LED Landscape Lighting for Assisted Living Centers in Marietta, GA

 The team at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta designs and installs outdoor LED lighting systems for a wide variety of applications. One such application is the installation of landscape lighting to enhance the beauty and safety of the outdoor facilities at an assisted living community.

The 2020 census reports that there are approximately 55 million Americans over the age of 65. Every day in the US, 10,000 people celebrate this milestone in their lives. Continuing care retirement communities meet the growing needs of this aging demographic.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), “Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also called life care communities, offer different levels of service in one location. Many of them offer independent housing (houses or apartments), assisted living, and skilled nursing care, all on one campus. Healthcare services and recreation programs are also provided. In a CCRC, where you live depends on the level of service you need. People who can no longer live independently move to the assisted living facility or sometimes receive home care in their independent living unit. If necessary, they can enter the CCRC’s nursing home. Assisted living is for people who need help with daily care but not as much help as a nursing home provides. Assisted living facilities range in size from as few as 25 residents to 120 or more. Typically, a few “levels of care” are offered, with residents paying more for higher levels of care.”

The NIH goes on to describe more aspects of assisted living: “Assisted living residents usually live in their apartments or rooms and share common areas. They have access to many services, including up to three meals a day; assistance with personal care; help with medications, housekeeping, and laundry; 24-hour supervision, security, and on-site staff; and social and recreational activities. Exact arrangements vary from state to state.”

Georgia has almost 700 assisted living centers, and nearly half of these facilities are in the greater Atlanta area. Acworth, Alpharetta, and Marietta are dotted with numerous continuing-care retirement communities, many of which provide assisted living services. Nearly 13% of Marietta residents are over the age of 65.

Assistive lighting for assisted living

Many residents in continuing care and assisted living centers to enjoy a high level of independent living and mobility. These elder care communities offer exercise and recreational venues ranging from hiking trails and walking tracks to paved walkways and sitting areas with benches. Each venue accommodates one or more levels of independence and mobility. LED low-voltage landscape lighting provides assistive lighting at assisted living centers without compromising aesthetics. Landscape lighting not only expands safe access to venues after dark but also enhances aesthetic beauty.

Below are some practical applications for facility and grounds maintenance managers to consider when evaluating the safety, security, functionality, and aesthetics of the elder care facility.

Ramps and rails

Steps limit or prevent accessibility to residents in a wheelchair or using a walker. A knee or hip replacement can make climbing or descending steps risky. In place of steps, architects have incorporated gentle grades or constructed ramps. Eliminating steps does not forego the need to illuminate the sloped areas. Adequately bright path lighting assists the resident in discerning depth, which is necessary to prevent overbalance and a potential fall. Railings are very important in both upslopes and downslopes. On the upslope, the railing enables the resident to pull their way up the slope. On the downslope, the railing stabilizes the resident, preventing overbalance. A simple, well-lit bench at both the top and bottom of the incline adds a measure of safety as well as a nice aesthetic.

Steps and rest stops

Since a continuing care retirement center includes residents with a full range of mobility, some steps may be included in the landscape of the facility. These steps should be free of shadows, and glare should be kept to a minimum or eliminated.  Illuminated handrails provide an extra measure of security in case a resident loses their grip. A lighted bench for rest and recovery is important in areas where physical exertion may leave a resident in need of a brief rest.

Landscape lighting for the immobile

Once the sun goes down, mobility is restricted for many residents by choice or by physical limitations. Many continuing care residential communities (CCRCs) have made beautiful landscaping a top priority. Beautiful gardens, fabulous water features and statuary, meandering walkways, and magnificent trees festoon the landscape. This landscape can be experienced in all its glory after the sun sets with the help of a skilled landscape lighting artisan. Many residential retirement communities are on the outskirts of suburbs and are often visited by ample wildlife when darkness falls. Deer, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, and wild boar will amble through the gated neighborhoods, industrial parks, and even CCRCs. LED landscape lighting enables all residents, including the infirm, to enjoy the nocturnal antics of indigenous wildlife.

Other areas that would stand to benefit from LED low-voltage landscape lighting include:

• Recreational areas
• Dark or shadowed spaces during the daytime hours
• Therapeutic lighting (mood enhancement, sundowning, sleep enhancement)
• Lighting signage and curb appeal
• Landscaping for a robust nightlife

The metro Atlanta LED low-voltage lighting company offers an onsite, in-person consultation. Be sure to inquire about the onsite nighttime demonstration. A beautiful landscape deserves to be enjoyed, especially after sunset.

Contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems for more information about landscape lighting installation. The Marietta office can be reached by calling (678) 616-9166 or by emailing lindsey@southernlls.com.

