Exterior lighting for your home is a must-have. Not only does it provide an aesthetic quality but it can also be a sound investment in safety and security. In fact, there are so many reasons to have lighting on your property, it’s almost crazy NOT to have any at all. We’ll discuss the benefits of exterior lighting, the various types available and give a few tips.
Exterior Lighting Benefits
Exterior lighting is just as important as illumination inside your home. It brightens and beautifies while also providing a measure of security. For instance, having a lit walkway at night is that fine line between tripping and falling or remaining unharmed.
This is also true for areas around pools, backyards, patios, decks and other places where people frequent. Another component to safety is in how lights deter criminals. Most nefarious characters will always avoid being in plain sight. Having an outdoor light will, at the very least, make them think twice.
Also known as landscape lighting, the aesthetics of outdoor illumination are worth the investment alone. It can highlight architectural embellishments not easily seen at night and/or are easy to overlook during the day. It can also draw attention to the wonderful landscaping elements splaying the property, providing a special kind of ambiance.
Types of Landscape Lighting
The following list describes all the different types of landscape lighting available. Not every home will require each type, but they are important to mull over prior to deciding which one to install.
· Pathway: Pathway lights allow for eye-catching beauty while also ensuring people can see where they’re going. It creates a sharp contrast in the dark, which translates to safety and security. Pathway lights are excellent along walkways, driveways or any other path on the property.
· Uplighting: Uplighting is a specific technique where a light fixture sits on the ground and directs illumination upwards. It’s a very inviting and warm ambiance, enhancing the aesthetic quality of your home. It can also act as a safety measure while also increasing the value of your property. It’s wonderful for things like trees, shrubs, fountains and statues.
· Downlighting: Downlighting is when a fixture sits atop a pole, the roof, a tree or some other height and shines down on pathways, décor, gardens, pools and driveways. It’s great in preventing nighttime accidents, deterring intruders and adding that extra panache to your property.
· Accent Lighting: To illuminate singular objects, accent lighting is the way to go. It can incorporate uplighting or downlighting to highlight shrubs, trees, walls, facades, boulders and many other objects.
· Security Lighting: Security lighting is a necessity for any home. These can involve motion sensors so as to surprise would-be intruders, thereby preventing them from committing some crime on your property. These go well by the garage, doors, the yard or around windows.
Valuable Tips
When enhancing your home’s curb appeal, consider several factors. First will be the design and the placement of the fixtures. Do you want to create dramatic shadows? Do you want a more subtle illumination to bring out particular features? Think about what you want to do very carefully.
Then, consider the cost of having electricity outside because it’s going to mean a power bill hike. The kinds of bulbs you’ll use such as LED, halogen or tungsten are going to come into this as well as employing timers or sensors.
Maintenance is yet another consideration, so prepare for bulb replacement and fixture cleaning. In other words, you’ll want to keep a schedule of regular maintenance and upkeep so they stay beautiful and functional.
Get an Expert Quote Today
Irrespective of the considerations enumerated above, never DIY. Unless you are a qualified electrician, you should always hire a professional to install outdoor lighting. They’ll do it right the first time and it will remove a lot of frustration for you.
Check out The Perfect Light and their services. They provide a free quote and give assistance with designs, fixtures and so much more. For almost 15 years, they’ve guided customers to the right kinds of lighting and proper installation techniques. You have nothing to lose by speaking with a qualified technician today.
