subject: Benefits and Basics of Landscape Lighting [print this page] Benefits and Basics of Landscape Lighting
Landscapes of almost any size and shape can be lit effectively with low-voltage landscape lighting. It's an easy, customizable and cost-effective way to help your yard shine day and night, year-round. The basic benefits to landscape lighting include:
Added security: Darkness itselfcould make your home vulnerable to intruders, and well-lit yards provide greater visual capabilities. Also, you want your guests to reach your home safely.
Increased home value: Add instant curb appeal and beautify your landscape.
Easily and safely installed: Low-voltage landscape lighting doesn't need an electrician or inspection and, unlike some other electrical work, it's safe to install.
Flexibility factor: As your outdoor dcor changes, so can the lighting. Whether you decide to expand your yard's lighting or cut back for a minimalist look, it's easily adjusted to fit your needs.
When designing your layout, careful planning can eliminate potential installation issues. Look at your yard at night to decide where you need more light.
While you're brightening the basics, decide what else you'd like to light. A number of popular, professional-looking techniques can create dramatic and attractive designs. For example, your home's facade is an ideal lighting subject, but a spotlight could simultaneously back-light trees and plants for a silhouetted effect or front-light them to showcase the plants. Other popular outdoor lighting options include:
Pond lights for up-lighting through trees out of a water garden
Rail mount or step lights for a deck, porch and patios
Path lights for problematic areas and protection against potential liability
Flood lights mounted in the ground or on a wall surface or tree
When you've chosen your lights, you'll need to power them. Your transformer must be equal to or higher than the total watts you'll use. If you think you may add fixtures to your system in the future, a higher wattage transformer is recommended.
Transformers vary in style and quality, so choose one that fits your lighting plan. An optional photocell is both an energy-saving measure and a security precaution if you leave town. Most transformers are installed on an outside wall and are either hardwired or plugged into an outlet. And some models can be buried in the ground for an out-of-sight application, like Kichler's in-ground transformer.
Be sure to install the transformer near a power source or outlet, and as close to your lights as possible to minimize cable runs.
Your landscape is your pride and joy. Give it the look it deserves with the properlandscape lighting. Be careful, though, not to over-light your landscape, since too much light might prove unattractive. Just be creative and truly light what you want.
