How Landscape Lighting for Walkways Encourages Homeowners to Enjoy the Outdoors

 How Landscape Lighting Can Help Homeowners Harness the Benefits of Walking and Exercise

Marietta, United States - February 7, 2022 /Southern Landscape Lighting Systems - Marietta/

LEDlow-voltage landscape lighting makes life at home beautiful and better. One of the ways this efficient, affordable, and sustainable technology improves the quality of life is by illuminating walkways, pathways, and walking trails around the home. Landscape lighting enables the homeowner to glean the benefits of a pre-dawn power walk or enjoy a leisurely stroll around the yard after a hard day at work.

 

The Benefits of a Stroll Around the Yard

For over two millennia, philosophers from Aristotle and Socrates to Henry David Thoreau have recognized the relationship between thinking and walking. The peripatetic philosophers of ancient Greece would walk around as they taught their students. In her article, “Five Philosophers on the Joys of Walking,” Emily Turner writes, “The act of putting one foot in front of another creates rhythm, movement, and can elevate the spirit.”

Walking improves mental health. According to the experts at Walking for Health, “It improves self-perception and self-esteem, mood and sleeps quality, and it reduces stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Physically active people have up to a thirty percent reduced risk of becoming depressed and staying active helps those who are depressed recover. In older people, staying active can improve cognitive function, memory, attention, and processing speed, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.”

The health specialists atBetter Health highlight the important health benefits of a thirty-minute stroll around the yard or neighborhood. “Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just thirty minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. Unlike some other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training.”

A walk can enhance creativity, clear the mind, give a fresh perspective, reduce stress, and improve the decision-making process. For the remote worker or the business owner who works from home, a backyard walking path can increase productivity, reduce errors, improve personal interactions with customers, and grow the business.

Design Ideas for a Great Walkway or Walking Path

1. Stamped concrete

The design possibilities of stamped concrete are limitless! Texture, color, and pattern can flawlessly mimic myriad types of stone and other paving material. For a unique flair that traditional floated concrete cannot match, choose stamped concrete. The sky is the limit.

2. Brick

For a classic look, choose a brick walkway. The popular product can be laid in many visually interesting patterns: herringbone, stacked bond, running bond, and basket-weave. Brick pavers offer a classic traditional look but are more expensive to install than the typical brick walkway.

3. Bluestone

The traditional bluestone path is impervious to fads and short-lived trends. The timeless appearance and broad appeal will always be in style. Contrary to its name, bluestone comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and not all bluestone is blue.

4. Mosaic pebbles

A walkway composed of mosaic pebbles is a unique work of art installed by skilled artisans. Varied sizes, shapes, textures, and colors combine for jaw-dropping beauty. An experienced landscape lighting designer can bring out the exquisite intricacies of the layout and pebble selection.

5. Stepstone walkway

A step-stone pathway makes for a great weekend DIY. Affordable, quick, and low impact, this project can provide the experience of hiking in the mountains or along with one of the many rivers in the Atlanta area.

6. Granite gravel

Versatile, affordable, and available in a variety of shades and sizes, granite gravel provides a stable base that can accommodate step stones of different shapes, sizes, and colors.

7. Bark mulch

Affordability and ease of application make bark mulch a great choice for a longer footpath. The soft material is comfortable to walk on.

Why Effective Path Lighting Is Important

The illumination of walkways and paths around a property boost curb appeal and highlight the locations of special landscape features, hardscapes, and entrances. Ease of use and safety are the prime reasons for installing landscape lighting on a walkway or footpath. During the shortened days of winter,LED landscape lighting makes a footpath or walking trail accessible for the pre-dawn or post-dusk stroll. The design and installation team at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta, GA, can provide a system that discreetly and effectively lights the way without disturbing the neighbors with unwanted light pollution.

To learn more about LEDlandscape lighting installation and service, contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta by email at lindsey@southernlls.com. Staff can also be reached by phone at (678) 616-9166.

How Landscape Lighting Can Make Life in Alpharetta, GA, More Enjoyable

 Tips on How to Use LED Landscape Lighting to Elevate the Outdoor Living Experience in Alpharetta

Alpharetta, United States - February 7, 2022 /Southern Landscape Lighting Systems - Alpharetta/

Low-voltageoutdoor landscape lighting does so much more than just showcase the beauty of a house when the sun settles below the horizon. Landscape lighting improves life around the home.

