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Creating A Theme With Garden Lights

Adding garden lights to one’s garden provides an individual with a vast array of choices and opportunities. The costs can be vastly different from very affordable kits that one installs on their own to lights that require transformers, electricians, and landscapers to install. For an individual who is not sure if they are going to take on this project on their own or hire a professional these tips may help in the decision making process.

Deciding which areas in the garden should be highlighted when it is dark is the first step towards installing garden lights. An easy way to find out where the lights should be located around these areas is to take pictures from the angle that the lights will be installed. This is much easier than trying to move the lights and will allow an individual more flexibility in deciding how many lights to use in specific areas of the garden.

Part of the process of installing lights is also identifying and lighting the perimeter of the home. Those areas that are not well lit at night or have older lights and fixtures should be re-configured for the newer lower voltage halogen lights. Halogen security lights burn for up to 5, 000 hours and can have additional safety features built in which will protect a homeowner and the property.

In a region where the sun does not shine year round solar lights will work in areas that do not depend on light at night. One would not want to use solar lighting exclusively on a walk or pathway if the lights were not going to work effectively. However, most of the solar pathway lights are more affordable than low voltage lighting and one may want to consider distributing them evenly along a pathway so that there is always light available.

Using a plot map of the property will allow one to mark those areas that low level lights should be installed, up lighting should be placed, and pathway lights should be. It will be easier to decide if conduit is needed for the amount of lights that are used if it is drawn on a plot map first. In addition one will be able to draw a diagram for placement of the conduit when it is ready to be installed.

Pathways and steps in the garden should have low voltage garden lights and create pools of light. For safety and effect each pool should overlap with a soft glow of light. When selecting lights to be used on pathways and steps be sure that no light is coming from the top of the encasement but rather only reflects on the path. Getting low voltage pathway and stair lights that have the proper casing to be weather resistant and provide the correct lighting will be a little more expensive but well worth the extra cost.

Up lights will provide the items in your garden with the attention that you want them to have. These lights are generally low voltage but brighter than the lower lights that are used for ground shrubbery. Some individuals prefer to install these lamps with the lights directed towards boulders or other natural elements so that the lay of shadow and light provides visitors with a different look in the garden than they would see during the day.

Down lights are more expensive than traditional porch lights. However they produce the same effective. Down lights do not emit glare on the street or sidewalk when they are on. They focus the light directly downwards with a pool forming below the area they are spotlighting.

If a person has a small to mid-size garden they can usually select from any of the lighting kits that are available to begin the garden lights project. However, for a large garden or if a person is going to use conduit throughout the garden it is important to have a professional provide guidance and assistance.

Before considering which garden lights that are right for you, be sure to check out Abel Brockman’s website about garden lights and proper outdoor garden lighting techniques.