Are Placing Houston Lights Close To Trees Will Damage Them?

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Ideas On Why Outdoor Lighting Cannot Harm Trees In Houston

Most people that are positioning landscape lighting for the first time in their yards should be mindful when it comes to how they will affect or interact with the foliage that is already there. It is also quite common that homeowners often wonder whether landscape lighting will be harmful to the trees they have on their properties, which need ample light and space to thrive and grow. Is there going to be a negative impact or harm to the tree when there are landscape lights placed too close to it or in it? The answer to this question involves a quick extract from a science-based textbook.

How Do Trees Utilize Light?

The basic explanation to describe this is that plant life and trees use photosynthesis in order to absorb energy that comes from sunlight. The light emitted by the sun that the trees absorb is mainly in a visible spectrum, which means light that the human eye can see which ranges from violet onto red. The light that emits from a landscape lighting fixture falls in the same spectrum of visible light that the sun emits, only in a less intense way.

In most cases, trees will not undergo any damages from closeby landscape lighting as these lights emit helpful light which is far less intense when compared to the sun. An ultraviolet light or infrared may affect the health of a tree adversely if it interferes with the photosensitive cells in the plant or tree or interrupting the natural levels of chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll that is needed for photosynthesis.

The outdoor lighting fixtures that you may be considering for your outdoor spaces should not be emitting ultraviolet or infrared light that is great enough that affects your trees or plant life. There are also outdoor LED bulbs that are specially designed that emit very low or completely eliminate light levels in the ultraviolet or infrared spectrum.

Special Considerations When You Use Landscape Lighting Close To Trees

Despite the fact that landscape lighting should not cause any measurable or immediate damages to trees that are nearby, this doesn’t mean that they have no effect on them at all. Many trees are reliant on a certain duration of natural light that comes from the sun so that they know when seasons are changing. This gives them the signal when to drop leaves, close-up their pores, and to complete other types of natural processes. Too much heat or light can interfere with these processes in an unexpected way.

For instance, if a light that is strong enough focuses on deciduous trees over the course of the night, the tree may interpret this as a summer that never ends. When autumn and winter does set in, the tree might not prepare for the colder months in the way of closing up its pores. This could mean that the tree could be subjected to frost damage or chill, which kills it or defaces its appearance.

Is Solar Light Bad For Plants?

Similar to trees, consistent light in your backyard can also have a negative impact on your plants. Plants also have a precise rhythm, which is mainly regulated by light patterns. If solar lighting is soft and used mainly for the purpose of mood lighting, then it should do no harm to your plants. However, if the light is concentrated or bright on certain areas of your plants or lawn it can interfere with the natural rhythm of your plants. They will not be able to determine what season it is, which means the plants are not prepared for the cold weather that is about to set in.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call or contact us today if you need help with your landscape lighting. Feel free to visit our blog for more related topics and articles.

Landscape Lighting You’ll Love in 2020

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For any type of landscape design, lighting is an essential part of it. Even with intricate new landscaping trends, landscape lights can still be added to highlight certain architectural features. Why shouldn’t you enjoy the beauty and aesthetic of your landscape?  There are lots of incredible benefits of landscape lighting than showcase the beauty of the home and landscape. You have invested money, energy, and time into making a pristine landscape around your home. You have the right to enjoy your landscaping even after sunset.

Here’s a look at some landscape lighting trends you’ll love in 2020

Indoor-Outdoor Living

From fire and water features to outdoor kitchens, moving you indoors outdoors remain a trend in 2020. The objective when planning out an outdoor living space should be simple, sleek, and stylish, especially when lighting is involved. Enjoying the great outdoors in all seasons all year round is something homeowners are looking for landscaping features. Installing landscape lighting on hardscapes such as decks and patios is an excellent way of creating spaces that are well lit, fun, and comfortable. You can also enjoy your outdoor living landscape feeling more peaceful and calmer using plants, varying hues of blue in landscaping features, and lighting.

String Lights

There are outdoor lighting ideas to make the most of your space such as string lights. String lights also fall under the indoor-outdoor living, adding a comfortable yet warm glow. They are still a popular trend in the landscape lighting scene, given how they can be added to any existing feature in your landscaping in need of additional light and ambiance. We can’t see this landscape lighting trend to go anywhere any time soon. The cost-effectiveness provides an easy way of upgrading your landscape lighting. They are an excellent way of accentuating the lighting design of your patio.

Pathway Lighting

Pathways generally provide a secure path for one to move about either outside or inside the house. And what about at night? Pathway lighting will provide a way to assist you and guide your friends or family around the house or to your front step by lighting obstacles and curves along the pathways. You don’t want anybody tripping while on your premises, leaving you open to potential suits.

