WAC Hardscape Lights: Sizes, Dimming & CCT Guide
Choosing WAC hardscape lights starts with three decisions: what surface you want to illuminate, how much room the mounting detail provides, and how you want to control the light. A fixture for a narrow stair detail can have different requirements from one beneath a long seat-wall cap. Use this guide to narrow your choices, then compare the available finishes in our WAC hardscape lights collection.
Start with the lighting effect
For a retaining wall, decide whether you want separate pools of light or a more continuous wash. At steps, look at the tread and the change in level, not just the illuminated riser. Beside a seat wall, evaluate the view from a chair: a fixture that looks discreet while standing may expose a bright source when you sit down.
Write down the purpose of each lighting location before choosing a quantity. This makes it easier to decide whether a longer fixture solves a coverage problem or simply adds light where you do not need it.
What WAC Quick Connect means
The standard WAC hardscape family uses a detachable LED light engine and a quick-release connection. Its serviceable design matters when the mounting bracket is incorporated beneath masonry. Think of the quick disconnect as a way to access the lighting component later, rather than a reason to skip planning the initial installation.
Compare the standard white-light models
| Family | Length | Rated power | Output | Controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7032 | 3 in. | 1.5W | 50 lm | Fixed CCT by SKU |
| 7062 | 6 in. | 4.5W | 110 lm | Onboard brightness and dual CCT |
| 7122 | 12 in. | 7W | 230 lm | Onboard brightness and dual CCT |
| 7182 | 18 in. | 8.5W | 350 lm | Onboard brightness and dual CCT |
Use this comparison to shortlist a size, then confirm the exact SKU and mounting dimensions. Overall output is not a spacing specification: the height above the surface, material color and viewing angle still affect the result.
Onboard dimming: balance the finished scene
The 7062, 7122 and 7182 have brightness adjustment at the fixture. This gives you a practical way to balance a light on pale stone with one on a darker feature. Establish the mounting position first, then evaluate the output after dark. Turning brightness down cannot correct a source that is directly visible from a seating position.
Selectable CCT: 2700K or 3000K
Those same three models let you select 2700K or 3000K at the fixture. Compare both settings against the actual wall and adjacent lighting before settling on one. A sample board viewed indoors will not show the whole nighttime scene. For a broader explanation, read our 2700K versus 3000K landscape lighting guide.
The important 3-inch exception
The 7032 does not have onboard brightness adjustment or CCT switching. Select its fixed 2700K or 3000K version when ordering. It is useful to put this choice on the purchase schedule explicitly, especially when several people are specifying or buying the fixtures.
Choose a finish by material as well as color
WAC’s BZ designation means bronze on aluminum; BBR means bronze on brass. They should not be treated as two names for the same construction. Availability differs by size, so check the complete part number before coordinating a project around a finish. For example, compare the listed 7122-27/30BBR with the size and finish actually needed.
When COLORSCAPING is the better fit
If you want colored scenes and coordinated fixture control, review WAC’s 7822 and 7872 COLORSCAPING options. They require a compatible COLORSCAPING smart transformer. Dual-CCT white-light fixtures and COLORSCAPING solve different control needs; make the system decision before buying the power equipment. Browse the COLORSCAPING collection for the wider system.
Check physical fit before ordering
Measure the available length, cap overhang and mounting surface. Photograph the side of the wall with a ruler in view, then compare it with the manufacturer drawing. Include corners, columns and changes in wall height in your plan. A long straight section and a short return may need different fixture sizes even when they share a finish.
Build a complete parts list
Standard Quick Connect fixtures need a compatible low-voltage transformer. WAC specifies using VA loads and considering voltage drop when sizing the system. Record every fixture on each cable run rather than choosing a transformer from the number of lights alone.
- Confirm the lighting family and full SKU.
- List mounting hardware and the planned cable route.
- Check transformer compatibility and capacity.
- Select appropriate landscape cable and waterproof connectors.
- Keep the model instructions with the project records.
Conclusion: buy for the wall and the service plan
The strongest specification combines a fixture that fits, an output level suited to the surface, and a clear way to service it. Shortlist the size and finish first, test the nighttime effect, then finalize the system components. Continue with our WAC hardscape placement and Quick Connect guide before the masonry work is finished.
Frequently asked questions
Do all WAC hardscape lights have onboard dimming?
No. In the standard Quick Connect range, the 6-, 12- and 18-inch models do; the 3-inch 7032 does not. Check the family and SKU rather than assuming every hardscape light has the same controls.
Does 27/30 mean I must buy two separate fixtures?
No. On the dual-CCT models, it identifies the two selectable white-light settings in one fixture. Decide which appearance works best with the installed surroundings.
Is a quick-disconnect LED the same as a replaceable bulb?
No. This is a serviceable light-engine design. Obtain the compatible WAC replacement for the exact model; do not order a generic landscape bulb on that assumption.
Can I choose a fixture from wall length alone?
No. Include mounting height, cap dimensions, wall texture and sightlines. Test the proposed layout before committing to the total quantity.
Where can I compare the available models?
Shop WAC hardscape lights at Atlantic Lighting to compare current sizes and finishes. Keep the full SKU on your project list so the controls and construction match your specification.
Manufacturer references: WAC 7032, WAC dual-CCT Quick Connect models, and WAC COLORSCAPING hardscape. Model-specific instructions govern installation.
- Atlantic Lighting