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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Minimize Voltage Drop in Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting

One sure fire way to add value to your home is to enhance the curb appeal of your property. While there are several ways the average homeowner can improve the overall beauty of their property, a cost effective and simple way is to install low voltage outdoor lighting. This project provides several enhancements by putting into action one well thought out plan.

In addition to the added dramatic effect that will distinguish your home from others without lighting, low voltage lighting can light paths, steps and walkways which will help your visitors safely navigate these obstacles at night. In today's litigious society, anything you do to prevent an accident is worth the effort and money. This type landscape lighting also provides security for your property which will cause intruders to pass when it comes to thoughts of entering your home.

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Many homeowners choose to install their low voltage outdoor lighting system themselves without the aid of a qualified electrician. This is definitely a doable DIY project for the homeowner as these systems are safe and easily installed. As long as there is access to a 110 volt receptacle near the area, you are good to go with the installation. However, some installations done by inexperienced homeowners can operate improperly due to voltage drop. The further away a fixture is from the transformer, the lower the voltage. This voltage drop can cause lights furthest from the transformer to appear dimmer than others. In order to minimize this voltage drop and ensure your achiever the look you desire, consider the following when installing your system.

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Determine the total wattage of all lamps powered by a single transformer, than install a transformer with a higher wattage output than the total wattage of all lamps.
Use multiple transformers if you are unable to provide a single transformer with sufficient wattage output.
Use heavier gauge cable. The lower the number on the wire, the higher the gauge. For example, 8 gauge cable is heavier than 10 gauge cable.
Install lower wattage bulbs in some fixtures. You may actually want different levels of brightness to enhance the look. The key is to control the effect yourself.
Consider shorter cable lengths. However, this may cause you to alter your plan and prevent you from achieving the overall goal of your plan.

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When planning your low voltage lighting system, be sure the 110 volt receptacle you utilize is a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. Also, the addition of a weatherproof cover will help keep out any moisture. A good plan and some basic understanding of low voltage outdoor lighting and wattage should allow you to install a landscape lighting system that will enhance the beauty of your property and provide enjoyment for many years to co

Landscape Lighting Shows off Those Plants

It's beyond dispute that today's residential architecture is a true beauty to behold. Considering this fact, it would be a disgrace to not show off that beauty once night falls. That's why many homeowners enhance the curb appeal of their property with well planned landscape lighting. In addition to the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the lighting, it also makes your guests safer around unfamiliar landscape features such as pools, spas, decks and tiered walkways. Thus, providing you with peace of mind and in our litigious society, less liability.

There are many inexpensive ways to utilize landscape lighting that will add style and charm to to your property. Unfortunately, there are just as many ways for you to do a less than stellar job in the design phase of the project. If it starts bad, I assure you it will end bad. So, I suggest you consider a landscape designer for the overall development of your landscape or garden lighting plan. Once you have your plan, then you can decide if you would like to perform the installation yourself. DIY installation is definitely doable if you utilize a low voltage system. If you are using any regular high voltage lights in your design these will be best left to a professional to install.

While I recommend using a landscape designer, you should also familiarize yourself with the type lighting available and have some ideas of what you would like to see on your property when you have your initial meeting with the designer. The best way to start is to take a good flashlight and hit the yard after dark and try out some different effects. You won't achieve perfection with this method but you can see what some of the individual effect the lights will display.

There are some different types of basic lighting effects that you can achieve.

- Uplighting: Lights are aimed upward to accent trees, statues or wall textures.
- Downlighting: Fixtures are mounted high and aimed downward to cast broad illumination over wide areas for entertaining and also security.
- Spotlighting: Lights focus a narrow beam on small shrubs, statues, flowers or other focal points in your landscaping.
- Crosslighting: Utilizing two or more fixtures from different directions to reveal a three-dimensional form for a striking perspective.

If you are using high voltage electric fixtures as part of your landscape lighting, consider colored bulbs for the different holiday seasons. Pastel colors in the spring for Easter and reds and greens at Christmas time provide some fun, easy decorating ideas.

