Outdoor Lighting Perspectives

As the world’s oldest and largest outdoor lighting franchise company, we’ve installed stunning outdoor lighting at more than 85,000 homes and businesses. Our installations have included architectural lighting; garden lighting; landscape lighting; underwater, fountain and pool lighting; patio and deck lighting; driveway lighting; walkway lighting; and so much more. Visit http://www.outdoorlights.com/ for more details. Add me to your Circles Follow us

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Most homeowners want to increase the value of their home, not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for the future, just in case they decide to sell their house. According to a recent blog post on WDSUNews.com, installing certain lighting trends will increase the worth of a house and make it more eye-catching to potential buyers. These trends use safe and economical low-voltage outdoor lighting solutions, which is quickly becoming the favored alternative to conventional options. The blog mentioned key areas of the home where people can install the trendy fixtures, and one of these prime locations is the deck. Houses with decks will benefit from being properly illuminated, since certain lights will enhance the beauty of the natural wood deck. Homeowners who go this route should buy low-voltage lights that are safer for outdoor use and durable during bad weather.

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A homeowner could have outdoor lights installed for a variety of different reasons. These could range from enhancing the overall beauty of the home to providing an opportunity for residents to spend quality time together under a starry night sky. What homeowners may not realize is that outdoor lighting can also increase security for their property. Below are three outdoor lighting ideas from an article on Memetics.com that anyone can apply to ensure their relatives and guests are always safe on their premises. One idea is to use outdoor lighting to create safe pathways. Lit paths are used to indicate safe routes to and from the home. This can be especially helpful if the route crosses through gardens or extensive landscaping. If homeowners hold parties in their backyard at night, well-lit pathways create visible boundaries between walkable areas and areas that should be avoided. Pathway lighting is designed to prevent accidents or injuries from occurring on your property.

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According to an August news post on Bernews.com, the Bermuda Police service has noticed a “persistent rise in commercial burglaries around the island.” This came following three separate incidents that happened within 24 hours to various business establishments on Lover’s Lane in Paget, on Parliament Street, and on Laffan Street. In the wake of investigations, police officials urged business owners to review the safety and security solutions they are currently using, including the commercial outdoor lighting systems that they may or may not have installed around their premises. Authorities also gave business owners some helpful tips about what they could do to avoid being burglarized.

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People will spend a lot of time, money, and effort to make their gardens or outdoor living spaces more attractive and lively, especially at night. Many homeowners will install outdoor lights and lamps to create the right look for their home. Unfortunately, some tend to make outdoor lighting mistakes that distract from their original purpose. Thankfully, there are landscape lighting experts like us who can offer guidance on how to fix these common mistakes. The first of these mistakes is not starting with a sufficient design plan. Frank Crandall writes about landscape lighting at the news portal GoLocalProv. He says that the design should come first because it is crucial for homeowners to identify what they will need to get their desired outcome. Crandall suggests that they pre-plan details like the number of bulbs and wires, the placement of light sources within the landscaping, and the kind of lighting techniques that will be used.

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Many homeowners have been asking us if LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting for their yards or gardens is a good choice. Two years ago, most landscape experts would have told them to consider other options, but that is no longer the case. Lawn & Landscape magazine recently pointed out that LEDs are now gaining acceptance and popularity among many designers. One landscape designer based in South Carolina told the same magazine that LEDs have evolved so quickly and considerably that they are now part of his daily designs.

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Create the impression that someone is at home. That was the advice Police Lt. Brian Piekarski of Sagamore Hills, Ohio gave to anyone who wants to prevent burglars from targeting their houses. Lieutenant Piekarski advised residents to “Keep your home lit up. Outside lights are great. Indoor lights are good.” He spoke out on Fox 8 Cleveland after a string of burglaries in his neighborhood. “The darker your home, the more attractive it is to somebody who wants to burglarize it because it’s going to be less noticeable if they kick in the front door.” Lieutenant Piekarski was definitely right that outside lights are great, especially when it comes to home safety. Strategically placed outdoor or landscape lighting will enhance the safety and security of your home, while also enhancing the beauty of its exterior.