In 2020, you will see the airport-runway-looking pathway light getting replaced with prettier and more subtle LED lighting display that’s stylishly lit and ensures your safety.  Illuminate your yard with landscape lighting that will draw attention from the beautiful landscape of your house. Bollard LED lighting can easily replace these unsightly pathways with more energy-efficient, stylish, and magical shadows that offer vibrance to your place, whether day or night.

Smart Technology

Thanks to the advancements in technology, you can add online lighting controls thanks to the cloud. So you don’t necessarily have to be on-site if you want the lighting to provide security and a sense of safety. With online lighting controls, you have full control from anywhere as long as there is an Internet connection. You can turn off, on, and dim any section of the house with lighting. You can also automate the entire process by setting their display times.  

The popularity of landscape lighting doesn’t appear like it’s going to de-escalate any time soon. If you’re from Texas outdoor lighting it’s important to note that your landscape lighting should be aimed at highlighting the features of your landscape and yard as well as add drama to the allure of the home. So take time to go through all the various types of landscape lighting options to find the right one that matches your space and taste. Get your landscape lighting professionally installed if you want the beauty of your landscape to be highlighted using updated internet-based technology, which is energy efficient.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

5 Outdoor Lighting Ideas To Make The Most Of Your Space

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When most people think about home improvement projects, they imagine renovating their kitchens or updating their bathrooms. While projects like these can create a more modern, livable space, it is important to pay attention to the outside of your home, as well. One affordable exterior home improvement project that is worth considering is installing outdoor lighting to illuminate your yard with landscape lighting.

Outdoor lighting can increase your living space by making it easier to dine or entertain outside. Well-designed landscape lighting can also add value to your home, increasing its resale price. Perhaps most importantly, installing lights outdoors can also improve safety, making it easier to see where you are going while at the same time reducing the chance of break-ins.

Today, there are more outdoor lighting options available than ever, making it possible to completely transform your yard, patio, balcony, or garden. Here are five outdoor lighting ideas that you can use to make the most of your space:

Hang Edison lights over your patio or deck

Edison lights are string lights that are designed to look like old-fashioned bulbs. The bulbs themselves are usually long and slender, with clearly visible filaments. They have an antique look that is full of charm and character. 

One of the landscape lighting you’ll love in 2020 is to hang strings of these lights over your patio or deck, zigzagging them back and forth over the top of the space. This creates a wonderful atmosphere for entertaining, making the space feel warm, welcoming, and inviting. This project is extremely affordable – especially when you consider what a difference it can make in your outdoor space.

Use weatherproof lamps to create an outdoor room

If you want to create the feeling of an extra room outdoors, weatherproof lamps can help. Placing lamps like these on your deck or patio near seating areas can not only enhance the idea of an outdoor room, but it also can make the space more usable by providing much-needed task lighting. Use a combination of table and floor lamps in varying heights to create visual interest in the space. Try anchoring the space with a weatherproof area rug to make it feel even more like an outdoor room.

Install a lighted ceiling fan over a covered patio or deck

If you have a deck or patio that has a roof, consider installing a lighted ceiling fan. Fans are great for creating a cool breeze during the hot summer months. There are incredible benefits of landscape lighting such as the addition of light will make the space more usable after the sun goes down. Whether you want to hang out with your family after dark or host late-night parties or get-together, this is a great solution.

Use solar step lights to add beauty and improve safety

Trying to see stairs in the dark can be a safety hazard. Solar step lights are an excellent solution. These lights attached directly to the front of each step. Since they are solar, they don’t require any wiring. After dark, however, they provide much-needed illumination, making it easy to see the steps. They also make your home more attractive and welcoming.

Use lighted planters to add a unique look to space

Today, there are planters available that have built-in solar lights. They are a great solution for lighting outdoor areas since they don’t require any electrical work. All that you have to do is set them out, fill them with plants, and they automatically light up at night. They come in a variety of styles, making it easy to create the perfect look.

These five outdoor lighting Houston ideas will help you make the most of your space without spending a fortune in the process.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

A home in Houston, TX, with landscape lighting

Incredible Benefits of Lanscape Lighting You Need to Know

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In recent years landscape lighting has become all the rage. People are seeing the increased benefit of spending time outdoors. With crazy work schedules and shortened daylight hours in winter months, a lot of this time maybe after the sun has gone down. Here you will find just a few of the major benefits that landscape lighting can provide to you and outdoor lighting ideas to make the most of your space.

