Products Description
When it comes to outdoor lighting for commercial properties, parking lots, and roadways, steel light poles stand as the industry standard for a good reason. A combination of exceptional durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, these steel light pole structures provide the foundation for uniform illumination systems across countless applications.
What Are AKS Lighting Supply's Steel Light Poles?
Strong, straight, and versatile, steel light poles are the most common type of light pole in commercial and industrial applications. Aside from wood light poles, steel poles are the least expensive compared to other materials such as concrete, aluminum, and fiberglass, making them an economical choice without compromising quality.
Their life can be significantly prolonged when using galvanized steel or other specialized finishes, such as stainless steel. Steel street light poles are an excellent choice if you're looking for an affordable, durable, and reliable option for your lighting projects.
The strength of steel light poles can be a key factor depending on their location. If your project is in an area that experiences severe weather, our square steel poles and round steel poles can be engineered to withstand winds of up to 160 mph, providing peace of mind in hurricane-prone regions. EPA wind ratings are an important number to consider when determining the right pole for your project.
Solving Common Lighting Challenges with AKS Lighting Supply's Steel Poles
Many commercial properties struggle with lighting infrastructure that fails prematurely due to environmental stress and poor material selection. This leads to frequent replacements, increasing maintenance costs, safety concerns, and disruption to business operations.
Steel light poles offer the perfect solution with exceptional durability. This wood pole alternative requires minimal maintenance throughout its extended lifespan. The superior strength-to-weight ratio provides outstanding performance in harsh conditions, ensuring:
Reduced long-term operational and replacement costs
Enhanced safety for vehicle and pedestrian traffic
Reliable performance, even in high wind locations
Aesthetic appeal that maintains its appearance over time
By choosing steel poles for your lighting infrastructure, you're investing in a solution that delivers reliable performance for decades rather than years. Our lighting professionals can engineer a lighting plan ahead of purchase that includes the recommended pole placement built into the plan. Our team provides exceptional product and project support.
AKS Lighting Supply's Steel Light Pole Features
Wide Variety of Sizes
Our selection includes heights ranging from 10 to 30 feet, suitable for various applications. The appropriate height for your project will depend on several factors:
The area you need to illuminate
Mounting height requirements
Local codes and regulations
Wind load factors in your location
Taller poles provide wider light coverage but require stronger structural support, while shorter poles may be more appropriate for pedestrian areas or decorative lighting applications. The efficiency of your lighting design often depends on selecting the optimal pole height for your specific application.
Available Shapes
When selecting steel light poles for your project, you'll typically choose between:
Square Steel Poles: Featuring clean, modern lines, square steel poles offer contemporary styling that complements updated architectural designs. They provide excellent strength and a distinctive appearance that works well in urban settings.
Round Steel Poles: With their classic cylindrical shape, round steel poles offer a timeless look that works in virtually any setting. The round design also provides natural benefits in terms of wind resistance.
Tapered Round Poles: These poles gradually decrease in diameter towards the top, enhancing both their aesthetic appeal and structural performance. The tapered design provides improved wind resistance and vibration control, making them ideal for taller installations and areas with significant wind exposure.
Many projects benefit from a combination of pole designs to achieve both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Our pole design experts can help you create a cohesive lighting plan that incorporates the right mix of pole types.
Installation Types
Installation is a critical factor when choosing steel light poles. There are two general ways that steel light poles are installed:
Anchor-Based Installation: This method costs more and is more time-consuming initially but offers several advantages:
Requires a concrete footing with anchor bolts, nuts, and washers
Provides superior stability in challenging conditions
Enables easier pole replacement if damage occurs
Offers better impact resistance
Creates a cleaner, more professional appearance
Allows for precise positioning and alignment
Direct Burial Installation: As the name implies, direct burial poles are inserted directly into the ground:
No concrete base or mounting hardware required
More economical and simpler to install
Requires solid soil base for stability
More challenging to replace if damaged
May be suitable for temporary installations or less critical applications
For most commercial and permanent installations, anchor-based mounting with quality anchor bolts provides the reliability and longevity that professional projects demand.
How Much Do AKS Lighting Supply's Steel Poles Weigh?
The weight of street light poles varies depending on their height, thickness, style, and material. Steel light poles generally weigh more than fiberglass or aluminum alternatives, providing greater stability in windy conditions. Taller and thicker light poles of the same material will naturally weigh more.
This weight consideration becomes important for:
Transportation logistics and how the product ships to your location
Installation equipment requirements
Foundation design specifications
Overall project planning
Advantages of AKS Lighting Supply's Steel Light Poles Over Other Materials
Steel vs. Wood Poles
Compared to wood light poles, square steel poles and round steel poles offer numerous advantages:
Much stronger structural integrity
Significantly longer lifespan
Better equipped to withstand high winds
Capacity to hold more light fixtures
Resistance to fire, infestation, and decay
Consistently straight and uniform appearance
More predictable structural performance
Lower lifetime maintenance requirements
If you need straight, reliable poles that will maintain their appearance and performance for decades, steel is clearly the superior choice for long-term functionality.
Round vs. Square: Making the Right Choice
When deciding between round and square steel poles, both shapes are designed to meet the functional requirements for supporting lighting fixtures. The decision often comes down to aesthetic preference and project design considerations.
Round steel poles do have the advantage of a cylindrical shape, which helps to reduce wind load on the structure. This can be particularly beneficial in areas with high wind exposure.
Consider these factors when choosing:
Existing architectural elements in the area
The style of lighting fixtures being mounted
Visual impact desired (modern vs. traditional)
Specific wind load requirements for your location
Compatibility with tenon adapters and mounting hardware
The combination of pole design with appropriate fixtures creates a complete lighting solution that balances efficiency, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.
Quality and Safety Standards: AASHTO Compliance
AASHTO stands for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. This organization provides standards and guidelines for various aspects of transportation infrastructure, including engineered steel light poles used in highway and transportation projects.
All steel light pole manufacturers must ensure adherence to these standards, which provides an expected level of safety and quality for customers. All of our light poles meet or exceed the AASHTO standards, ensuring you receive a product that delivers reliable performance and safety for your lighting project.
Choosing the Proper AKS Lighting Supply Light Pole for Your Project
Selecting the ideal steel light pole involves considering multiple factors:
Environmental conditions (wind, salt exposure, temperature variations)
Lighting requirements and fixture specifications
Aesthetic considerations and surrounding architecture
Installation site conditions and soil stability
Budget constraints and long-term value
Local building codes and permitting requirements
Our experienced lighting professionals can help you navigate these considerations to determine the most suitable pole configuration for your specific application. We maintain a comprehensive stock of various pole options to ensure quick shipping and project efficiency.
Next Steps: Get Your Free AKS Lighting Supply Pole Quote
Ready to find the perfect steel light pole solution for your project?
Our Product Specialists understand project requirements. Request a free pole quote today and receive consultative support from our team. Our experts will help you answer questions about determining the right height, shape, thickness, and installation method based on your unique requirements.
Contact us today to discuss your project needs and experience the difference that professional guidance can make in selecting the perfect combination of steel light poles and fixtures for your lighting infrastructure.