The History and the Benefits of Beautiful Outdoor Landscape Lighting

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta is a full-service outdoor architectural landscape lighting company. The lighting specialists design, install and service residential and commercial outdoor lighting systems in Marietta, GA, and the metro Atlanta area.

All Things Bright and Beautiful: The History and Benefits of Landscape Lighting

The history of outdoor architectural landscape lighting is as ancient as the sun, moon, and stars. The morning sun rising above the horizon announces its imminent arrival with a splash of brilliant colors that paint the morning sky with strokes of orange, purple, and red. The day concludes with a fireball extending flaming fingers that claw the darkening sky to slow their hastening demise. A lesser orb pierces the evening’s black shroud with a faint liquid light that casts eerie shadows on the forest floor. Myriad stars dust the night sky with just enough luminescence to lift the eyes but not enough to light the path. For millennia, humanity has sought to capture and recast the beauty of creation with artificial landscape lighting.

A Brief History of Landscape Lighting

The science of modern landscape lighting dates to the seventeenth century, long before the harnessing of electricity. Lighting was utilized in decorative gardens and outdoor settings mainly for safety purposes. Lighting fuels advanced from whale oil to coal gas to natural gas in the nineteenth century, the climax being the production and usage of electricity in the twentieth century. Affordable, accessible electricity made it possible to integrate lighting into the design and function of a home’s landscape.

As a nation climbed out of the Great Depression in the 1930s, Frank Nightingale, an employee at General Electric, made the bold decision to quit his job and pursue his passion: landscape lighting. In 1933, he launched his own company, Kim Lighting and Manufacturing Co. From this starting point, he revolutionized the landscape lighting industry. By following his passion, Nightingale, who became known as the father of modern landscape lighting, transformed landscape lighting into a true art form.

LED: A Leap Forward in Landscape Lighting Technology

The first LED lightbulb for basic residential use was invented in 2010. The advances have been measured not in small steps but in giant leaps. Within a decade, LED lights have become accessible, affordable, and commonplace in and around homes and businesses across the United States. The net energy savings has put energy dollars back in the pockets of the average homeowner.

Not only did LED technology become widely adopted in homes, businesses, offices, schools, hospitals, and factories, but it also became a popular way to light up the exterior of the home. Early LED landscape lighting technology was expensive and faced some performance challenges, but American innovation rapidly overcame these issues. In 2022, LED landscape lighting technology has captured the beauty of creation and is recasting it with a brilliance that is 80% more efficient than traditional halogen lighting. LEDs can last up to 50,000 hours. Encapsulation of the LED in a sturdy brass or aluminum fixture designed with heat-dissipating phalanges ensures the longevity of the bulb. The metal casing also gives the LED an advantage when exposed to the elements or the boots and equipment of the lawn maintenance crew. The lower operational temperature of the LED bulb reduces the potential for fire and injury to pets and people.

Traditional halogen landscape lighting bulbs, on the other hand, use five times the energy of LED. A 300-watt tubular halogen bulb at full power can reach 1,004 °F, hot enough to ignite mulch, leaves, or other debris. Halogen bulbs only last from around 2,000 to 4,000 hours before they need to be replaced.

Outdoor architectural landscape lighting involves the illumination of private lawns and gardens, as well as public landscapes. Purposes include the enhancement of nighttime aesthetics, security, pedestrian safety, accessibility, recreation, entertainment, and illumination for social gatherings.

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta offers virtual and onsite consultations. The design and installation professionals also provide nighttime demonstrations, which allow clients to experience how landscape lighting puts their home in the best light.

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