Light Up the Night! Quick
Facts about Outdoor Lighting
by: Debbie Rodgers
When the days start to get shorter, the darkness may drive us
inside from our porches, patios or decks. Don’t despair – outdoor
lighting can lengthen the day and dramatically extend the potential
of our outdoor living spaces. The first step, as with any project, is to plan. How do you want
to use this space after dark, and what lighting will you need?
Lighting can be summarized in four categories:
* Security lighting is needed in highly vulnerable areas of
your property. Because it is bright and often motion activated,
keep
it away from the living areas so that it’s not distracting.
Alternatively, have your security lighting on a manual on/off
switch so that you can override automatic illumination.
* Task lighting is for performing specific activities such as grilling or walking
safely up and down steps and along paths. You should place task lighting between
your eyes and the object that needs to be lighted and should take care that
it does not glare. An overly bright light will blind rather than guide.
* Accent lighting adds drama or can highlight an unusual feature. Uplighting,
for example can illuminate an interesting piece of statuary. Silhouetting,
achieved by placing a light between an object and a fence or wall, dramatically
displays an unusual tree or bush.
* General or ambient lighting provides overall illumination
so that people feel comfortable and look good. The most magical
of lighting imitates
what is found in nature – moonlight or starlight. Moonlighting is produced
by hanging lights in mature trees, pointing downward to produce a dappled effect,
as if the area were lit by a full moon. The look of starlight can be achieved
through the use of flickering candles, sprinkled here and there throughout
the space, or by suspending tiny lights in the branches of a tree to create
a sparkling night time canopy. Of course, there are many other attractive types
of light – some just plain fun!
No matter what type of lighting you choose, it will be powered
by one of these sources.
* Fire is the oldest source of light and considered by some to
be the most romantic. Flames, produced by candles or oil-burning
lamps, are warm and flattering to faces, and have a hypnotic effect
that induces calm and relaxation. Firelight on reflected surfaces
such as ponds, mirrors and even gazing balls is a particularly
effective way to create atmospheric lighting and enhance the impression
of light.
Try snaking a row of candles along a garden path or suspending
them in glass jars from branches. An array of tiki burning torches
can add an exotic touch to your patio area. Although torches are
designed to withstand a reasonable amount of wind, it’s best
to provide as much protection as possible to any open flame and
never leave one unattended.
* Solar-powered lights are an easy and portable choice for
outdoor lighting. Some lights have a collector panel that can
be concealed
behind shrubbery, while others contain their own energy cell
and absorb the sun’s rays even on a cloudy day.
* Battery-operated and rechargeable units are also wireless and very portable
while in use.
* Line-powered or hard-wired lights are connected to the electrical system
of your home. Weatherproof lamps may be plugged directly into an outdoor
socket. Wire for lighting that is further from the house runs through buried
conduits.
The most permanent of outdoor lighting, it is also the most expensive,
sometimes costing in the tens of thousands of dollars. It should be installed
by a licensed
electrician.
* Low-voltage units also connect to the electrical system of your
home, but are fitted with a transformer that reduces the electrical
current from 120
volts to a safer supply of 12 volts. Although they are less durable
than line-powered fixtures, they are also a lot less expensive and
are ideal for a small outside
space where only short cable runs are required. They are designed for
an easy do-it-yourself installation.
Whatever your light source, keep these tips in mind:
* Less is more in lighting. Be subtle: try to hide lights where
possible and use a low watt bulb.
* Avoid setting lights in straight lines up and down paths,
drives or patio edges. This “airport runway” effect
is a very common error.
* Yellow lights are unflattering to both people and plants. Where possible,
install blue-white bulbs or purchase daylight-blue filters for your fixtures.
* Position outside lights where they are easily accessible for changing light
bulbs. Investing in long-life outdoor bulbs will make the maintenance even
easier.
* With any unit requiring electricity, use the protection of ground fault circuit
interrupters (GFCI) on all outdoor circuits.
Don’t let the sun dictate the use of your outdoor space.
Get outside after dark and light up the night!
About The Author Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise Porch,
and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces
that nurture and
enrich them. Visit her on the web at www.paradiseporch.com and
get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in
your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com
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