[outdoorlightsva]

Every homeowner wants to up the value of his home, not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for the future, in the event that he decides to sell his house. According to a blog post on WDSUNews.com, installing certain lighting trends can help increase the stock of a house and make it more eye-catching than it has ever been. These trends use safe and economical low voltage outdoor lighting solutions that are becoming favored alternatives to conventional options. The blog mentioned key areas of the house where homeowners can install the trendy fixtures. One of these is the deck. Houses that have decks will benefit from these being properly lighted, as lights can enhance the beauty of the houses' exterior. Homeowners who opt for this can get low-voltage lights, which are safer for use and sturdier during inclement weather, as compared to traditional ones.

[outdoorlightsva]

A homeowner has outdoor lights installed for a variety of reasons. These range from enhancing the overall beauty of the home to providing an opportunity for residents to spend quality time in the evening under the stars. What a homeowner might not realize is that outdoor lights can also increase security for his or her property. Below are three outdoor lighting ideas from an article on Memetics.com that one can apply to make sure relatives or guests are always safe when on the premises. One idea is to use outdoor lighting to create safe pathways. Paths indicate routes to and from the home, particularly through a garden. If the homeowner holds parties in his or her backyard at night, well-lit pathways create visible boundaries between walkable areas and turf, which cannot be missed. As such, these can prevent accidents or injuries from occurring.

[outdoorlightsva]

According to a news post on Bernews.com this August, the Bermuda Police service has noticed a “persistent rise in commercial burglaries around the island.” This came following three separate incidents that happened within 24 hours in establishments on Lover's Lane in Paget, Parliament Street, and Laffan Street. In the wake of investigations, police officials urged business owners to review the safety and security solutions they are utilizing, including the commercial outdoor lighting systems they may or may not have installed around their premises. Authorities also called on business owners to heed some tips they provided if they want to avoid being burglarized.

[outdoorlightsva]

Individuals spend a lot of time, money, and effort to make their gardens or open-air living spaces attractive and lively, especially at night. A number of homeowners especially take care to install lights to achieve this effect. However, some tend to commit outdoor lighting mistakes that could get in the way of their plans. Thankfully, experts are ready with advice on how to fix them. The first of these mistakes is not having a sufficient design plan in the first place. Frank Crandall, who writes about landscape lighting at the news portal GoLocalProv, says that the design should come first because it is very important for homeowners to identify what they need to get their desired outcome. Crandall suggests they pre-plan details like the number of needed bulbs and wires, the placement of light sources in the landscape, and the kind of lighting techniques to be used.

[outdoorlightsva]

Some homeowners have been asking if LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting for their yards or gardens makes sense. Two years ago, landscape experts would have told them to consider other options. But, as Lawn & Landscape magazine points out, LEDs are now gaining acceptance and popularity among designers. So, why should homeowners consider LED outdoor lighting now? There are three reasons these lights can benefit homeowners despite the costs involved. One reason is that LEDs are better than traditional incandescent bulbs, even for brightening outdoor spaces. LED bulbs are 75 percent more efficient than incandescent ones and last possibly up to 15 times longer. LEDs are also energy-efficient, especially if they display the Energy Star rating. In fact, one landscape designer based in South Carolina told the magazine that LEDs have evolved so quickly and considerably that they are now part of his daily designs.

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When to Set Up Christmas Lights

Can you believe the Christmas countdown has already started? While carolers might not be singing good tidings yet, you should definitely start thinking about your Christmas preparations today. However, a lot of people are probably wondering: “Is it too early to put up Christmas lights now?”

Deciding when to set up your outdoor holiday lights can be tricky. Too early and you might stick out like a sore thumb in your neighborhood. Too late and your house might seem like a dull bulb in a string of festive lights.

There are advantages to setting up your lights a little early and a little late. Some people think the best time to start is around the fall so you won't freeze in the cold while installing the lights. If you feel this is too early, just set up the main lights first and install everything else as Christmas draws closer.

Others think the best time to install Christmas lights is during the long Thanksgiving weekend. While it's definitely colder, the holiday allows your family to be on hand to help you put up the lights. This will also save you electricity since the lights will be used for a shorter period of time.

If you're still unsure when to string up your Christmas lights, just take a cue from your neighbors. Anyway, there's no reason to be the first to do so (unless you're trying to make a statement!) Don't over-think it and just have fun—after all, it's the holidays.

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Make it look as if someone is at home. This is the advice Police Lt. Brian Piekarski of Sagamore Hills, Ohio gave to individuals who want to prevent burglars from targeting their houses. “Keep your home lit up. Outside lights are great. Indoor lights are good,” Piekarski was quoted as saying by Fox 8 Cleveland, following a string of burglaries in his neighborhood. “The darker your home, the more attractive it is to somebody who wants to burglarize it, because it’s going to be less noticeable for them kicking in the front door.” Take note of that line: outside lights are great. Strategically placed outdoor or landscape lighting can effectively boost the safety and security of one’s home, on top of enhancing the beauty of its exteriors.

