / high humidity	Kitchens with daily cooking, areas outside showers	Damp-rated	Handles humidity and condensation but not direct water exposure
Wet Areas	Direct water exposure	Wet-room bathrooms, uncovered outdoor areas	Wet-rated	Fully sealed to withstand direct contact with water and resist corrosion

Kitchens can be considered either dry or damp areas depending on humidity levels which is influenced by factors like how often you cook, the amount of steam produced and the effectiveness of ventilation systems. If you have a low-powered extractor fan, you might need light fixtures rated for damp areas.

Where to Use Damp vs. Wet Rated Lights Indoors

Designing the lighting layout in your home combines creativity and know-how, particularly an understanding of which types of light fixtures work best in various rooms.

Damp-rated lights are ideal for:

• Main bathroom areas
• Laundry or utility rooms
• Basements or other rooms below ground level
• Kitchens
• Garages
• Entryways, e.g., boot rooms or mudrooms

Ask yourself if the light fixtures will be regularly exposed to moist air. If so, a damp-rated light fixture is ideal, as long as there’s minimal risk of direct water contact.

Wet-rated light fixtures, on the other hand, suit:

• Wet-room style bathrooms
• Bathrooms with lights close to or in the shower/tub area
• Rooms with indoor pools, spas, or hot tubs

Where there’s the slightest chance that the light could come into direct contact with water, opt for a wet-rated light fixture.

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Where to Use Damp vs. Wet Rated Lights Outdoors

There are very few areas outdoors where damp-rated light fixtures are suitable. Even the driest climate gets rain from time to time, which could put lights at risk of damage or even cause short circuits. After all, water is a great natural conductor of electricity.

Some potential outdoor spaces where a damp-rated light outdoors could be appropriate include:

• In a shed or a greenhouse
• On an enclosed patio
• On a covered porch

Conversely, wet-rated outdoor light fixtures are perfect for a range of outdoor uses. Use them for:

• Creating a soft ambience around pathways and grassy areas
• Illuminating cozy nooks or outdoor dining areas
• Layering brighter lights with a gentle glow around an outdoor hot tub to combine safety with a romantic setting
• Security lighting at the front or rear of the home, or around entryways
• Highlighting stunning garden fixtures, bedding plants, or gazebos and other garden structures

By choosing wet-rated light fixtures for outdoor lighting, you reduce the risk of damaged or corroded lights.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Selecting the right type of light fixture can be confusing if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. Some items may be marked as waterproof light fixtures, but upon investigation, the rating may actually only cover dampness, not full-wet exposure. Here are a few dos and don’ts to help you navigate the purchasing of damp- and wet-rated light fixtures.

Do:

• Carefully consider the environment you’re placing the light fixture in.
• Check for any moisture or humidity.
• Choose wet-rated lights for all uncovered outdoor areas.
• Check the small print to ensure that “waterproof” means wet-rated.
• Buy from trusted light fixture suppliers.
• Talk to an expert if in doubt.

Don’t:

• Focus on the lowest price only — a saving now could mean a hefty cost later if the moisture rating isn’t correct.
• Ignore user reviews and buy poorly rated light fixtures or bulbs.
• Ignore safety ratings and other marks that may indicate the moisture resistance of a bulb or light fixture.

It’s also possible that you might need a mix of wet- and damp-rated light fixtures in the same room or area. In the bathroom, for example, you might have a damp-rated bulb over the vanity or near a medicine cabinet. However, lights set into the tilework near the shower should be rated for wet environments to prevent them from breaking down.

Similarly, you could have wet-rated lights around the sink or stove in the kitchen, and damp-rated lights around the dining area or external doors.

Things to look out for on your wet- or damp-rated light fixture packaging:

• UL ratings: UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories and is a global standard for determining the wet or damp rating of lights.
• ETL certification: ETL stands for Electrical Testing Laboratories and is another standard issued by a company called Intertek.
• Manuals or instructions: If you don’t see these marks or certifications on the outer packaging, ask your supplier if you can see the instruction manual or sheet that comes with the light fixture. The certification may appear there.

When a light fixture or bulb doesn’t have marks or certifications to show it’s damp- or wet-rated, assume it isn’t. These lighting choices will be ideal for the dry, airy spaces in your home, so let your creativity run free in these rooms. In any area with moisture, always ensure you’ve carefully checked the rating and chosen a light fixture that will last for many years to come.

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When to Ask an Expert

If you’re unsure about the right types of light fixtures for your home, speak to an expert. At Capitol Lighting, we’re always happy to talk you through any aspect of lighting design and fixtures. We’ll discuss your interior styling goals and the way lighting can complement them by highlighting areas of your home or creating warmth and intimacy.

Our team also has the knowledge to help you choose the right light fixtures the first time. They’ll know whether you need damp- or wet-rated light fixtures and how to tell the difference when shopping.

Find lights that suit every part of your home and bring your vision to life. Discover a store near you, browse through our online catalog, or call a member of the team at 1.800.544.4846.