Landscape Lighting Company Explains Lighting Types and Techniques

 The team at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth designs installs and services residential and commercial outdoor lighting systems in the metro Atlanta area. The company offers a nighttime demonstration so customers can have an idea of how LED low-voltage landscape lighting will impact the visual aesthetic of the home and landscape.

The Aesthetic Pleasures of LED Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting

A well-lit walking path evokes images that are elegant and other-worldly. A well-designed and creative LED low-voltage lighting design and installation can transform any ordinary and mundane landscape, backyard, or front yard into a magical getaway that brings visual, mental, and emotional peace, relief, and refreshment. The enjoyment experienced in the evening wandering the landscape is unmatched and never grows old. Almost as pleasing as roaming the well-illuminated yard is showing it off to friends and family.

Landscape lighting offers practical benefits for Acworth, GA, residents. It reclaims the darkness by illuminating the outdoor living space so family and friends can enjoy the deck, patio, pool, spa, or outdoor fireplace. LED landscape lighting is also beneficial for highlighting green areas such as raised planters, a vegetable or herb garden, a prized Japanese maple, or an elaborate, well-manicured espalier holly on the side of the house. The wide variety of venues, hardscapes, planting beds, trees, statuary, water features, and recreational areas around the home presents an almost insurmountable challenge to the typical homeowner seeking to install an LED low-voltage lighting system that provides safety, security, functionality, a charming aesthetic experience, and an inviting curb appeal.

Why Install Landscape Lighting

Below is an in-depth look at the advantages of landscape lighting.

1. Enhance safety around the yard.

A well-lit pathway is comfortable to navigate, especially for the elderly person who may experience difficulty seeing in the dim, dusk lighting. The loss of contrast affects depth perception, which can make navigating a gentle incline or a set of steps perilous and frightening. Illuminating walls, guardrails, and seating areas can improve orientation.

2. Transform the backyard into a retreat.

Color temperature, light brightness, and positioning, along with beam width and angle, can instantly create an ambiance that gives the yard a more composed and relaxed feel, much like a resort or retreat.

3. Draws attention to the landscape features most valued or appreciated by the homeowner.

 A custom mural from a regional artist, a signature statue from a renowned sculptor, an antique farm implement, a fishpond brimming with award-winning koi, a swimming pool, a putting green, or an illuminated play station for the grandchildren, or a meandering path lined with country rock from the Georgia mountains may be featured attractions in a landscape furnished with a well-designed landscape lighting system. Custom programming capabilities allow the homeowner to create settings and showcase individual elements in the yard.

4. Create a new and original aesthetic.

Fixtures come in a variety of shapes, styles, and colors to accommodate individual tastes and preferences.

5. Improve home value.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, almost 9 out of ten homebuyers rate exterior lighting as essential and highly desirable. A captivating LED low-voltage landscape lighting system can have a positive ROI.

Different Types of Outdoor Lights

The selection of landscape lighting fixtures is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Options abound. Here are some popular examples: uplights, downlights, path lights, deck and patio lights, wall lights, and hardscape lights.

Lighting Techniques

• Path lighting makes walkways, paths, and stairs safe while adding a warm and inviting atmosphere to the location.
• Uplighting is perfect for drawing attention to a distinctive architectural feature of the home or an element in the yard. The boulders, trees, or the side of the house are prime subjects for uplighting.
• Downlighting can be used to brighten an entire area of the yard and improve overall visibility. Moonlighting, a form of downlighting, is used in a tree to make branches and leaves appear as shadows.
• Deck and patio lighting are akin to downlighting. The light fixtures are more prominent. Consideration should be given to style, size, and finish as a means to accentuate the color palette of the deck or patio. Used properly, this lighting technique splashes sitting areas with a liberal amount of light to illuminate faces and enhance social interaction.
• Hardscape lighting focuses on walls, steps, pavers, water features, boulders, and firepits. This technique spotlights the object and is employed to light an outdoor kitchen island.
• Wall lighting involves fixtures that are engineered to light up walls, and these fixtures may be installed in the walls. This technique creates a designer feel for the spaces where this application is in use.

For premium products and superior design, installation, and maintenance, trust the professionals at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, GA. The team can be reached by email at lindsey@southernlls.com or by phone at (678) 324-6842.

Lighting Types and Techniques

 

Understanding and Maximizing the Value of a Great Landscape Lighting Design

 Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, GA, specializes in the design, installation, and maintenance of residential and commercial outdoor LED landscape lighting systems in the metro Atlanta area.

Understanding and Maximizing the Value of Great Landscaping

Home improvement is more than a kitchen remodel or a bathroom upgrade. A new fountain in the front yard or a total backyard makeover should also be considered a home improvement, even though the projects do not directly involve the structure of the house. The functional and financial value of a new kitchen is obvious, but does a landscaping project increase home value? Before making a substantial investment of time, energy, and resources into a landscape project, it is important to understand the value of a great landscape.