Finally, use lighting controls such as timers and photocells to turn your landscape lighting on and off automatically. Keep in mind that there is little advantage to having all the lights stay on all night. Few people will see your property in the wee hours of the morning. Have a few low level lights stay on all night for security. Any more is just a waste of energy and a source for higher utility bills.

Save with Solar Outdoor Lighting

Solar outdoor lighting is an inexpensive way to add charm and style to your property. I know what you are thinking. These solar powered things just do not do the job. They put out dim light that lasts little time, and they last very little time before needing replacement. Well, that used to be true. However, today's solar outdoor lighting systems use LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs and utilize nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal-hydride batteries for energy storage. The LED light bulbs last much longer (sometimes for the life of the fixture) and burn brighter than there incandescent counterparts. Also, the nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride batteries provide more power for longer periods of time.

The solar outdoor lighting in use today will generally store enough energy to burn for 8 to 12 hours depending on their location and the time of the year. Obviously, the key factor for any solar application is that the solar cell used to charge the battery be in a place where it will receive sunlight.
If the lights are placed in shaded areas or other places where they do not receive full sun, the burning time will be reduced proportionately. However, when properly placed, solar lights provide ease of installation and portability that their wired cousins just can't provide.

Some other advantages of solar outdoor lighting are that they can be installed without disturbing your present landscape; provide security even in remote areas of your property; reduce liability by illuminating a walkway or stairs, thus helping to prevent trips and falls in the dark; and one nice additional benefit is they save money because outdoor solar lighting costs nothing to operate.

When planning the purchase of solar outdoor lighting, keep the following things in mind. Ensure that replacement batteries and bulbs are available in case of failure. Some cheaper models can't be replaced, and must be disposed of when a problem occurs. If your yard has many trees or does not receive a lot of sunlight because of surrounding buildings, solar lights may not be right for you. For best results, replace batteries periodically and clean the solar cell of occasional dust and debris. Some manufacturers of these lights allow for the change of light bulbs so you can coordinate them with decorative colored bulbs for Christmas or other special events.

Don't be afraid to experiment with the placement of these lights. If you do not like the effect, they can easily be moved to another area. By doing a little early research and being attentive to the proper placement for the most available sunlight, you will have a solar outdoor lighting system that will last for many years to come, as well as, enhancing the beauty and enjoyment of your property.

Security with Outdoor Lighting

Don't you wish that all that time and money you spent enhancing the curb appeal of your home did not go to waste after dark. Well worry no longer, you can solve this problem utilizing outdoor lighting that can enhance the overall look and appeal of the architecture of your home and your property as a whole. In addition to creating an elegant and beautiful effect, carefully placed outdoor lighting can increase the property value of your home as well.

But before buying any lighting it is best to develop a plan that will best create the effect that you desire. Things to consider when planning include, but are not limited to, areas such as walkways that assist people in finding the entrances to your home, stairways to eliminate any tripping hazards or outdoor lighting that creates a dramatic effect by lighting that truly amazing specimen tree. You may also consider lights for the security of your property. While some people utilize security lighting that comes on automatically when someone comes on the property, some police departments suggest that a better outside security light plan is constant low-level lighting when it comes to deterring crime.

Another place people seem to overlook is their garden. Perfect outdoor lighting in a garden can transform what would otherwise be just another dark area on your lawn into something that is a true eye catcher. Also consider lighting driveways, pathways and of course properly placed lighting on a porch or patio can transform those spaces into a truly magical spot for parties or that special romantic dinner you've been planning.

Always keep in mind that you can have too much of a good thing also. As you see the dramatic change that outdoor lighting brings to your property it is easy to keep adding lights and to overdo it. Excessive outdoor lighting can have a number of harmful consequences. Glare from unnecessary lighting can be hazardous and could actually take away from the effect you are trying to create. Also, too much artificial light just serves to be a waste of natural resources. Lastly, install timers that turn your lights on at dusk and off at dawn. As previously stated, there's no use in wasting energy because you forget to turn off the lights in the morning.

There are software programs available that allow you to simulate how your outdoor lighting plan will look. With the wealth of styles and types of lighting available today, and the availability of computer software simulators, I know that you will create the perfect outdoor lighting plan. After all is said and done, you will be overjoyed that you have turned a seemingly normal looking landscape into one that looks totally amazing when night falls.