LED Lighting for Wineries and Vineyards

 

Commercial Landscape Lighting Tips for Acworth, GA, Businesses

How LED Landscape Lighting Can Help Acworth Businesses Get Seen

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth designs, installs, and services residential and commercial outdoor LED lighting systems in the metro Atlanta area. Landscape lighting can positively impact the visibility and curb appeal of a business.

Commercial Landscape Lighting Tips for Local Businesses

The tips below are designed to help an Acworth, GA, business or other commercial entity reap the full benefit of their location through the use of a professionally designed and installed commercial landscape lighting system.

 

Tip #1. Identify existing signage opportunities and make each one stand out with LED low-voltage landscape lighting

In most commercial settings, a business is permitted to display code-compliant signage. Often this signage is limited in size, color, font style, and font size to comply with municipal sign ordinances and any guidelines put in place by the property owner or property management company. Regrettably, commercial signage is often too small to garner much vehicular or pedestrian attention. If the signage or marquis is noticed, features such as logo design and size, brand colors, font color, font type, and font size render the sign unreadable except at very slow vehicle speeds.

Savvy businesses maximize façade advertising space while staying code compliant. Some mercantile and professional complexes offer opportunities beyond façade signage, and these opportunities include streetside marquis with signs from resident businesses. Make sure this signage is lighted with landscape lighting for nighttime visibility. If the property management company will not outfit the marquis with adequate LED low-voltage landscape lighting, forge relationships with fellow tenants, and bring the management company an offer they cannot refuse. By working together, everyone benefits, including the prospective customers or clients who are now able to see and read the marquis that highlights all the outstanding businesses in the retail or professional complex.

Explore the limits of code-compliant signage and highlight with LED low-voltage landscape in the evening and in the morning. If the font size is “up to 8 inches,” make the fonts as large as possible. Avoid serifed fonts. The most readable colors under lights are black on white and dark blue on white, or vice versa. Simple is best; the goal is visibility and readability. Capture the attention of the pre-dawn morning traffic. LED low-voltage landscape lighting costs 80% less than traditional halogen lighting. By programming a morning lighting slot an hour or two before sunrise, a business can win market share from competitors left in the dark.

Tip #2. Create attractive curb appeal with great landscaping

A great landscape attracts attention and creates a positive first impression that can last for months in the mind’s eye of passersby. Once the landscape is in place, light it up with LED low-voltage landscape lighting. Give potential customers or clients something to see on their morning and evening drive-by.

Tip #3. Eliminate distractions and blind spots

Through the strategic use of landscape lighting techniques, a business can enhance visibility, minimize distractions, and eliminate blind spots. Spotlighting focuses attention on signage and key brand assets that identify the company. Landscape lighting also enables a business to highlight products on permanent display. Some façade signage features dimensional lettering, which adds depth to commercial signage. Unfortunately, box letters can create background shadows that render the words unreadable for several hours during the day. Landscape lighting may be able to mitigate shadow distortion during the day. Once the sun sets, landscape lighting can totally eliminate shadows, making signage highly visible and easily read by passing traffic.

Tip #4. Maximize organic advertising opportunities with LED low-voltage landscape lighting

Businesses that effectively target vehicle traffic generate leads, improve sales, and increase profits. Signage and product displays are affordable marketing strategies that can potentially reach every car that passes by the location. Tasteful landscape lighting empowers a business to capture the attention of drivers that pass by the location after dark. The ROI is incredible.

 

Tip #5. Contact a team of lighting professionals

At Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, GA, lighting technicians provide an onsite consultation to discuss improving the visibility, image, and impact of the location with LED low-voltage landscape lighting.

For more information about LED landscape lighting for businesses in the metro Atlanta area, contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth by calling (678) 324-6842 or emailing lindsey@southernlls.com.

How LED Landscape Lighting Can Help Acworth Businesses Get Seen

 

Micro Venue Lighting: LED Landscape Lighting for Backyard Brick Ovens

 Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, GA, designs, installs, and services residential and commercial outdoor LED lighting systems in the Metro Atlanta area. The team of professionals can design a completely new system or make adjustments to an existing system if the lighting needs of the client change due to an addition to the home or landscape, such as the addition of a backyard brick oven.

