Outdoor Lighting Adds Curb Appeal

When asked about the type of outdoor lighting around their home, most people reply that the standard front and rear porch lights are all they have. These are usually the lights required by local building codes and all that most builders install. While these lights are utilized based solely on security and are definitely a great idea, there are so many other uses for outdoor lighting. Homeowners, justly so, spend thousands of dollars each year for landscaping around their property. However, when darkness falls, that beautiful and costly landscaping sits unseen in the darkness of early evening.

In order to see the change that can be made in your property through the use of outside lights, plan a trip around some of the nicer neighborhoods in your area early one evening. While on this leisurely drive you are sure to notice the difference in the overall appearance of properties with professionally lighted landscapes when compared to residences without outdoor lighting. After your sightseeing trip about town, I feel confident that you will be inspired to develop your own plan for enhancing the nighttime appearance of your residence.

As you noticed, there are countless ways to light your property and countless styles of outside lights you can use in which to do it. Due to these facts, I recommend you hire a professional landscape lighting designer to help you develop a plan specifically for your needs. The designer will be aware of any new outdoor lighting for curb appeal techniques that you may not have noticed while on your excursion and will know the type of lighting that will work best for your property.

J du J Sierra Craftsman 18" High Outdoor Post Mount

While you may find it easy to decide what you would like to light, the type outside lights you will use to do it is another matter all together. The choice you make will depend on site considerations specific to your property as well as the effect you are attempting to achieve. The landscape lighting designer will visit your home, take pictures and sketch the layout of your property and its features. The designer will then develop a plan utilizing some or all of the fixture types mentioned below.

Up lighting usually consists of the floodlight or spotlight type and the fixtures are placed at ground level and point upward to highlight either a specimen tree or a special architectural detail.

Down lighting again will utilize floodlights or spotlights to highlight a special area and normally attempts to simulate natural light.

Path lights do just what it sounds like they would do. They are installed slightly above ground and spread light across paths and walkways. These outside lights will assist your guests and other visitors in safely negotiating areas that could be trip hazards if not properly lighted. These lights will help you prevent that lawsuit that is waiting to happen if someone were to be injured by tripping and falling on a dark sidewalk.

Back lights are placed behind objects and cast a shadow that provides a silhouette for a dramatic effect. Again these fixtures are generally floodlights or spotlights.

Special lighting consists of torch lights, string lights, post lights and other various type outside lights that usually provide low level ambient lighting to an area.

Sea Gull Lighting 9226-12 Single-Light Outdoor Path Fixture with Clear Glass, Black

Once the plan and design phase is complete it is time to consider installation. While there are DIY kits available for simple installations, a comprehensive outside lighting plan for your property will likely exceed your skill set unless you are an extremely advanced do-it-yourselfer. Here again, I recommend utilizing a professional for the installation. They will not only have the knowledge needed for such a project but will also have access to the necessary equipment and personnel.

Now that you have all the preliminary legwork done, it is time to sit back and watch the magical transformation of your property take place. Once the final light bulb is screwed in and the outside lights are burning on the first night following project completion, you will realize that you have made one of the best investments you could make in the curb appeal of your property. Not to mention the fact that you will be the envy of all your neighbors whose homes lack that additional outdoor lighting are lost in the darkness of a long winter night.

Solar Security Outdoor Lighting

My wife and I live in a rural area and our home is somewhat secluded. The home was built in mid 1980 and has a carport instead of a garage. My wife is heavily involved in athletic activities at our son's school and on occasion, arrives home alone well after dark. She was always concerned about the lack of lighting in the carport on these occasions so I set out on a mission to put her mind at ease at least on this issue. The solution turned out to be a solar powered security outdoor lighting fixture. However, this was not the first idea for a solution.

My first thought was to add a motion detector to the existing light fixture in the carport. But, despite my best efforts, I was unable to locate one that would work with the overhead light fixture that we presently have. My next thought was to replace the existing light fixture with a new one equipped with a motion detector. I struck out again due to the inability to locate an overhead light fixture with motion detection. The only thing I could think of was to purchase a hard-wired wall mount fixture and have it mounted on a post in the carport. While my wife's safety is most definitely an item in which no value can be placed and no expense spared, I still felt like there must be a less costly solution. That's when I came across a solar security lighting fixture and did the research and installation following the steps outlined below.

Determine the best location to mount a fixture that will provide adequate lighting for your area of need. The location you choose may limit your choice of fixtures to a certain type. This is why it is best to determine the mounting location first.

Research the different solar powered outdoor lighting fixtures that are available. These fixtures come in a variety of light bulb types such as incandescent spot and flood lights, halogen, and LED. I chose the LED type because according to the reviews I read, the lights seem to last longer and shine brighter. The LED fixtures are a little more costly so your budget could be affected by this choice.

Determine if you will need a fixture that requires remote mounting of the solar cell. With most fixtures, the solar cell must be able to receive direct sunlight for at least six hours each day to provide the maximum charge to the battery system. A fixture with a remote mounted solar cell allows the light fixture to be mounted at a location that receives no sunlight and allows the solar cell to be mounted in direct sunlight up to approximately 15 feet away depending on the fixture.

Purchase and mount the fixture at the desired location. Allow the fixture to fully charge the battery system. Most solar powered outdoor lighting fixtures require the battery pack to be charged for 3 to 4 complete cycles before using the light. Once the light is fully charged, wait for darkness and adjust the light to shine directly on the area of need.

With the development of solar security lighting there is no limit to where lighting can easily be installed. By following the steps above, you can provide a more safe and secure property for you and your family.

Patio Lights for Enjoying the Outdoors

There is a feeling you get sitting on a well designed patio enjoying one of your favorite cool beverages that just can't be easily matched. However, for many, as the day draws to a close, so does the opportunity to enjoy that patio that you worked so hard to get just right. So what is the solution to this dilemma? Patio lights placed with as much care as was taken in the original design of the patio.

Moonrays 91249 Solar Powered Plastic Post Cap Lamp Light, Black

In addition to the added time you can now spend on your patio, installing patio lights provides additional benefits that may not be immediately apparent. They can also provide additional security around your property. Many police departments believe that low levels of lighting on and around your property are a great deterrent to intruders. When confronted with a property with no place to hide in the shadows, most burglars will bypass a residence in favor of one not as well lit. Along with added security, outdoor lighting can make your property safer for your guests and other visitors. By lighting trip hazards around your residence, you reduce the risk of someone becoming injured, thus, eliminating what could be a devastating and unnecessary lawsuit. In today's litigious society, anything you do to prevent accidents around the home is a worthwhile investment. Now that you have decided to light the area on and around your patio, let's determine exactly where the patio lights should be placed.

Patio umbrella lights outdoor electric garden party lighting

Survey the different parts of your patio and the likely uses in each area. This will assist you in determining the types of patio lights you will want to use as well as their placement. Always light steps and/or paths that lead to your patio. This is that prime area I was talking about where lawsuits can be prevented with the use of patio lights. Provide dimmer patio lights in seating areas and other places where your guests are likely to just relax and enjoy each others conversation. Install brighter and more intense patio lights in functional areas such as the grill or that nice little niche where you like to sit and read.

Royce Lighting RT05133/3-23G Marrakech 3-Light Table Torchiere, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Ribbed Violet Glass

Keep in mind when installing patio lights that more is not always better. Remember, you are not going to land aircraft on your patio, so keep the lighting low key and only provide brighter lighting in the functional areas as needed.

In addition to lighting, consider other items that can help you enjoy your patio more, such as propane patio heaters. A heater can help you enjoy your patio long into the cool weather season thus allowing you to utilize that patio for many additional days each year.