subject: How to Create a Warm, Safe Night Home Exterior [print this page] How to Create a Warm, Safe Night Home Exterior
Curbside appeal is very important to a home for providing a warm, inviting and safe entrance to visitors, and nighttime is no exception. Many homeowners don't take the full scope of the home's exterior into consideration when installing outdoor lighting.
Some focus mainly on security and severely over illuminate. This can cause the house to look more like a high security prison than a home, as well as cause pain to the eyes of those who approach or pass by.
Some only provide basic lighting around porch or garage, neglecting both security and safety in the process. This can cause apprehension in visitors upon approaching a dimly lit and shadowy entrance, as well as cause accident issues.
Low-voltage light fixtures are ideal for outdoor use as they provide sufficient light and limit energy cost. They can add just the right lighting touch on a variety of landscaping needs and are generally easy to install.
Three Basic Purposes of Exterior Lighting
Exterior lighting in the front of the home should address three basic purposes. First it should illuminate your landscape in a complementary fashion. The strong points of your home's appearance should be adequately highlighted at night using spotlights, in-ground low-voltage lights, as well as various other lighting options. However, remember not to overkill.
Next, lighting is used to adequately illuminate the front entrance so that visitors can easily see where to approach your home. Harsh lighting is not required. Fluorescent options are now widely available which radiate a bright light that is easy on the eyes. Fixtures can be purchased in traditional coach lantern styles, modern mini lantern styles, or appealing dome light styles.
Safety, of course, is the last purpose of exterior lighting. The home should be sufficiently lit in order to expose dark areas and provide a clear path to the entrance of your home for approaching visitors. If there are steps or sharp turns in the pathway, these areas should be properly lit in order to avoid accidents.
Outdoor Lighting Requirements
A weatherproof outlet with a GFI (ground-fault interrupter) is typically required for outdoor lighting fixtures due to the possibility of electrocution in wet conditions. GFIs are generally not installed in older homes, so this should be checked before installing outdoor lights. It is recommended to get a professional electrical contractor to install or upgrade any 110 volt connections.
Coming up with a good outdoor lighting strategy isn't always easy. A licensed landscape contractor can greatly assist with placement, beautification, visual effects and home safety. In no time, your home can be a warm, inviting and safe place for all to visit, or appreciate when passing by.