The origins of the backyard brick oven

The wood-fired brick oven has been found in many ancient cultures throughout human history. According to a leading manufacturer of wood-fired ovens, “Wood-fired brick ovens, also known as Masonry ovens, date back to 4,000 years ago. These ovens are famously known to be derived from the Ancient Roman period, although these ovens were greatly influenced by the Peruvian, Turkish, and Spanish cultures. The Masonry oven, sooner than later, was introduced to the Americas as the Beehive Oven, which was established during their colonial period. The Beehive oven, similar dome-shape to the beehives, was a popular cooking tool until the Industrial Revolution…”

Lighting design considerations

A survey of the various styles, shapes, and sizes of backyard brick ovens is no small undertaking. Backyard brick ovens are popular at all levels. As the price point of the home increases, the artistic and culinary sophistication of this amenity also increases. The backyard brick oven becomes a visual, aesthetic, and culinary centerpiece in some backyards. The rustic Mediterranean look blends with any landscape. The aroma of a pizza wafting through the neighborhood attracts a friendly community of onlookers seeking a slice of piping hot pizza fresh out of the oven. The cuisine, baked to perfection, satisfies any pallet.

Highlighting the aesthetics of the backyard brick oven

The brick oven has evolved into an iconic masterpiece of Mediterranean styling and taste in many metro Atlanta backyards. The rustic rounded shape of the baking dome deserves more than a place in the shadows of the backyard. A well-designed brick oven is often accessed by a paver walkway leading to a similarly cobbled apron surrounding the brick oven. The hardscape may feature a workstation for food preparation, a table, sitting benches, an herb garden, and a water feature. Though compact and intimate, the setting integrates nicely with the surroundings: warm, friendly, and delicious!

Landscape lighting considerations are complex, requiring technical expertise and an eye for taste. The time to consider how to light the feature in a way that enhances and highlights its architectural beauty is during the planning stages prior to construction. The installation of wiring, lighting fixtures, and any water or electrical cables need to be coordinated.

If the brick oven is not a part of the original landscape plan, the lighting designed to enhance the oven will need to be smoothly and beautifully integrated with other landscape lighting features in a way that is complementary rather than competitive. The technical aspects may be challenging, but a tasteful integration may be even more challenging.

Just as the construction of an exquisitely designed backyard brick oven is beyond the skills of most DIY homeowners, so too is the design and installation of a lighting plan that accentuates the beauty and mystique of the rustic Old World pizza oven.

Improving functionality with landscape lighting

Backyard brick ovens are growing in popularity in the Metro Atlanta area. As a new addition to the landscape layout, the feature must compete for a place in an already crowded space. Before investing in a brick oven, consult with a landscape architect for advice on the perfect location of the oven. Safety precautions require units to be at least ten feet away from any structure. Competition with existing hardscapes for a plot of ground often means the oven is more than ten feet away from the home. This distance from the home necessitates the installation of landscape lighting that makes the setting accessible when shadows are long, or the sun has completely set. Existing lighting may reduce the hazard. However, existing lighting may make matters worse. Once the location of the oven is resolved, contact the lighting professionals at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, GA, for lighting design and installation that makes the feature beautiful and functional.

Design and install the lighting in coordination with the progress of the landscape installation. If pavers, beds, benches, walls, and water features are involved in the brick oven project, the wiring should be laid down in the proper sequence to prevent portions of the landscape from being damaged during the lighting installation.

Consider the food preparation process involved in cooking in an outdoor brick oven. The process involves close proximity to flames. The desirable cooking temperature is in excess of 700 degrees Fahrenheit, hotter than most electric ovens. Illuminating a workspace with these high temperatures requires strategic spotlighting, the elimination of shadows and glare, and a well-lit food delivery platform. Uneven lighting, glare, a poorly lit tread area near the oven and shadows can lead to freshly cooked pizza ending up on the ground, trips and falls, and burns to the cooks and to bystanders.

The programmable versatility of LED allows the homeowner to instantly adjust the LED lighting to accommodate the food preparation process, safety concerns, and food delivery once the item is removed from the oven. Once everyone is served, the lighting can be adjusted to enhance the experience of eating delicious pizza and sipping a glass of fine wine.

A landscape lighting system is carefully designed and finely tuned to enhance aesthetics, functionality, safety, and security for the location. The effective and beautiful illumination of an addition such as a small backyard brick oven needs the technical skill and keen eye of a professional landscape lighting professional.

For more information on LED landscape lighting, contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth by phone at (678) 324-6842 or by emailing lindsey@southernlls.com.

Marietta Lighting Company Offers a Landscape Lighting Guide for the Holidays

 The landscape lighting team at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta recognizes the significance of the holiday season that rolls around during the last several months of each year. The home becomes a hub of entertainment and activity. Landscape lighting plays a central role in making the home and yard warm, inviting, functional, safe, and secure.

A Landscape Lighting Checklist

This helpful checklist will help Marietta, GA, homeowners maximize curb appeal and create a magical ambiance with LED low-voltage landscape lighting.