The Impact of Great Landscaping

Landscaping enhances curb appeal, which involves the first impression a home makes on guests, pedestrians, and passing traffic. The front lawn frames the house, and the view out of a bedroom window, the kitchen window, or the sunroom accentuates the aura of the home’s interior. Does curb appeal or a beautiful backyard positively increase a home’s value? Should the homeowner re-assess asset allocation and shift more resources to the improvement and maintenance of a beautiful landscape?

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) states that professionally landscaped homes can yield “15 percent to 20 percent more at the time of resale than homes with less attractive landscapes.”

Landscape Projects That Offer Strong ROI for the Homeowner

Landscaping encompasses the entire area around a home and the individual elements that comprise the design.  Two components of landscaping are softscapes and hardscapes. The softscape includes gardens, groundcovers, plants, flowers, grass, and trees. Grading and topography (hills, berms, swales, boulders, etc.) could be considered a part of the softscape. Hardscaping involves architectural features such as a gazebo, firepit, wall, steps, and formal paving.

Many homeowners are enhancing outdoor living spaces. Deck and patio enlargements, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and covered gazebos or pergolas are quite popular. The discerning homeowner and prospective buyer should be mindful that trends and tastes change from time to time. The custom outdoor brick oven that brought culinary delight to a previous owner may be an eyesore to a subsequent owner. Modest landscaping still outpaces minimal landscaping for ROI. Great landscaping is a sure winner for the homeowner. In light of the recent lifestyle changes and financial challenges resulting from the pandemic, landscape projects that expand living space and feature a low-maintenance aesthetic offer the strongest return on investment.

Maximizing the Value of Landscaping Projects

Listed below are examples of landscaping projects that add real value to a home.

1. Decks

A well-designed deck instantly adds to both the size and quality of life afforded by an outdoor living space. Screening, shading, and covering add privacy, relief from the hot sun, and protection from precipitation. A deck, whether wood or composite, offers a return on investment of over 60% of the initial cost.

2. Mature Trees and Greenery

Homebuyers want great designs that include larger, more mature plants, shrubs, and trees, especially trees. Trees cost more to install than shrubs, but fewer trees may be needed when compared to shrubs. Many shrubs need shearing or clipping several times a year, and trees require less maintenance over time. Mature trees also provide shade, create a windbreak, enhance curb appeal, and offer a safe, cozy habitat for birds, squirrels, and other small animals.

3. Low-Maintenance Softscapes

Many homeowners want a beautiful yard but without all the work. Low-maintenance landscaping is quite popular. Xeriscaping, drip irrigation, slower-growing plants and shrubs, and rainwater catch systems strike a positive chord with potential homebuyers interested in sustainability.

4. LED Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting

An LED low-voltage landscape lighting system designed and installed by Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth expands the usability of decks, patios, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, walking paths, water features, sitting areas, backyard playgrounds, and other recreational areas. The curb appeal created by that sophisticated landscape design and installation is enhanced in both bold and subtle ways by an effective landscape lighting system. The avoidance of a single slip-and-fall injury could pay for the design and installation of a landscape lighting system many times over. MLS images of a well-lit home generate interest that leads to action. Landscape lighting can increase home value by as much as 20%.

For more information about outdoor LED lighting installation and service, contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth by calling (678) 324-6842 or emailing lindsey@southernlls.com.

Exploring New Opportunities for LED Landscape Lighting in the Morning Darkness

 The landscape lighting professionals at Southern Landscape and Lighting Systems of Alpharetta pay close attention to cutting-edge advancements in lighting technology, shifting trends in customer preferences, changes in local and state building codes, and the passage of state and national legislation that directly and indirectly impact LED landscape lighting installation, equipment, design, and maintenance.

Changes in public policy and governmental regulations affecting Daylight Saving Time (DST) are on the horizon for Georgia homeowners and businesses. In 2022, daylight saving time 2022 in Georgia begins at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 13. At 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 6, clocks return to standard time. On Sunday, March 12, 2023, Georgia’s clocks may spring forward for the last time and stay there permanently.

A law professor and proponent of permanent DST, Steve Calandrillo, writes, “The U.S. Senate approved the Sunshine Protection Act in March 2022, with the goal of making daylight saving time permanent starting in November 2023. If that happens, the U.S. will never again ‘spring forward’ or ‘fall back.’ Following the Senate’s vote and a recent hearing in the House…the subcommittee is now considering the issue. The full House of Representatives will need to vote in support of permanent DST before the bill goes to [the President’s] desk for his signature…Americans don’t like Congress messing with their clocks. However, the move to DST year-round makes a lot of sense. In an effort to avoid the biannual time change in spring and fall, some DST critics have suggested that returning to a permanent standard time would benefit society. But research shows that DST saves lives and prevents crime. Nearly 20 states have passed bills to make DST permanent, and the Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act to allow those laws to take effect – since any one state can’t move to DST unilaterally on dates different from the rest of the country.”