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Lighting Ideas for Illuminating Your Deck

Decks are one of the most important areas of your house as these can be used to entertain guests, access pathways, and hold other outdoor activities. If you want to sustain a lively atmosphere on your deck, you have to consider installing deck lighting. Experts usually suggest that, when brightening up this space, you should install light fixtures that are similar to those in your home so that the designs will be parallel.

When identifying the appropriate location to put the lights, think of how these will affect areas like the stairs or the grill. Lights on stair risers are a good option if you have stairs distant from the house, as these can emit the right amount of light that you need. Installing LED lights under a post cap is also a bright idea if you want to create a warm ambiance using a subtle light.

Recessed lights are also good for large decks where you entertain your guests. You can also install lights under the handrails, as these also provide a soft downward light in between the balusters, all the while with the light fixture hidden from view. According to experts, the cost of a complete deck lighting system can start anywhere from $500 to $2000. They also note that if you have existing landscape lighting, you may just modify this by installing more fixtures and wiring.

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Outdoor Lighting for Your Front Door

The front, back, and garage doors of your home need to be well-lit. The same goes for other doors that provide direct access to your home from outside. Before you even worry about beautifying your garden or deck with fancy outdoor lighting, see to it that your main doors have adequate lighting.

Your front door should have the brightest, if not the biggest, lighting fixtures. The ideal setup is to have a pair of lights on both sides of the door. However, if the architectural setup of your home does not permit this, a lone light on one side should be bright enough to illuminate the entire door.

Meanwhile, keep in mind that lighting fixtures should be installed neither too high nor too low. Chances are that they may not provide sufficient illumination or you may get dazzled whenever you enter your house if the lights are not positioned properly. Front door lights must typically be installed at an angle of 66 degrees above the threshold. In case your door is taller than average, consider having the lights installed at a higher spot.

When installing lighting fixtures on your garage door, it is important to consider the size. Since it's bigger than other doors, the garage door should have bright lighting on either end to offset the space in between. Some outdoor lighting installation recommend installing additional lanterns right above the garage door.

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Path Lights: Ample Lighting Every Step of the Way

It can be argued that path lighting fixtures are the most important outdoor lights that you can purchase, particularly if you don't want to trip and fall on your way back home on a starless night. These lights are designed to provide a small, but concentrated stream of illumination, and come in a variety of forms, from standard lamp posts to small recessed or paver lights installed directly into the pathway. While selecting a high-quality lamp is important for optimum results, there are other factors that determine the effectiveness of pathway lights.

Spacing, for instance, is quite crucial if you want to avoid glare that can inadvertently blind you at inopportune moments. Even if you use low-glare lights, tightly packed path lights tend to create a sort of “runway effect” that can be a bit distracting. These are the very same reasons why path lights shouldn't face upwards.

When it comes to choosing outdoor lamps, LEDs (light emitting diodes) are highly recommended since they are bright, energy-efficient, and can last for a long time. These attributes are very important for paver lights since they are quite cumbersome to replace. LED path lights can also remain on for extended periods, thereby providing near-perfect pathway illumination for far longer.

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How to Go About Designing Landscape Lighting

While the moon and stars make for a romantic night sky, they are nonetheless poor sources of illumination for any outdoor space. As such, homeowners would do well to have their homes outfitted with the right outdoor lighting fixtures in order to provide adequate illumination at night. This task is easier said than done, however, as you can’t just stick a light bulb anywhere in your garden or yard.

The basic rule of thumb when it comes to the installation of outdoor lighting fixtures is to determine which spots badly need lighting. Walkways, ramps, deck steps, and other paths through and around the yard will need ample illumination so that people don't trip and injure themselves in the dark. Meanwhile, strategically positioned lighting fixtures around pools, ponds, and hot tubs prevent people from accidentally falling into these water features and possibly drowning as a result.

Aside from warning people about possible hazards, outdoor lighting can help beautify landscaping features – such as arbors, gazebos, trellises, and pergolas – and turn an already beautiful garden into an enchanting landscape whenever the sun sets. This should prove rather useful if you’re fond of hosting al fresco dinner parties in your well-maintained yard, deck, or patio.