 

The Better Life in Georgia

Census Bureau statistics indicate that almost 285,000 people moved to Georgia in 2019.  Some of these new residents are retirees, while others may be searching for better employment opportunities. Whatever the circumstances, the desire for a better life is foundational to this demographic shift, and Georgia is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. The new Peach State residents came from all over the United States. Here are the top five states that contributed to this influx of new Georgia residents: Florida (46,235), Texas (22,452), South Carolina (18,828), Tennessee (17,210), and North Carolina (15,580). California and New York contributed a combined total of just over 30,000 to the influx.

Retirees are very thoughtful when selecting the perfect place to spend their golden years, and Georgia has recently overtaken Florida as the most desirable state in which to retire. Georgia’s low cost of living, temperate climate, reasonable home prices, and friendly people are very attractive to retirees all across America.

Alpharetta: The Best of the Best Places to Live in Georgia

Alpharetta finishes in the top spot as the absolute best place to live in Georgia, according to market analysts atSimpleShowing, a national, technology-powered real estate brokerage. The SimpleShowing article reads, “About 25 miles north of Atlanta, you’ll find Alpharetta. Though it’s considered a suburb of Atlanta, the city’s population is still a little over 60,000. One of the big highlights of this area is the Avalon which opened in 2014. This multi-use development has become the center for shopping, dining, and events for those in this city and surrounding areas. On a typical weekend, you can find morning yoga on the lawn, outdoor movies at night and patio seating from the bars and restaurants. Plus, the downtown Alpharetta area has been revitalized recently and features a fantastic selection of restaurants, coffee shops and hotels. Like many of the northern Atlanta’s suburbs, Alpharetta is very affluent with a median income of $92,839 and the value of a median house sitting at $378,000. Combine that with a low crime rate, and Alpharetta is a great place to raise a family.”

Highlighting the Better Life

The capabilities of LED low-voltage landscape lighting far exceed the aesthetic spectrum. Many homeowners overlook or underestimate the value oflandscape lighting for task lighting to facilitate work-related activities. The exterior lighting system can be configured to enable the homeowner to enjoy outdoor hobbies such as painting, making pottery, gardening, cooking, and meditating.

An experienced, versatile lighting designer is able to create lighting options that allow residents young and old to engage in physical activity safely and confidently. High-impact, fast-paced activities such as soccer, volleyball, dodgeball, and the timeless game of chase can be safely enjoyed thanks to the LED lighting. More sedate and relaxing activities such as Frisbee golf, practicing with the pitching wedge, croquet, and recreation on the backyard playground can be enjoyed to the fullest with the application of the appropriate lighting techniques and fixtures.

Technology empowers the homeowner to select pre-programmed lighting configurations specifically designed to accommodate the various activities that will take place in the backyard. When the work, art, entertainment, play, and exercise are finally completed, the system can be reset to the default mode using a cell phone or other device.

Functionality can be achieved without compromising aesthetics, ambiance, or curb appeal. A homeowner can schedule an onsite consultation with Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Alpharetta, GA, to assess the condition and usefulness of the existing landscape lighting system. The previous homeowner may have emphasized aesthetics and curb appeal and paid no attention to the backyard. The backyard may not have any landscape lighting at all. The landscape lighting specialists at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems can harness the potential of the backyard to bring a full range of enjoyment opportunities for the entire family, from grandparents to grandchildren.

For more information about low-voltageoutdoor LED lighting design, installation, and maintenance, email the team at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Alpharetta at lindsey@southernlls.com. The office can also be contacted by phone at (770) 691-1221.

Acworth Lighting Company Explains the Four Pillars of Great Landscape Lighting

 What Are the Four Pillars of an Excellent LED Landscape Lighting System?

