Katie Plumstead, Group Marketing Manager at Scolmore Group, looks at the opportunities presented by the continued growth of the outdoor living market.
As the outdoor living market continues to grow – driven by homeowners’ desire to extend usable space beyond the front door – demand is rising for electrical installations that are smarter, safer and built to withstand the elements. Wholesalers are uniquely placed to support electricians and specifiers in selecting smart outdoor power and lighting solutions that deliver long-term reliability. Products that offer proven durability, full compliance with current standards, and straightforward installation will be key drivers of trade sales this season.
At Scolmore Group, we remain committed to investing in product development and innovation to ensure our outdoor power products keep pace with these evolving market demands -delivering robust performance, installer-friendly design and assured compliance with the latest regulations.
Weatherproof power solutions
Outdoor installations present unique challenges – varying temperatures, moisture ingress and UV exposure all take their toll on electrical accessories. In this environment, specified products must deliver durability without compromise.
Power can be brought safely to sheds, office spaces, heating and hot tubs, with Click Scolmore’s Aquip66 range of IP66 rated, easy-to-install 10A and 20A weatherproof outdoor switches and sockets. The IP66-rated weatherproof socket and switch enclosures offer users a single fix installation. The range includes 1 and 2 gang switch enclosures which utilise MiniGrid single width switch modules which are rated at 10A, as well as 1 and 2 gang switches that utilise the GridPro range of modules and offer 20A switching options. A 13A switched fused connection unit is also available with a semi-transparent cover with neon power indicator, as well as with a standard cover.
Smart power
Beyond power outlets, the outdoor category increasingly intersects with connectivity and control. With power brought to the outdoor spaces, Scolmore’s Click Smart+ range will allow remote control of any electrical elements outside via the Click Smart+ app – switching on lighting, controlling an outdoor appliance or sprinklers, or the ability to switch off power for security.
The Click Smart+ range has been created to simplify and streamline connected home products – lighting controls, smart sockets, security cameras and sensors. It utilises Zigbee technology – one of the most widely adopted smart home communication protocols. Zigbee certified devices require the Click Smart+ Hub and communicate with each other using a mesh network. This creates multiple pathways for the connection of multiple smart home devices without compromising signal and communication range.
The right connection
Providing a strong, quick and reliable solution when working with cables and power outdoors is the Q-NECT IP66 Weatherproof Junction Box from Scolmore Group company Unicrimp. It can house four of the 3 Port Lever Connectors using a 360° detachable cradle, while the curved lid provides additional space for wires. The lid is secured with quarter-turn fasteners, and 10 membrane entry points allow for flexible cable access. Protection against moisture and dust is enhanced by self-sealing membranes, which enable faster and more secure cable entry while maintaining the IP66 rating.
Featuring semi-transparent lids, the junction boxes are available in black or anthracite grey. The anthracite grey option has been specifically designed to complement the Click Aquip66 weatherproof socket and switch enclosures, which are also available with matching semi-transparent lids.
Lighting the way
Lighting remains one of the core product sectors for wholesalers, and outdoor lighting has seen steady demand as gardens, patios, pathways and driveways become extensions of the living space. Ovia Lighting’s portfolio of innovative lighting solutions offers a comprehensive suite of outdoor-ready fittings designed for performance, efficiency and reliability.
Ovia’s Pathfinder LED floodlights are an ideal way to provide ambient lighting around the garden – lighting up walkways, driveways, as well as highlighting architectural features when used as an up-lighter. The range offers 40 options from 10W to 300W, with fittings up to 50W available in both black and white finishes and they come in a choice of Warm White or Cool White colour temperatures. The standard range can be used with remote sensors PIRs (indoor and outdoor) or Microwave sensors (indoor only) as well as with the Click Smart+ control system.
The Ovia portfolio also includes a comprehensive garden lighting range which sits within the company’s Amenity Lighting category. There are seven different wall light designs in the range including a variety of up and down LED wall lights and boxed wall lights, LED bollards and a spike light. The majority of the range is available in cool white 4000k and warm white 3000k colour options. With warm white a very popular choice for external garden lighting schemes due to its softer light source, Ovia is experiencing high demand for this collection.
A strong partnership
For electrical wholesalers, outdoor power represents a growing opportunity to add value through informed product selection and availability. Scolmore Group remains committed to supporting the electrical supply chain with products that deliver performance, safety and ease of use. By working closely with wholesalers and installers, we aim to ensure that outdoor power installations are built to withstand the elements – and the expectations of modern users.
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