Short answer: brass costs more at install and holds up better in Georgia humidity, because it does not rust and it ages gracefully. Aluminum costs less and can work well in covered or lightly exposed spots. We offer lifetime-brass fixture options for that reason. Fixtures start at $195 each, installed, on our price list. Which material is right depends on where the light goes and how long you want it to last.
Why Georgia is hard on fixtures
A landscape light lives outside twenty-four hours a day. It gets summer heat, thick humidity, heavy rain, the occasional hard freeze and the water from your sprinklers. Georgia clay soil holds moisture against the base of a fixture, and irrigation can spray the same light every morning. Metals that corrode quickly show it first in the ground contact and at the connection to the wire.
Brass versus aluminum
| Brass | Aluminum | |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion | Does not rust and develops a protective patina | Can pit or chalk, especially if the finish is scratched |
| Up-front cost | Higher | Lower |
| Weight and feel | Solid, heavy | Lighter |
| Best spots | In the ground, near sprinklers, wet beds, anywhere exposed | Covered areas, spots out of the spray |
| Looks over time | Warm color that deepens | Depends on the coating |
What we recommend
- Brass for most of the property. Pathways, flower beds and the front facade are exposed and visible. Pay for brass here.
- Aluminum only where it is protected. A fixture under an eave, out of the spray and out of the soil, can be aluminum without much risk.
- Never mix up fixtures near irrigation heads. If a sprinkler hits a light every morning, brass earns its price.
The cost of the cheaper choice
We have seen the same pattern many times. A cheaper fixture saves money on the first quote, then the finish chalks, the stem pits and the connection corrodes. Then you call someone to replace it, and the second visit cost more than the difference would have. A service call is a small cost on its own, with a minimum of $95, but fixtures that need one every few years add up. We would rather you pay once.
What else matters besides the metal
- The lens and the seal. Water getting into the fixture ruins it faster than corrosion does.
- The connection. A wire joint that is not sealed will fail no matter what the fixture is made of.
- LED versus older bulbs. Low-voltage LED costs a little more at install and much less to run.
What to ask any company
- What is the fixture made of, and where is it made to be used?
- Can I see the fixture in my hand before I sign?
- How are the wire connections sealed?
- Who do I call when one fails?
When to call us
Call when your existing lights have corroded, flickered or gone out, or when you are planning a new design and want fixtures that last. We offer a free on-site estimate, and a dusk demo lets you see the light before you commit. See landscape lighting design and our pricing page.
How to tell which fixtures you already have
Pick one up and look. Brass is heavy for its size and has a warm color, often with a greenish-brown patina where it has aged. Aluminum is light and usually coated or painted, so chipped paint or a white chalky film is a hint. If you are not sure, ask us to take a look at a visit, and we will tell you honestly whether your fixtures have years left or are near the end. We fix systems we did not install, so there is no pressure to replace what still works.
FAQ
Is brass better than aluminum for landscape lighting? For exposed spots in Georgia humidity, yes. Brass resists corrosion and lasts. Aluminum can work in protected spots.
How much does a landscape light fixture cost? From $195 per fixture, installed, on our price list.
Do you offer lifetime-brass fixtures? Yes, we offer lifetime-brass fixture options on our low-voltage LED designs.
Will my sprinklers damage my lights? Water alone does not, but constant spray on a poorly built fixture speeds up corrosion. Brass handles it far better.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026.