Outdoor Lighting and Landscape Lighting Tips

Do you have a general idea of what you want your outdoor lighting to do but don’t know how to go about it? Why not check out the different types of outdoor lighting that you’re drawn to? In this article, we discuss outdoor lighting, including some landscape lighting tips straight from the professionals at landscape lighting companies in Alpharetta, Georgia!

With so many different landscape lights in the market, you should be able to find the one that suits your taste, style and budget. You can go for soft lighting for some areas, while for other areas, you might want it bright. Watt indicates electricity consumption, but some lightings emit more than others, even with the same watt. Consider that the wider the light throw distance or the more intensity you need, the more output you’ll need.

LEDs, Energy Savings, and Efficiency

Some types of lighting are more efficient compared to others. Low voltage lights, can save on electricity by focusing light beams, but it typically does not have the line voltage’s equivalent beam throw. The more up-to-date 65-watt and 120-watt incandescent bulbs produce a maximum of twenty-five percent more light. Newer compact fluorescent lights give the high level of savings in terms of energy and the softest lighting. Mercury vapor lights give high illumination as well as energy savings, but they have a cool color.

The best lights would have to be LED lights which have LED arrays built in. Outdoor LED lighting is one of the favorites for landscape lighting. They can last for years, removing the need for always changing the light. Since they also use little energy, you can put in more lights attached to the same transformer. You can even use a more affordable and smaller transformer.

Fluorescent

Fluorescents lights can be utilized for banisters, walls, and signs. These lights usually give off a soft light quality and are also a top saver for energy.

High Pressure Sodium/Mercury Vapor

This group of lighting offers intense light at an affordable energy cost. Their color creations limit use and they do not come on readily with a flick of the switch as  they need warm up time.

Incandescent A

The incandescent A is a general type usually used at home. They are affordable, but has less light compared to other incandescent lights.

Incandescent B

Incandescent B is a reflector, either concentrated or flood spotlight. This has twice the output of incandescent A lights.

Incandescent Tungsten-Halogen/Quartz

This kind of light gives off a bright light consistently. This is available as a projector or a reflector type and can fit in less obtrusive and smaller fixtures.

Now knowing the kind of lights you might need and want for your lighting, it is also wise to consider few tips for your outdoor lighting. Here is what Southern Landscape Lighting Systems suggests:

First, disguise the landscape lighting source as much as possible. That is, except whenever the fixture is decorative. Second, do not overdo it. Just a little light can go a long way in the evenings. Third, try to be creative by mixing a couple of light techniques. Fourth, put in an automatic device such as a timer that can turn the lights off and on. Lastly, consider your neighbors’ circumstances. Make sure the lights don’t shine on their windows.

If you want more pro tips and consulting on your outdoor lighting, contact us at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems. We are your landscape lighting contractor in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Techniques for Landscape Lighting Design and Installation

 

Getting an outdoor landscape lighting system for your home is a wonderful way to incorporate curb appeal, beauty, and even safety to your driveway, and entrance. In addition, if you already have some kind of lighting system installed, this can be adapted or enhanced through updated styles, layouts, and such. In this article, we discuss some of the better-known techniques for landscape lighting, so you’ll know which landscape lighting companies to engage for landscape lighting installation in Acworth, GA.

Area Lighting or Down Lighting

Area lighting or down lighting - lighting units are installed high on your house or on trees to create wide illumination. This type lighting system allows  you to entertain whenever you’re outdoors, at your backyard in the evening and also serve as a tool for safety and security lighting. If you want to highlight steps, paths, or flowerbeds, the down light can be placed near to the ground.

Cross Lighting

When you illuminate a statue or a tree from two or more sides, it shows up it"s 3-dimensional form.

Diffused or Spread Lighting

If you want circular light patterns on flowerbeds, ground cover, or bigger shrubbery, you can spread the lights to cover a bigger area using low-level lighting. Some units, like bollards, create diffused soft lighting for pathways, driveways, deck lighting, and patios.

Grazing

Placing your light near a surface with some interest can bring about the texture of a masonry wall, a tree bark, a pretty door, or wood shingles. It is not suggested to do this for smooth surfaces.