If lawmakers in Washington, DC, can unite to once and for all turn clocks forward, the lives of Americans will benefit in many ways.

1. DST saves lives.

Shifting daylight to the evening reduces vehicle fatalities during the evening rush hour. On average, evening rush hour traffic is twice as fatal as morning rush hour traffic. More congestion, more DUIs, more speed, and more children playing outdoors add up to more fatalities. Vehicle-on-pedestrian crashes involving a fatality skyrocket 300% when the shadows grow long and the sun sets. Over 340 lives per year could be saved by shifting more sunlight to the evening through permanent DST.

2. DST hinders criminal activity.

Most crimes are committed under cover of evening darkness. The extra daylight in the afternoon and early evening can help combat juvenile crime, which peaks after school and during the early evening.

3. DST conserves energy.

The late afternoon and evening sun reduces the need for light and heat.  Energy conservation was the driving force behind DST during WWI, WWII, and the energy crisis in the 1970s.

4. Permanent DST promotes sound sleep and health.

The yearly “spring forward” elevates heart attacks by 24% in the week after the change. An uptick has also been detected after the “fall back” change.

5. Recreation and commerce flourish when the sun is shining.

Sunlight spurs recreation and commerce while darkness hinders physical activity and shopping. Organizations committed to encouraging physical activity and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are pushing hard for permanent DST.

Accommodating the Shift in Sunlight with LED Landscape Lighting

The shift of sunlight from the morning to the evening calls for a re-evaluation of installation and design plans modeled to accommodate more darkness in the evening and more light in the morning.

1. System programming may need some tweaking.

Systems operating in response to signals from light sensors self-adjust according to the position of the sun. Timer-driven systems will definitely require some re-calibrations or replacement.

2. Consider safety, efficiency, and quality.

With more darkness in the morning, new fixtures may need to be added to facilitate safety on steps and walkways. Exercise venues, workstations, and vehicle entry points need a second look. Businesses that prepare work vehicles and load equipment will have additional lighting considerations for safety and efficiency. Small businesses that engage in assembly, manufacturing, fabrication, and mechanical work should give close attention to new scenarios created by an extra hour of darkness in the morning.

3. Most criminal activity occurs in the evening hours.

Security lighting will need to be adjusted in the event of permanent DST, and businesses should assess the situation now. Preparations taken now can help prevent stolen or damaged property in the future.

Consider scheduling a consultation with the professionals at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems. To learn more about landscape lighting design, contact the Alpharetta office by phone at (770) 691-1221 or by email at lindsey@southernlls.com.

LED Landscape Lighting Company Explains Lumens

 Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta designs installs, and services residential and commercial LED landscape lighting systems in the metro Atlanta area. Quantum leaps in LED lighting technology are empowering lighting professionals to create amazing lighting projects for homeowners in Marietta, GA.

The incandescent bulb was first patented by Thomas Edison in 1879 and commercialized soon after, changing the lives of people in the industrialized world forever. The light bulb efficiently and inexpensively expanded the hours of productivity beyond the limits of natural daylight. Though incandescent bulbs convert 94% of energy into heat and only about 6% into light, the invention was still a viable alternative to candles, oil lamps, and gas lighting. The energy output of the incandescent light bulb is measured in watts, which is named after the Scottish inventor James Watt (1736-1819). Though his name is memorialized on billions of lightbulbs, Watt’s greatest contribution was his perfection of the steam engine in 1776, dramatically accelerating the expansion of the industrial revolution in Britain and the American colonies.

Philips, a leader in the lighting industry, introduced the first 60-watt equivalent LED light bulb in 2010, revolutionizing residential and commercial lighting around the world. LED bulb technology converts 80% of energy to light while generating much less heat. Philips released a 75-watt bulb in 2011.

Important definitions

Before going any further in the discussion, a few definitions are needed to avoid confusion.

What is a “watt?”

A “watt” is a measure of energy consumption. It describes the amount of energy a device needs to fulfill a task. For example, a 60-watt incandescent light bulb needs a continuous flow of 60 watts of energy to produce the light brightness (lumens) advertised on the package and on the top of the bulb, which is about 800 lumens.

What is a “lumen?”

A lumen is a measure of light output or brightness. In practical terms, a lumen is the amount of light produced by a birthday candle at a distance of one foot. A watt is a measure of energy consumption, but a lumen is a measure of light output or brightness. A 60-watt incandescent light bulb requires 60 watts (units) of energy to produce a brightness of 800 lumens. In contrast, an LED light bulb that produces 800 lumens uses about 9 watts of energy or 85% less energy than the 60-watt incandescent bulb.