#1. Greet guests with inviting curb appeal

Stunning curb appeal is a very powerful influencer any time of the year, but especially during the holiday season. Great curb appeal creates an ambiance that sets the stage for an evening of entertainment, community, and celebration. That positive first impression, cast within just a few seconds of experiencing the beautifully illuminated landscape, melts inhibitions. The total landscape package, skillfully and beautifully lit, issues a warm welcome to guests, invite participation, raises hopeful expectations, and heightens anticipation. Exquisite landscape lighting calms, soothes, and warms the heart. Nightscape lighting is evocative and magical; it can charm, invigorate, and energize. A myriad of visceral and emotional responses accompanies the visual experience of an artfully crafted LED landscape lighting plan.

#2. Highlight any seasonal additions to the landscape

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year afford the homeowner ample opportunities to adorn the yard, entranceway, porch, and the home’s façade with seasonal decor. The seasonal accents liven up the landscape, add dimension, and create interest. Some ornamentation may require an additional fixture or two or an adjustment of existing fixtures. When well executed, an illuminated Santa and reindeer scene mesmerizes onlookers, especially children. A tastefully lit creche evokes warm, thoughtful reverence. Landscape lighting enhances the visual power of the scenery.

#3. Spotlight entertainment festivities in the backyard outdoor living space

The holidays bring celebration and entertainment. The guest list may expand beyond the expected number, overtaxing outdoor living spaces with a large number of visitors. Sufficient and well-placed lighting can facilitate functionality, and a few adjustments or additions may be all that is needed. Some venues and focal points of activity to assess for functional lighting include:

• patio
• firepit or fireplace
• grill
• outdoor kitchen (food prep and serving areas)
• backyard brick oven
• swimming pool
• backyard playground
• crowd overflow areas in the backyard

#4. Focus on safety

Prior to an event or gathering involving outside venues and first-time guests, take a few minutes to conduct a nighttime inspection of the primary areas of activity. Items of concern include glare, excessive brightness, blind spots, shadows, defective bulbs, damaged fixtures, and misdirected beams.

Take note of any additions to the landscape or hardscape which have not yet been illuminated. If possible, schedule an appointment to expand the system to include the new additions. Often, the holidays include visits from elderly friends and relatives. Make sure benches and other seating are well-lit. Handrails, steps, and low stone walls that do double-duty as sitting benches need adequate lighting. Walkways with subtle changes in grade or elevation constitute a high-risk hazard for the elderly with low vision, sensitivity to glare, or night blindness. The absence of steps does not necessarily negate the need for lighting. In fact, the need for illumination may increase in order to mitigate the risk factor of a stumble or fall. Consider the temporary installation of high-visibility signage to warn strollers of the upcoming hazard. The signage can be removed once guests have departed.

#5. Beam in on security

During the inspection mentioned above, also consider issues of security. Areas under camera surveillance should be adequately illuminated. Eliminate shadows. Note areas where the glare is so intense that it provides criminals a place to hide. Review the video footage from the inspection. Look for blind spots.

#6. Be aware of light pollution

When making fine adjustments to an existing landscape lighting system or adding fixtures to accommodate new hardscapes, consider the neighbors. Festivities, especially year-end celebrations, can run long into the night and sometimes to the dawn of the next day. Consider dimming or shutting off unneeded zones to reduce the light that may disturb neighbors. Where safety is a factor, keep the lights turned on. Programmable lighting technology affords the homeowner a wide array of lighting options.

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta, GA, designs, installs, and services LED low-voltage landscape lighting in the metro Atlanta area. The lighting professionals offer a free onsite consultation, and nighttime demonstrations are available for customers ready to move forward with a lighting project. Contact the design specialists at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems to schedule an inspection and evaluation of an existing system, especially before the holidays arrive.

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

What Homebuyers Want and How LED Low-Voltage Lighting Can Help Them

 Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Alpharetta, GA, designs, installs, and services residential and commercial LED landscape lighting systems in the metro Atlanta area. The lighting team is dedicated to casting homeowners, prospective homebuyers, and professional home builders in the best light possible.

The National Association of Home Builders recently published a summary of a larger study involving 3,247 prospective and current homebuyers. The survey, conducted within the context of the pandemic, yielded key findings that have implications for professional home builders and the residential LED landscape lighting design and installation industry.

The purpose of the extensive study was to provide accurate, valid answers to the question, “What do homebuyers want in the post-pandemic era of homebuying?” The article describes the effect sheltering in place had on the centrality and importance of the home: “The home was suddenly catapulted into a new level of prominence; its purpose often expanding beyond just a functional dwelling to many other non-traditional roles, such as office, gym, or school.” The study introduced questions aimed specifically at measuring the impact of the crisis on home buyer preferences.

