Get 12% OFF Automatically When You Spend $2,000 or More No Code Required
Get 12% OFF Automatically When You Spend $2,000 or More No Code Required

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $1K

EXPERT LIGHTING ADVICE

VALUE ENGINEERED QUOTES

ROI ANALYSIS AND DESIGN SUPPORT

Aluminum Light Poles

Products List

Sort By:

Display Type:
Filters
  • Product
  • Qty in Cart
  • Quantity
  • Price
  • Subtotal
  • Total: items /

Adding your products to cart

View Cart Continue Shopping

Aluminum Light Poles: Start with EPA and Wind Zone

An aluminum light pole is selected by engineering, not by height alone. The controlling number is EPA, effective projected area: the wind-catching surface of everything mounted on the pole. Add the EPA of each fixture and bracket, then confirm the total is at or below the pole's rated EPA for your site's design wind speed. Worked example: two shoebox area lights at 1.0 sq ft each on a twin bullhorn at 0.6 sq ft totals 2.6 sq ft. A 25 ft round tapered aluminum pole might carry 6 sq ft at 90 mph but only 2 sq ft at 130 mph, so the same pole that passes in Atlanta fails in coastal Florida, where the fix is a heavier wall gauge or a shorter pole.

The ranges below are representative of standard round tapered aluminum poles. Ratings vary by manufacturer, wall thickness, and base detail, so always verify the final selection against the specific pole's spec sheet, which we will pull for you on request.

Pole HeightTypical WallEPA at 90 mphEPA at 110 mphEPA at 130 mph
20 ft0.125 in8 to 11 sq ft4 to 6 sq ft2 to 3 sq ft
25 ft0.156 in6 to 9 sq ft3 to 5 sq ft1.5 to 3 sq ft
30 ft0.188 in5 to 8 sq ft2.5 to 4 sq ft1 to 2 sq ft

Florida projects deserve a specific callout, since coastal counties carry design wind speeds of 150 mph and higher under the Florida Building Code. At those speeds the workable choices narrow to heavy-gauge poles at moderate heights with low-EPA fixtures; send us the county and we will match a rated pole rather than guessing from a generic chart.

Aluminum vs Steel: the Decision Matrix

FactorAluminumSteel
CorrosionNaturally corrosion resistant; no coating required to survive weatherDepends on galvanizing or paint; coastal salt air attacks any coating breach
WeightLight; two installers and a lift handle most heightsRoughly double the weight; larger equipment on site
Coastal and salt airThe default choice near the coast and around irrigationNeeds upgraded coating systems and inspection over its life
EPA capacity per dollarLower; high-EPA, high-mast work favors steelHigher; carries bigger fixture arrays at height
Lifetime costHigher upfront, minimal upkeepLower upfront, periodic coating maintenance

The pattern that falls out of the matrix: choose aluminum for coastal sites, parking lots, campuses, and any project at 30 ft and under where handling and corrosion dominate; step to Steel Light Poles when tall poles must carry large multi-fixture arrays, and consider Fiberglass Light Poles where breakaway performance or dielectric properties drive the spec.

Base Styles: Anchor, Direct Burial, and Hinged

Anchor-base poles bolt to a poured concrete foundation over an anchor bolt cage, the standard for commercial parking lots because a damaged pole swaps without new foundation work; poles ship with a welded base plate, hand-hole, and anchor bolt template. Direct-burial poles embed 10 percent of height plus 2 ft into the ground, trading foundation cost for harder replacement. Hinged-base poles fold down for fixture service at grade, worth specifying where bucket truck access is impractical, such as fenced yards and interior courtyards.

Finishing the Pole Package

Standard light poles in this aluminum family come in round and square profiles, straight and tapered, in mill, bronze, black, and dark green powder coat finishes. Tops are drilled for fixtures or fitted with tenons; bullhorns, arms, and vibration dampers are in Light Pole Accessories. Pair poles with Area Lights and Shoebox Fixtures for parking lots, or with cobrahead fixtures from Street Lights and Cobraheads when the spec calls for a street light pole profile. The full material lineup is under Light Poles.

Frequently Asked Questions

EPA, effective projected area, is the wind-catching area of the fixtures and brackets mounted on a pole, measured in square feet. Every pole is rated for a maximum EPA at a given wind speed. Add the EPA of everything going on the pole and confirm the total is at or below the pole's rating for your site's design wind speed.

Design wind speeds come from the building code wind maps, ASCE 7 in most of the country and the Florida Building Code in Florida. Inland sites commonly design to 90 to 115 mph, while coastal Florida counties run 150 mph and higher. Your local jurisdiction or engineer of record confirms the number; pole ratings must meet it.

Yes, aluminum is the default coastal choice because it resists salt-air corrosion without depending on a coating. Steel poles near the coast rely on galvanizing or paint and corrode at any breach. The tradeoff is wind capacity: coastal wind speeds also demand heavier gauge aluminum or shorter heights, so EPA math still governs.

An anchor-base pole bolts to a concrete foundation over an anchor bolt cage, which makes replacement straightforward and is standard for commercial sites. A direct-burial pole is embedded in the ground, typically 10 percent of its height plus 2 feet, saving foundation cost but making replacement and re-leveling harder.

Anchor-base poles typically ship with a welded base plate, hand-hole with cover, and an anchor bolt template; anchor bolt kits are ordered with the pole or supplied separately depending on the manufacturer. Confirm bolt circle and projection against the template before pouring the foundation.

Most commercial parking lots use 20 to 30 foot poles. Lower heights need tighter pole spacing but smaller fixtures; taller poles cover more area per pole but raise EPA demands and equipment costs. Municipal and roadway work runs taller. Photometric layout, not habit, should set the height and spacing.

At 25 feet with one or two shoebox fixtures, aluminum usually wins: lighter to set, corrosion resistant, and rated for typical inland wind zones. Choose steel when the pole must carry a large multi-head array, when EPA demands exceed aluminum ratings at your wind speed, or when upfront budget rules and the site is inland.