Comparison: traditional incandescent wattages to lumens to LED wattages

This raw comparison of traditional incandescent energy consumption (watts) to LED energy consumption (watts) to achieve the same lumens is illuminating. LED lights consume one-sixth the energy of their incandescent counterparts. Traditional halogen landscape lighting is almost as energy-hungry as incandescent lighting.

• Incandescent 40 watts = 450 lumens = LED: 6 watts
• Incandescent 60 watts = 800 lumens = LED: 9 watts
• Incandescent 75 watts = 1100 lumens = LED: 12 watts
• Incandescent 100 watts = 1600 lumens = LED: 17 watts
• Incandescent 150 watts = 2600 lumens = LED: 27 watts
• Incandescent 200 watts = 3000 lumens = LED: 32 watts

On the practical level, if a lamp or lighting fixture previously used a 60-watt incandescent bulb, look for a 730 to 750-lumen LED bulb. (Packaging still includes statements such as “equivalent to a 60-watt bulb.”)

Types of lighting fixtures

LED low-voltage landscape lighting professionals have a wide array of lighting fixtures at their disposal. Landscape lighting is not a “one-size-fits-all” effort.

• Spotlights and accent lights
• Path lights
• In-ground and in-grade good lights
• Floodlights
• Downlights
• Deck lights
• Step lights
• Hardscape lights
• Underwater lights
• Specialty lights

Each fixture has an intentional application that allows the designer to create elegant visuals that enhance the beauty of the home or business while making it more functional, safe, and secure.

Why choose Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta

The shift to LED from traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs is energy-efficient and cost-effective. The bulbs use much less energy and last 25,000 to 40,000 hours. Unlike filament lighting technologies, LED bulbs are durable and shock-resistant. LED fixtures are safe. They convert more energy to light and burn at a significantly lower temperature, making the fixture safe for pets and humans and less of a fire hazard. However, the transition to LED bulbs can be tricky. Make the switch now. Energy costs are rocketing out of sight. Avoid damaging fixtures. Avoid installing bulbs with the wrong lumens for the application.

Contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta for more information about landscape lighting installation. The office can be reached by phone at (678) 616-9166 or by email at lindsey@southernlls.com.

Pet-Friendly LED Landscape Lighting for Metro Atlanta Homes

 Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Alpharetta, GA, designs, installs, and services residential and commercial LED landscape lighting systems in the metro Atlanta area. The team of lighting professionals is committed to designing and installing landscape lighting that accentuates the beauty of the home and enhances curb appeal while also providing functionality, durability, longevity, safety, security, and energy efficiency. Because LED landscape lighting technology is low voltage, this type of lighting is very energy efficient, using only about 20% of the energy needed for traditional halogen lighting. The high efficiency of LED lighting also results in a lower operational temperature. The lower voltage and cooler operating temperature make a residential LED low-voltage landscape system very pet-friendly.

Traditional Halogen Landscape Lighting: Not Pet-Friendly

LED lighting technology is overtaking halogen technology as the first choice of homeowners for landscape lighting. Still, many homes have halogen lighting. Listed below are some key reasons why traditional halogen landscape lighting technology is not pet-friendly.

1. Halogen lighting is high voltage.

Operating at 120v, halogen lighting can cause severe electrical shock, topical burns, or cardiac arrest to a small to medium-sized dog. A recent report revealed the most popular dog breeds of 2022 in the metro Atlanta area: French bulldog, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, German shepherd, and the poodle. All dogs, not just Labradors, love to sniff, dig, paw, pull, and chew anything and everything in the yard. For those Alpharetta residents who own an English Mastiff, not much can withstand their bite force of 556 pounds per square inch, including landscape lighting fixtures.

These curious, playful pets can sustain electrical shock or arc burns to the nose and mouth from sniffing, chewing, gnawing, and pawing wires, fixtures, and panel boxes. Some breeds of dogs are temperamental and aggressive. A tingle, jar, or jolt may throw the pet into a rage that does not subside until the lighting fixture, wiring, and any panel boxes are ruined beyond repair or destroyed. Electrical shock or injury is also possible during wet weather or when the irrigation system activates.

2. Halogen lighting is very hot.

Halogen bulbs burn at temperatures high enough to cause brush fires if combustible debris such as leaves, pine needles, and mulch collect on or around the fixtures. Dogs love to sniff and lick almost everything, including landscape lighting fixtures that were just serviced and cleaned by the landscape lighting maintenance crew. If the fixture is hot, the unlucky pet can receive severe topical burns to the nose, lips, and tongue. Accidental contact with hot fixtures with other parts of the dog’s anatomy, such as the ears, tail, or paw pads, could require an emergency visit to the family veterinarian.

3. Bright lights may bother some pets.

A dog’s sense of smell can range from 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than humans, and these furry friends can hear up to four times farther away than humans. Canines can hear higher frequencies and differentiate between various sounds, including the family car from other vehicles in the neighborhood. Also, dogs can see almost as well as humans can. If traditional halogen landscape lighting is painful and offensive to people, dogs may find it just as annoying.