Acworth, United States - December 8, 2021 /Southern Landscape Lighting Systems - Acworth/

A premium landscape lighting system rests upon four essential pillars: design, hardware, installation, and maintenance. If any of these pillars is compromised, the system collapses. The impact upon the performance and longevity of the system will be catastrophic. In the end, the home or business will not be beautiful, and the customer will be dissatisfied. If the landscape lighting design fails to create the desired ambiance and enhance the aesthetic of the landscape, the investment in the landscape is undermined, at least during the evening hours when illuminated by the landscape lighting. The homeowner who invests in premium fixtures may be surprised by the affordability of the step up. The performance, durability, and longevity of the fixtures will exceed expectations by years. The amazing LED landscape lighting system brings the stunning landscape and the breathtaking residence to light. Guests and neighbors are awestruck, and the property owner is delighted.

The Importance of Annual Maintenance

An excellent design, best quality fixtures, and a well-engineered installation make for a beautiful landscape lighting system that leaves the customer satisfied the moment the lights come up that first evening.

The fourth pillar of an LED low-voltage landscape lighting system is the ongoing maintenance that keeps the system in top operating condition all year long. Landscape lighting is subjected to the elements, as well as continuous use. As a result, no landscape lighting system is maintenance-free.

A reputable landscape lighting company will offer a maintenance program with a well-defined scope of work. The scope of work may include the following items:

1. Thoroughly inspecting the entire system from the panel box to the fixture

A spring inspection prepares the system for warmer weather when the usage of the outdoor living space is high. Schedule the appointment in late winter to ensure the team is available for the spring inspection.

2. Cleaning lenses

Dust, dirt, and mulch can build up on the fixture lens to the point that the reduction in light output disturbs the aesthetic of the design. Fixtures located in very dusty or muddy areas of the yard may require more attention.

3. Greasing connections

Water is the enemy of an outdoor landscape lighting system. The annual inspection will identify connections that need attention, and grease them as needed.

4. Making repairs

Some common repairs that technicians make during the inspection include:

• Replacing cracked lens and damaged fixtures
• Repairing damaged or compromised wiring
• Re-burying exposed wiring

5. Pruning overgrowth

An LED landscape lighting system exists in an environment that is constantly changing. Trees, shrubs, bushes, vines, and groundcovers must be pruned, or fixtures must be adjusted to accommodate this growth. Fixtures that illuminate fast-growing trees need attention on an annual basis.

6. Re-aiming and adjusting fixtures

Lighting fixtures take a beating from the elements, falling limbs, the lawn maintenance provider, children, pets, and wild animals that find their way into the yard. As a result, fixtures need to be re-aimed.

7. Upgrading equipment and technology

As technology advances, the homeowner may decide to upgrade the landscape lighting system. Many homeowners are making the ultimate upgrade by replacing a traditional halogen system with a modern, energy-efficient, safer, and more versatile LED low-voltage lighting system. An LED system requires much less maintenance since the bulbs last many times longer than halogen bulbs. The LED bulbs are much more durable and shock-resistant.

8. Other items that deserve attention include:

• Checking the transformer to make sure the wattage being emitted is correct
• Adjusting the timer settings
• Tightening screws and bolts that hold fixtures in place
• Adding new fixtures or entire zones to accommodate additions to the landscape or hardscape

Ongoing maintenance is a crucial pillar in the creation of a beautiful landscape lighting system. Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, GA, offers a comprehensive maintenance plan that will keep the property owner’s outdoor landscape lighting system bright and beautiful all year long. The lighting technicians gladly service and maintain systems, even systems that they did not install.

To schedule an LED landscape lighting consultation, service call, or inspection, contact the Acworth office of Southern Landscape Lighting Systems by calling (678) 324-6842. The team can also be reached by email at lindsey@southernlls.com.

Creative Ways to Make an Existing Landscape Lighting System Shine

 Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth designs, installs, and services residential and commercial outdoor LED lighting systems in the metro Atlanta area. The design and installation team understands the importance of occasional fine-tuning and proper maintenance to keep a lighting system functional and beautiful.

A Landscape Lighting Scenario

When the landscape lighting system was first installed, the results stunned the homeowner, neighbors, and visitors. The final product was fabulous, a work of art. Over time, however, the homeowner became bored with their landscape lighting, even though guests and neighbors would rave with every visit. The homeowner was no longer energized or inspired by the landscape lighting. Was the system failing? Was the design uninspiring when the newness lost its shine? What happened to the mystique and the breathtaking brilliance?