Below are some key findings of the study that have a direct bearing on landscape lighting and how landscape lighting can put professional home builders in a better light.

#1. Preferences have changed.

Households with a remote worker and/or virtual students are most likely to be affected by the pandemic: 43% of households with at least one remote worker and one virtual student affirm that their housing preferences have been altered by the pandemic, compared to only 9% of those with neither teleworkers nor virtual students.

The landscape lighting connection: The home has become a terminal for work, school, entertainment, recreation, and community. With more time spent at home, more homebuyers will explore curb appeal improvement options, which include landscape lighting.

#2. Outdoor amenities that expand the outdoor living space figure prominently on the homebuyer’s wish list.

Seventy-five percent or more of homebuyers want the following outdoor features: exterior lighting, a patio, a front porch, a rear porch, and a deck. The desire for other exterior features, including an outdoor kitchen, outdoor fireplace, or built-in grill, increases significantly with a corresponding increase in the price point of the home. Homebuyers are willing to fund projects that expand and enhance outdoor living spaces.

The landscape lighting connection: A patio, deck, outdoor kitchen, or fireplace needs landscape lighting to maximize safety. Also, landscape lighting extends the time available to enjoy outdoor living spaces. Activities can continue well into the evening hours.

#3. Homebuyers want energy efficiency.

Homebuyers are concerned (78%) about the environmental impact of their homes. Over half of homebuyers (57%) are willing to spend an extra $5,000 upfront to save $1,000 per year on utilities.

The landscape lighting connection: Efficient exterior lighting finds its way into the top five most wanted energy-efficient features. Lighting methods that use less energy than traditional bulbs are important to more than 70% of homebuyers. Converting a traditional halogen landscape lighting system to an LED low-voltage landscape lighting system makes complete sense to cost-conscious homebuyers who value sustainability. Currently, LED landscape bulbs last anywhere from 25,000 to 40,000 hours, depending on the situation. Homebuyers can save money while saving the Earth.

#4. Technology is a top priority.

Energy efficiency and home security are top tech priorities. A programmable thermostat, security cameras, video doorbell(s), wireless home security system, and a multi-zone HVAC system top the tech list.

The landscape lighting connection: A landscape lighting system enhances the effectiveness of a security system or other home security technology. Discreet, strategically positioned landscape lighting is necessary if a home security system is to provide the desired protection. Dangerous shadows and poorly lit walking paths can become hazardous.

#5. Homebuyers are conscientious about first impressions.

Homebuyers are thinking about the color of their front door. 24% want a white door, while 17% prefer that the door be brown.

The landscape lighting connection: Careful thought about the color of the front door indicates that the homebuyer is interested in curb appeal and especially the first impression a home evokes. An elegant, professionally designed, and installed LED low-voltage landscape lighting system is a pivotal factor in creating that breathtaking first impression.

#6. Homebuyers are thinking multi-generationally and with an accessibility view.

Multi-generational housing is a distinct preference for minorities.

• 53% of Hispanics
• 50% of African Americans
• 46% of Asians

In terms of accessibility, the top five most wanted features are non-slip floor surfaces and an entrance without steps. Sixty percent of homebuyers see these two amenities as essential or desirable.

The landscape lighting connection: The presence of older family members in the home necessitates that the yard is illuminated enough to be easily navigable. LED landscape lighting also complements accessibility features by making sure that walkways and entrances are safe and well-lit.

#7. Clean and bright are top priorities.

According to the study, the following features came in at the top of the list: “A laundry room and exterior lighting are the two most wanted features in a home (both rated essential or desirable by 87% of buyers). The Most Wanted List also includes two other exterior features: a patio (82%) and a front porch (75%)…”

The landscape lighting connection: Homeowners themselves express great interest in exterior lighting, as well as in patios and porches, which would benefit from the application of a lighting system.

Putting the Homebuyer and the Homebuilder in the Best Light

Since nearly 60% of homebuyers want new home construction, professional homebuilders should consider including LED low-voltage landscape lighting in their building plan to ensure the homebuyer is truly satisfied with the final product. The best time to involve a professional landscape lighting designer in the homebuying or homebuilding process is at the very beginning of the process when negotiations are taking place, and plans are being drawn.

For more information about outdoor LED lighting design, installation, and service, contact the Alpharetta office by phone at (770) 691-1221 or email at lindsey@southernlls.com.

Landscape Lighting for Backyard Brick Ovens

 

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.