4. Brittle filaments and flimsy fixtures often land the family dog in the doghouse.

Halogen filaments are brittle and may be damaged by a sudden impact from a happy puppy bounding through a flower garden or water feature in a frenetic search for a tennis ball or favorite chew toy.

5. Some landscape lighting technologies may be loud.

Halogen and fluorescent bulbs may at times generate a low-volume buzzing noise. This low humming noise or “filament sing” can annoy or disturb dogs, who may respond with a fight or flight response. While LED bulbs can also occasionally produce a humming, buzzing, or whining noise, the issue can be remedied by replacing the offending LED bulbs or fixtures.

LED: A Pet’s Best Friend

LED landscape lighting technology is a pet’s best friend for several reasons.

1. LED technology is low voltage, reducing the potential for electrocution and arc burns from chewing wiring and fixtures.
2. The cooler operational temperatures of LED bulbs all but eliminate the risk of topical burns to a dog’s nose, lips, and tongue.
3. LED lighting is easier on a dog’s eyes. The sharp, crisp beam edges allow the light to be focused on the object to be illuminated while reducing light diffusion and glare. Neighbors will also appreciate the reduction in light pollution.
   Also, a cat’s eyes are six times more sensitive to light than humans. Excessively bright lights can cause eye pain, eye injury, partial loss of eyesight, or blindness. Other nocturnal animals may suffer the same discomfort and eye damage as cats when exposed to bright lights.

4. Outdoor LED lighting fixtures and bulbs are extremely durable. The all-metal, CNC-milled fixtures provided by Southern Landscape Lighting System are manufactured to withstand heavy punishment, such as would be the case with the English mastiff and its 556 psi jaw strength. The premium quality fixtures and durable bulbs keep the dogs out of the proverbial doghouse.
5. LED lighting technology is quiet and can operate silently. The homeowner and neighbors are spared the annoyance of fretful whining, constant baying, and endless barking while the system is operational. Everyone sleeps better, including the dogs.

For more information about designing and installing a pet-friendly outdoor landscape lighting system or upgrading an existing system to be more accommodating to pets and wildlife, contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems Alpharetta by phone at (770) 691-1221 or reach out to the team by email at lindsey@southernlls.com.

The Importance of Hiring a Landscape Lighting Design Professional

 The design, installation, and maintenance of a high-quality landscape lighting system is no small feat. A well-executed plan will:

• highlight the overall beauty of a home
• draw attention to unique architectural features that set the home apart
• improve functionality, safety, and security
• expand the usefulness of the property beyond daylight hours
• minimize light pollution and encroachment
• significantly reduce energy consumption and power bills
• provide many years of uninterrupted service
• achieve strong ROI on the initial investment
• enhance curb appeal
• elevate selling price while reducing time on the market

A shortcoming or failure in any one part of the lighting plan can spoil the experience and cause the homeowner to rethink spending the time and investing the money on landscape lighting. By hiring a competent lighting professional, Acworth, GA, homeowners can ensure that they receive a great landscape lighting experience.

A Professional Design

Efforts to plan and design a custom landscape lighting system without enlisting the expertise, skill, and artistic ability of a professional designer can result in aesthetic and technical deficiencies. First, every homeowner desires their lighting to have aesthetic appeal. To accomplish this goal, the lighting designer must place the light fixtures where the light will cast the perfect beam in the perfect location. Second, the lighting system must also function properly. Technical issues can plague a system from the very first day of operation. The knowledge and ability to design a wiring plan that does not overload the electrical system and still achieves code compliance requires professional expertise.

There are a variety of available landscape lighting fixtures, and each fixture has its own capabilities to meet specific lighting needs. The selection includes wall lights, accent lights, in-ground lights, and well lights. Each fixture offers different color temperature, brightness, and beam spread choices. A lighting design professional is well acquainted with the wide array of lighting fixtures, which component to deploy where, and how the fixtures can be arranged to work in harmony to create the desired aesthetic effect.

The Appropriate Tools

Tools especially suited to the outdoor LED lighting industry allow for the proper, safe, and efficient installation of a landscape lighting system. Most homeowners are unaware of the variety of tools needed in the lighting professional’s “toolbox.” The mechanical trencher is one example of the specialized tools or equipment utilized by the lighting technician. The manual excavation of the trenches where the wire is laid is highly inefficient and physically impossible for most people. Special tools are required to bore under patios, sidewalks, walls, and driveways. The lighting professional brings to the table the right equipment and skills needed to operate the tools. The tools are a force multiplier that significantly speeds up the installation process, reducing the time technicians are onsite for the installation.