What to Do When a Landscape Lighting System Has Lost Its Luster

If homeowners feel that their landscape lighting has lost its drama, interest, and ambiance, they can diagnose the fundamental problem by considering the questions listed below.

Question: Has the lighting plan lost its pop because it is outdated in style and technology?

A landscape plan is not a one-and-done project. The lighting fixtures should be up-to-date. The programming technology can easily be upgraded, allowing the designer and the homeowners to adapt and adjust to new ideas, new schedules, and changes in the landscape. Subtle, incremental changes in the lighting design style and application inject freshness and flair. Landscape lighting that lifts the eyes upward and brightens the landscape on a dark winter evening can stimulate the soul and positively elevate mood.

Question: Are undetected or unresolved electrical issues stunting the brilliance of the lighting system?

Halogen bulbs can go dark without warning. On the other hand, LEDs fade in brightness as they age. Engineering refinements have vastly improved bulb performance and affordability since the emergence of the technology over the last decade. LED bulbs are not indestructible, but they are amazingly tough.

Damaged fixtures can affect performance. Heat is the enemy of the LED bulb. High-quality fixtures, such as those used by Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, GA, have heat-dissipating features engineered into the hardware. If damage compromises the heat dissipating properties of the fixture, the longevity and illuminating power of the bulb will be reduced. Inadequate maintenance can interfere with system operation and diminish the beauty of a lighting system.

Question: Do the lighting hardware and layout need maintenance?

General maintenance is vitally important for a landscape lighting system. Vegetation should be pruned and shaped annually. Precocious plants need more attention from the landscape crew. Landscape maintenance crews can wreak havoc on a lighting system. The lighting position of various lamps may need evaluation several times a year to keep the system functional and beautiful.

If the evening landscape seems dull, opaque, or muted, the solution may be as simple as cleaning the lenses on the fixtures. Be sure and clean all the lenses to keep the lighting balanced and proportioned as intended by the lighting designer. A reputable landscape lighting company will offer a regular maintenance plan that covers most, if not all, of the maintenance services mentioned in this article.

Question: Does the landscaping need attention?

An illuminated landscape may appear dull for reasons other than a deficiency in the lighting design or hardware. Edged planting beds accentuate definition. Clean, well-shaped shrubbery and bushes communicate order and draw a contrast with the sharp, straight lines of the home. Winter color from mums, evergreens, and other cold-weather vegetation add a living dimension during the dormant winter months. Refresh mulch beds with a dark mulch that will keep its dark brown texture until spring arrives. The deep brown will contrast nicely with the grays and greens associated with winter.

Question: Do individual hardscape features need some TLC?

If “drab” best describes the landscape even when the landscape lighting system is functioning at its full glory, then consider these suggestions that can create eye-popping results. Pressure wash the sidewalk, driveway, and walkways. Include curbing in the pressure washing job if the curbing is stained with black tire marks. Rock walls and landscape boulders become almost luminescent when grime, algae, moss, and weathering discolorations are removed. A reputable pressure washing company will know how to handle delicate hardscapes such as fountains, fences, ponds, benches, and statuary.

Question: Does the home, the centerpiece of the landscape lighting plan, need to be spruced up?

Harness the power of paint. A fresh coat of paint on railings, columns, shutters, porch furniture, gutters, the mailbox, and garage doors can make the drab dazzle! Polish the brass. If there is none, consider adding some if it fits the décor. Doorknobs, locks, a door knocker, street numbers, and wall sconces will shine in the bright beams of LED low-voltage landscape lighting.

Showcase the front porch with seasonal accents and amenities. The front door should evoke notions of a grand entrance to a warm welcome. A brilliant lighting designer can illuminate the walkway and front door so that the trek is not only safe but also breathtaking. Upgrade the front porch lighting. Change out the existing front porch light for a stylish, elegant chandelier.

A subtle, tasteful adjustment or a slightly nuanced design shift may have the neighbors asking, “What have you done to your home. It looks fabulous!” The alteration may have been something as simple as manipulating the warmth of the entrance lights so that the initial impact is more inviting and calming.

For more information about landscape lighting installation and service, contact the office by phone at (678) 324-6842 or by email at lindsey@southernlls.com.