6 Tips to Consider for Outdoor Lighting

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Outdoor lights are great for not only highlighting the home’s landscape and architecture, but can give an extra measure of security and makes it easier to navigate paths at night. There are plenty of different styles of lights so it makes sense to carefully consider the options. Here are six useful tips for selecting the right outdoor lights:

Lighting plan

Start the process by creating a lighting plan. This can help to identify the areas at the front, sides and back of the property that can benefit from nighttime illumination. It is possible to walk around the property in the evening with a flashlight to determine how the extra light will impact the landscape and exterior features of the home. Also, make sure to find the isolated and dark areas that could have an impact on safety.

Layer the light

The outdoor lights can vary from accent, task and ambient. It is best to use the right type of lighting to match the specific application. The accent is a decorative type of light, such as the table lamp and can complement the task and ambient lighting to create the stylish look. The task light is used for a specific application such as lighting up the area around an outdoor grill. Ambient light is the preferred choice for creating the general illumination.

Energy saving

Energy saving fixtures are appreciated by those that wish to save money and conserve energy. A reliable choice for this is the energy-efficient LED bulbs that emit a similar quality of light as the incandescent bulbs, but have the benefit of using nearly 75% less energy. On average, an LED light has the potential to last up to 40,000 hours, which can amount to nearly 10 years of regular nightly use.

Solid construction

The preferred light fixtures for the outdoor environment are constructed in weather-resistant materials. A preferred material is able to handle all climates, while also being UV resistant and non-corrosive.

Controlling the light

There are several options to control the lights, such as the timers, motion sensors and dimmers. The timers and motion sensors are great for saving energy because they only activate when lighting is needed. Also, there are the photocells that run on solar energy, and don’t cost anything to use beyond the initial purchase price.

Protect the night sky

A further consideration with the choice of light includes being a good neighbor and placing the lights in areas that aren’t likely to impact the property next door.

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Source by Leo Eigenberg