Intensive Labor

The installation of a landscape lighting system is a mammoth task. Successful completion of the project requires the execution of carefully coordinated tasks along with intensive labor. A vigorous, seasoned professional and an experienced work crew may need a full day or two to completely install, test, and perfect a lighting system. The DIY homeowner may take or week or more on the system working in the evenings and a weekend or two. In some situations, the homeowner realizes the scope of the project and calls in the professionals. Regrettably, the work that has been completed must be corrected, repaired, or replaced. The additional work may cost more than a turnkey job because so much time was wasted resolving issues created by a well-intentioned homeowner. Professional proficiency ends up taking less time and costing less than a DIY project. Also, the knowledgeable professional will install at or above code compliance. The peace of mind the homeowner enjoys is priceless. Finally, a professional installation avoids the embarrassment of having a home inspector break the news a day before closing that the landscape lighting system is not up to code and all the wiring h must be reburied at the proper depth.

Professional Problem-Solving

The consummate landscape lighting professional installs the system according to industry-standard guidelines and building code regulations. The conscientious installer performs tests at each stage of the project to identify and resolve issues in each zone. An arsenal of troubleshooting tools and problem-solving skills increases efficiencies and avoids the need to reinstall some or all of the entire set of lights.

Peace of Mind and No Regrets

The professionals at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth offer homeowners the opportunity to see for themselves what their homes will look like under the lights. A night-time demonstration whets the appetite for what awaits the homeowner who entrusts the planning, design, installation, and maintenance to true professionals.

Contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth for more details about professional landscape lighting design, installation, and service. The Acworth office can be reached by phone at (678) 324-6842 or by emailing lindsey@southernlls.com.

The Art and Science of LED Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting Design

 For the lighting professionals at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta, the art and science of LED low-voltage landscape lighting involves both aesthetics and technology. The word ‘aesthetic’ comes from Ancient Greek and has to do with sensory perception. In some circles, aesthetics has come to mean the study of beauty and taste. Architectural landscape lighting is like painting with light and is its own art form. A few basic, concrete principles guide the lighting designer, but as is the case in much of what is perceived as ‘beautiful,’ the end product is the fruit of gifted, inspired, and knowledgeable lighting artisans staying within the boundaries of balance and dimension but pushing the limits, nonetheless, to achieve beauty. Lighting applications include uplighting, downlighting, bath/area lighting, and specialty lighting. These applications are useful for creating certain effects such as shadowing, highlighting, silhouetting, washing, and mirroring.

Sometimes, in a homeowner’s DIY landscape lighting project, chance will play into the creation of an aesthetically pleasing lighting effect. However, beautiful accidents are rare, and intentionality most often yields beautiful and tasteful lighting for homes in Marietta, GA.

Understanding Beam Spread

Lighting technology includes fixtures, wiring, software, physics, and geometry. The proper application and the desired effects must wrestle with the mechanics of beam spread. A lighting designer, then, is both an artist with a keen eye and a technician with an understanding of the physics and geometry of lighting techniques and technology.

Proper beam spread is determined by the width of the focal object being illuminated. For example, a tall, thin tree requires a narrower beam spread. The superiority of LED landscape lighting technology truly shines when it comes to beam spread. LED lighting technology provides a beam edge that is sharper, crisper, and more precise than traditional alternatives. The light beam holds its pattern, stays focused upon the object on which it is aimed, and does not diffuse or become washed out. The sharp, crisp light combined with the ability to manipulate light color enables the designer with expertise and technical skill to highlight key architectural features while selecting color temperatures that set the mood while simultaneously making the desired colors pop. The capability to illuminate with almost laser beam precision in tandem with the capacity to select specific color temperatures empowers the designer to create a nightscape that dances with vivifying drama.

Beam Spread Dimensions and Applications

• 10 or 15 degrees: Suitable for tall, thin porch columns or column-like trees
• 25 - 45 degrees: Great for medium height and medium width trees (General accent lighting often utilizes this beam spread.)
• 55 - 60 degrees: Best for shorter, wider landscape features such as a mature, well-shaped Japanese weeping maple, a broad-based fountain, or a holiday display such as a creche
• 120 degrees: Ideal for washing walls, custom murals, espalier, and other wide areas or objects

“Watts” Up with Lumens?

LED lighting technology that is accessible and affordable is a recent development. The first 60-watt equivalent light bulb was not available until 2010. Since then, mass production has improved product selection and greatly reduced pricing. LED light bulbs are standard in most homes. Along with the technology and product line came new terminology and usage. In the LED nomenclature, ‘lumen,’ previously referred to as wattage, is the new way lighting is expressed. A lumen is the unit of measurement for the brightness of light. LED lighting is measured in lumens. From the perspective of sustainability, LED lights provide the greatest output of lumens with the least expenditure of electricity. Lumen output should complement the object being illuminated. Errors in converting lumens to watts and vice versa can negatively impact the aesthetic effect of a LED landscape lighting design and installation.