People that wish to commit crimes prefer areas that aren’t well lit. Additionally, you will be reducing the number of bugs that gather near your entryways. Insects are attracted to the light source, and having it further away from your homeless will enter when you do. There are many ways to approach this style of lighting, but the best way is to experiment and plan. Illuminate your yard with landscape lighting and think of how the light affects your home’s appearance so that you can have all three benefits at once.

Lighting can also be used to increase personal safety. By strategically using light along various paths in the front or back of your home, you are reducing the chances of someone being injured. It also enhances the appearance of the walkway. One option is to use solar lights for this so that there is no wiring required. You also don’t have to worry that by using it, you will be increasing your energy bill or carbon footprint.

Patio and porch lighting options have come a long way as well. Instead of having to have a large overhead light to increase visibility, you could use other options that are now available. There are recessed lighting options that can be installed into a deck to create a soft light that still illuminates the space. You can also purchase fixtures that can be rotated in various directions so that you can have it pointing in the exact direction that you want it without having to have fixtures through the entire space. There are landscape lighting you’ll love in 2020 and can help to make your space just as enjoyable at night as the indoors.

While landscape lighting can increase the enjoyment that you have in your backyard, it can also increase the value of your property. People can see that you have put in this effort in enhancing the living space of your home and then imagine themselves enjoying it. It also can be used to increase security, which is a major selling point these days. The lighting itself can be extremely affordable, yet increase the overall value of your home due to street appeal. Whether you are considering selling your home sometime soon or may in the future, it is an investment that is worth making.

Some may feel that they do not even know where to begin with enhancing their outdoor space. Fortunately, countless resources are available online as well as through retailers. Take the time to look at your outdoor space and consider what you would like. From there you can search to see if there are products that can meet your needs, on outdoor lighting Houston. Chances are you just a few clicks away from having an amazing outdoor space.

Visit our blog to discover more tips and tricks. Call or contact us today for more information!

How to Illuminate Your Yard with Landscape Lighting

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Do you want to make your front yard or backyard more inviting? A simple way to do this is by using landscape lighting. Keeping your yard well-lit doesn’t only allow you to enjoy it both during the day and at night, but sufficient lighting drives away pests and rodents as well. Adding lighting fixtures in your yard, however, isn’t as straightforward as you might imagine. This guide is meant to help you do the necessary preparations and choose the perfect landscape lighting you’ll love in 2020.

Identify the purpose of adding landscape lighting

Before you go shopping for landscape lighting, you should first determine why you want to light up your yard. Do you want the kind of lighting that sets a romantic mood for dinner dates? Is there a dark area you want to illuminate for security concerns? Or perhaps you need to light up the path that leads to your garden? Answering these questions allows you to narrow down your list so you won’t feel lost when it comes time to shop.

Make a sketch

This seems troublesome, but a sketch of your yard makes it easier to envision how landscape lighting can create the transformation you have in mind. Be sure to add sketches of any existing lights, trees, shrubs, buildings, benches, vegetation, and decorations. Take note that all of these reflect and absorb light, so they will have an impact on the new lighting fixtures you plan on installing. There are lots of outdoor lighting ideas to make the most of the space that you can do.

Plan where the landscape lighting will go

Now that you have a clear idea of the purpose behind landscape lighting, it’s time to decide where they should go. A pole-type lamp proves perfect for illuminating a bench in your yard. Hiding lighting under shrubs sets the perfect mood for romantic dinner dates. Small lighting fixtures can be added to the path leading to your garden, marking its boundaries to guide users along the way.

Set a budget

Now that you have a clear idea of the purpose and the incredible benefits of landscape lighting. it’s time to decide where they should go. A pole-type lamp proves perfect for illuminating a bench in your yard. Hiding lighting under shrubs sets the perfect mood for romantic dinner dates. Small lighting fixtures can be added to the path leading to your garden, marking its boundaries to guide users along the way.

Best Landscape Lighting Options

Mounting Lights

If you want an efficient lighting fixture that offers excellent area coverage, then mounting lights should rank on top of your list. These lights are designed to focus light from the top to the bottom. You can place them on top of poles, trees, or other tall structures.

Fairy Lights

Perhaps the most popular type of backyard lighting is fairy lights. What makes them an attractive option is that they double as decorative pieces in your yard. They come in a range of styles and sizes, so you can choose based on your unique requirements. In Houston outdoor lighting are perfect for filling in gap areas that need more lighting.

Lanterns

If you want something a little more traditional, then lanterns are a worthy consideration. Many lanterns today are lit by LED candles. They offer a timeless appeal that can transform lawns and patios in an instant.

