Patio Lighting Creates Elegant Mood
Patio lighting helps create added value to your home while also generating an elegant and tasteful mood to your patio. The added value created by the installation of patio lighting makes this project an easy project to justify having done.
Patio Lighting Creates Added Value To Your Home
Patio and outdoor lighting can add a large range of benefits to your property and quality of life. It can enhance the look of your home and create a safer environment for you, your family, and guests.
Patio Lighting Considerations
Some things to consider when choosing your patio and outdoor lighting in general include:
- Design
- What to highlight
- Ambience
- Safety
- Security
- Cost
- Electrical usage
- Lighting techniques used
Types of Patio Lighting
- Brick lights
- Step lights
- Planter lights
- Lantern lights
- Spotlights or flood lights
- Rope lights
Patio lights can either be hard wired into the electric system in your house or you can get solar lights which will recharge during the day and come on when it gets dark.
Patio Lighting Electrical Costs
Depending on the type of lighting you need, such as patio, deck, driveway, and accent lighting, will determine the type of bulb, the amount of power used, and the cost of the electric bill. There are also four different ways to help control the cost by using different methods of turning them on. They are a timer, switch, dimmer, and motion sensor. Setting your lights to come on when it gets dark and off when everyone goes to bed can be a hassle free way to ensure that they do not get left on all night. Using a switch will allow you to turn them on only when they are needed and a dimmer will help to control how bright they are which is not only good for the electricity bill but also for the relaxed atmosphere you are trying to create. Installing a motion sensor is great for security and safety and will also help to make sure that the lights are only on when people are around to use them.
To further reduce energy costs, consider using energy star rated bulbs which use less electricity and will last up to 10 times longer than typical incandescent bulbs, such as compact florescent (CFL's) or low voltage lighting where one 60 watt string can light up to 100 feet. There is also the option to use solar lighting which charge all day in the sun and will come on at dusk. While solar lights they are slightly more expensive initially, but they do not require transformers, wiring, and will not run on your electricity grid.
Designing Patio Lighting
This a very important step as it will determine the final overall look and feel of the space so take your time with it and choose what features you want to highlight and how you want to do it. There are many different lighting techniques that can be used including:
- Step lighting - either placed in steps, underneath the railings, or on the vertical posts
- Water feature lighting - from white lights to colors either on the outside of the feature or under the water
- Moon Effect - lights placed in the tops of trees to create a moon light effect
- Silhouetting - by placing a light behind the object and shining a it on a surface behind will create a silhouette
- Shadow - place the light in front of the object and aim it towards a wall to create a shadow, highlighting things like plants, sculptures, and interesting architecture
- Downlighting - lights pointed downward affixed to a wall or other vertical structure
- Spread Lighting - downward pointed but a shorter range, perfect for lighting flowers, shrubs, paths and walkways
For the best combination of form and function of the outdoor lighting, a combination of lighting designs and energy saving techniques should be utilized.
For help choosing, designing, or lighting repair & installation, click here to find a handyman in your area.