A subtle, tasteful adjustment or a slightly nuanced design shift may have the neighbors asking, “What have you done to your home. It looks amazing!” The alteration may have been as simple as manipulating the warmth of the entrance lights so that the initial impact is more inviting and calming. Neighbors will find themselves driving the long way around the subdivision just to see what is new and to have their spirits illuminated by a beautifully lit home and landscape.

To learn more about landscape lighting design services in metro Atlanta, contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta by calling (678) 616-9166 or by emailing lindsey@southernlls.com.

How to Design a Landscape Lighting Plan That Creates a Brilliant Impression

A home beautifully illuminated with LED landscape lighting technology fully maximized is a wonder to behold. First-time visitors to the neighborhood ease off the accelerator and slow to a crawl just to let the grandeur of the visual display soak in. Captivated onlookers circle the block, thinking to themselves, “What would my home look like with landscape lighting?”

Neighborhood walkers slow their pace or stop and linger to gaze in awe upon the beauty and mystique of the well-illuminated home. The home exudes a warm, welcoming ambiance that tempts neighbors to stop in for a friendly visit by the pool or around the fire pit.

Any home can become an aesthetic wonder with a well-designed and installed landscape lighting plan. Well-designed landscape lighting communicates visual value every evening when the sun goes down and the lights come up. The combination of jaw-dropping, traffic-stopping curb appeal, and the personal satisfaction of enjoying one’s home into the evening is priceless.

The Science and Art of Landscape Lighting: Color Temperature

The achievement of beautiful landscape lighting is both an art and a science. Here are several core design principles that illuminate this point.

Color Temperature Sets the Tone

The average pedestrian strolling by a beautifully illuminated home does not realize that all white light is not the same. LED lights are available in a wide array of color temperatures. Color temperature is different from the Fahrenheit heat temperature of the LED bulb. LED light can vary in color temperature ranging from a warm white to pure white to cool white. These different temperature options enable the designer with a keen aesthetic eye to choose a light temperature that accentuates the colors in a home’s exterior and landscape.

Color temperature, a method to describe light from a lightbulb, is measured in degrees of Kelvin, abbreviated ‘K,’ on a scale of 1,000 to 10,000. Kelvin temperatures for residential and commercial lighting applications typically range from 2000K to 6500K. The lighting design specialist who understands kelvin light temperature can select the best light temperature to set the perfect tone and make the colors pop.

For a better understanding of the kelvin temperature scale, here are some color temperatures of common light sources:

• 1000-2000 K - Candlelight
• 2500-3500 K – Traditional incandescent lightbulb with a tungsten filament
• 3000-4000 K - Sunrise and sunset with a clear sky
• 4000-5000 K - Fluorescent lights
• 5000-5500 K - Electronic flash
• 5000-6500 K - Daylight with clear sky and an overhead sun
• 6500-8000 K - Moderately overcast sky

Warm white light (2000-3000k) ranges in color from orange to yellow-white in appearance and creates a warm, cozy, welcoming ambiance. Cool white or bright white color temperatures are found between 3100K and 4500K. Lightbulbs within this color range give off a neutral white light that may also have a slightly blue tint. The daylight color temperature of light is above 4500k; lightbulbs at this color temperature give off a blue-white light that mimics daylight and is crisp and invigorating. These light temperatures have applications both inside and outside the home.

Color Temperature Applications for Brilliant Lighting Effects

The applications listed below demonstrate the importance of knowing and understanding the science of color temperature. A skilled team of landscape lighting designers and installers can use color temperature principles to achieve a brilliant landscape lighting plan that enhances the client’s home and property.

Warm white:

• Enhances surroundings with warmer colors such as cedar or brown
• Brings out natural-colored walls and other types of stonework
• Highlights foliage with red, orange, or yellow tones

Pure white:

• Enlivens surroundings with dark materials, like deep black or gray slate and granite
• Energizes foliage with blue or purple tones

Cool white:

• Embellishes contemporary homes and structures
• Emboldens commercial structures and signage

Bright white:

• Accentuates evergreen trees and shrubs
• Makes commercial applications pop

 

Why Partner with Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth?

The lighting design and installation professionals at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, GA, embrace the reality that beautiful LED low-voltage landscape lighting requires knowledge of the science of lighting technology. They also understand that a fabulous lighting design transcends the physics of light and requires talent, artistic gifting, and an eye for aesthetic beauty.

Contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems to learn more about outdoor LED lighting. The Acworth office can be reached by calling (678) 324-6842 or by emailing lindsey@southernlls.com.

Marietta Landscape Lighting Images - 8/3/2022

 

Alpharetta Landscape Lighting Images - 8/3/2022

 

Landscape Lighting Acworth Images - 8/3/2022