While many people like to display there fine jewelry and china, growing numbers of people are lighting there most precious investment, their home.
Some homeowners hire professionals to design and install their light fixtures while other individuals like to grab their tools and get dirty. While the approach of the individuals may be different both homeowners want the same result, to make their house look spectacular and dramatic at night.
The three most common reasons people chose to light there home are for esthetics, function and security.
To accomplish this, the installer and the homeowner need to have knowledge of the basic concepts in lighting their home. The initial phase in any project is to determine what you want the end result to look like. Once you determine what to light then the real work begins. To begin with there are two types of electrical circuitry that can be used, ‘Line’ voltage (120v) which is your house current or ‘low’ voltage (12v). With a low voltage lighting system a transformer is required to convert the current from 120v to 12v. Another consideration in choosing the type of lighting system is the size of the area, its distance and its install ability. While both systems have their pros and cons a 12v system has the advantage in ease of installation and can be installed by the homeowner, while typically a 120 volt project requires a licensed electrician.
Choosing fixtures tend to be one of the most confusing parts in deciding on an outdoor lighting system. With all of the different manufacturers, styles, materials, shapes and finishes it can be difficult deciding which fixture to install. To begin with, the fixture needs to be compatible with either the line or low voltage system you decide to install. There are a few different styles of light fixtures you can use. Post type fixtures tend to be the tallest and give off the most area light. Path type fixtures tend to be low to the ground and are designed to keep light at knee height. Bollard type fixtures are about 3 feet tall. This type of fixture tends be a cross over between the post and path light fixtures. You also have spot lights, flood lights, water lights, and deck and pier mount fixtures.
Keeping in mind the concept of what you intend to light, fixture placement is a very important part of the lighting design. The lights need to accomplish what you want them to do. For example; path type fixtures should lead people, they should illuminate steps, grade changes, low plants and shrubs. Spot lights highlight taller plant material, walls, garden sculptures and water features. These and other style lights should not shine on adjacent properties or cause glare. Light pollution is a common suburban problem and with proper fixture choice and alignment can be avoided in a lighting system.
One of the most versatile fixtures used in a lighting design is the spot light. This simple fixture can be placed in a variety of locations and can provide many different lighting effects. It can be located on a tree to down light an area. A typical location of this fixture would be above a set of branches aiming down to imitate a moon light affect. It can be placed under a tree to dramatically up light the branches and trunk. You can highlight a garden feature by placing a fixture in front of a plant or shrub or silhouette it by directly lighting the wall behind it.
You can’t forget the lamp; this is the part of the fixture that does all the work. Different lamps can have different brightness levels (20watts, 60watts, 100watts etc.) They can have different lamp lives. The current availability of LED lamps have lamp lives of 25,000+ hours about 18 years. They can also have different color discharges, - 2800 kelvin to 5000 kelvin. The Lower the kelvin number the warmer the fixture. Halogen is bright white 3000 kelvin, incandescent is warm white 2800 kelvin and mercury vapor is blue green 5000 kelvin. While LED lamps may cost more they use substantially less electric.
Use light as a paintbrush, and remember these different colors can dramatically affect the look of the plants and trees.
It is also necessary to balance your lighting design. Try not to over light an item or area. In keeping with the adage ‘less is more’ you might keep some areas dark. A simple technique that adds interest to what you want to highlight. Know the equipment you are planning to use and the process by which it should be installed. Visit a lighting showroom and ask questions or use the internet to gather information. Use your imagination and have fun.
A well planned lighting project will add beauty and security to your most precious asset your sparkling gem.
Elizabeth Bibla is a Landscape Architect and a principle in The Outdoor Lighting Company Inc.