Moonlighting

Similar to down lighting, but making use of light sources that are soft and positioned extremely high, this creates a simulated effect of moonlight going through branches, designing pretty shadow patterns.

Pool and Fountain Lighting

Underwater lighting makes dramatic effects on fountains and pools. Put in a dimmer for turning the lights up for more excitement. You can use the water as a mirror through lighting the area behind a reflecting surface.

Shadowing

Shadowing lights up the object from below and up front to make for intriguing shadows appear on vertical surfaces, like the wall.

Silhouetting

If you hid your lights below and behind a bush or trees, you get that great impact, somewhat like a ridge silhouetted by the sky during dusk.

Spot or Accent Lighting

Landscape spotlights concentrate on intense and controlled beams so as to underscore the central parts of your garden lights such as your statuary, shrubs, and flowers. This makes for twinkling islands of curiosity in your plan for landscape lighting.

Uplighting

Uplighting has lights aimed up or at times buried in the ground. This creates a truly dramatic impact. You can use it if you have interesting textured walls, a statue, or trees. Swirling snow or autumn leaves give wonderful effects with this technique. Concentrate the lights on key objects or plants found in your yard.

If you have questions or need help with the design and installation of your landscape lighting, contact the experts at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems. We’re a landscape lighting company in Acworth, Georgia with a professional but friendly team.

Areas and Fixtures for Outdoor Lighting in Marietta, GA

You want your home to reflect elegance but at the same time provide high level of security---this is exactly what outdoor lighting can do for you. This article goes through the areas and fixtures for exterior lighting; read on to learn about what you need to know before you begin working with a landscape lighting company.

Areas

Close to the House

Lighting rear and side entrances to your home, as well as walls that are near windows, can ensure that thieves and prowlers would be discouraged from invading your home.

Driveway

Illuminating your driveway using light increases security and safety for your home. Also, the delineation created makes a pretty pattern.

Front Entry

With front entry lighting, you give a warm welcome to your family and friends even when evening strikes. Pick a wall bracket that has sufficient illumination for the front steps and lighting for the house number and keyhole.

Garage

Sufficient garage lights will improve security and safety, especially if the other lights in your house aren’t on.

Paths and Steps

Oftentimes forgotten, lit paths and steps are also crucial in preventing accidents when it’s dark. The house can be adorned with post lights and lanterns and low path lights.

Rear Yard

Floodlighting from trees or the home helps discourage vandals and intruders. If you cannot cover your light source, pick units that look nice, not industrial. You can arrange accordingly for motion sensors, photocells, or automatic timers.

Fixture Types

Accent or Spot

These are adjustable or versatile fixtures utilized for grazing, accenting, cross lighting, and up lighting. When this is mounted up high, it can offer focused moonlighting and down lighting.

Chain Lanterns, Ceiling Close Up, Wall Bracket

These are mounted on doors, on porches, and over garages. The chain hung lantern unit creates a light that goes outward, either diffused or direct.

Bullet Shape, Box Shape, and Cylinder

These types of designs help concentrate and direct light beams. Some cut off the glare and protect lamps and sockets from moisture and debris.

Diffused and Spread

These kinds of low-level units are created to make illumination on a broader pattern for paths, steps, driveways, perimeter plantings, and flower beds.

Fountain and Swimming Pool Lighting

The fixtures are installed at the ends and sides of pools and the bottom of fountains. For lamp changes, wet niche fixtures can be taken out. Dry niche fixtures, on the other hand, need access to the pool shell’s back.

In-Ground or Well Light

When you bury the fixtures flushed against the ground, this covers the source of light. You can use this for shrubbery up lighting and for grazing walls with texture.

Post Lights and Bollard

These are standing fixtures like garden lights or deck lighting that light up pool areas, the deck, garden walks, steps, and pathways. They also offer beautiful light patterns for your driveway.

Transformers, Timers and Other Accessories

Photocells, motion sensors, or automatic timers that turn the lights on during dusk and turn the lights off during dawn make landscape lighting energy-efficient and convenient.

When you need support for figuring out your what areas to lit up and what fixtures to use for outdoor lighting in Marietta, Georgia, contact the experts at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems. With many years in the business, we are one of the very best landscape lighting companies in Marietta GA.