Highlighting Borders

Highlighting backyard borders is a growing trend, and you might want to do the same in your yard. Your best option here is to use LED strips, which can make your yard look larger than it is when installed in the right places. They’re energy-efficient as well, so you wouldn’t have to worry about ramping up your bills even when several strips are installed. Be sure to get the waterproof variety.

Visit our blog to discover more tips and tricks. Call or contact us today for more information!

Tips For Safely Installing Temporary Outdoor Lighting

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11 Safety Tips For Installing Temporary Outdoor Lighting

When it comes to the outdoor lighting in and around our properties, most of us have some lights that they control, such as the security and porch lights. The other options are under public lighting. But some of the outdoor lights will serve as a decorative installation such as what we see on houses during Christmas and Halloween holidays.

Safety is a huge concern for every homeowner. We want our family, pets, and guests to feel safe whether their stay is short or long. As such, the availability of ample power cords, bulbs, and controls to ensure that you can manage the outdoor lighting becomes a significant investment for our gardens.

Many people have little to no regard for the importance of observing safety when installing outdoor lighting, especially if it is a temporary setup. They will not struggle to ensure everything is put up correctly and is up to code since they are not going for permanent installations. However, electricity and power connections are not a simple matter that you can handle as a triviality; they are always a danger. It is for this reason that the National Electrical Code has requirements for temporary electrical installations that are in line with the standard guidelines.

As such, safety comes first when you think of installing outdoor lighting in your yard. Therefore, you need to implement the following tips:

1. Install Outdoor-Rated Fixtures

Any lighting fixture you want to set up in your outdoor spaces should be built and designed for such a location and purpose. For instance, the porch lights are installed under the roof thus are never meant to get wet, but if you need to pick the type that designed for outdoor applications since it is bound to get damp and face fluctuation of hot and cold conditions.

Another example is the wall lighting fixture that will go next to the door. It may not have a protective cover and as such should sustain high impacts up to a certain degree and have high weather resistance, especially if it will be used on the exterior walls.

2. Use Outdoor-Rated Light Bulbs

Use the wrong type of bulb for exposed lighting fixtures such as the floodlights can you will be replacing it regularly. What works for the porch lighting will not suffice for the exposed installations. You should think about the life of the bulb even as you check its outdoor usage rating. Read the product description of some of the products, it the bulb can survive extremes such as the heat in an oven or the cold of a freezer, then it probably will work for outdoor purposes.

3. Avoid Using Metallic Binding Materials

When installing any lighting ornaments and wires, you should avoid damage the wires or using materials that are metallic for binding. Metal is an excellent electricity conductor. You should opt for materials such as plastic ties which are inexpensive, safe, and a popular choice for such jobs.

4. Use Outdoor-Rated Extension Cords

Extension cords will help pull the electric up to specific points where you want to install the lighting. However, you should only use the extensions cords that are made for outdoor applications. The indoor variety tends to be light and very flexible thus less robust for any outdoor use. You should use outdoor-rated extension cords only, even if you are putting up temporary lighting set up in your yard.

5. Avoid Over-lamping” A Fixture

Most lighting fixtures have a label or sticker that states the maximum wattage. Some will read 45W, 60W, and others 100W. Always abide by what the labels say so that you do not install the wrong bulb that will overheat the fixture’s wiring damaging the insulation of the wires. The indication on the stickers denotes the wattage you need to check for the bulbs you installed. For instance, if you opt for a CFL bulb in a 60W fixture, then you choose one the uses up any amount of power that is less than or equal to 60 watts and is amount to generate a higher illumination (light) than a 100W; 200W incandescent bulb.

6. Use Decorative Lights Made For Outdoor Use

If you need lighting for decorate purposes such as to light up skulls and pumpkins during Halloween or make the home showcase the festive mood of Christmas, then you should check the labeling to ensure you are using the right kind of lights. They should not be for indoor purposes. Pick the type that reads it is for an outdoor or multipurpose (outdoor/indoor) application.

7. Fit Weather-Resistant Receptacles

Ensure that you have outdoor receptacles installed for your power source options, even if you are working with temporary loads. It is a safer and a more presentable means of getting the power you need from one point to the outdoors instead of running a cord through the window or the doorway that can even cause someone to trip and fall over. You may benefit from especially covers for the wire; you also set the same for the receptacles. But with the receptacles, they should be able to handle hot, cold, and damp condition, meaning they should have a high weather-resistance rating.

8. Invest In GFCI Protection

The use of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI in short, is a protection measure. You should install GFCI power outlets in any section of your home where you might need to plug something in and still have a grounded electricity delivery. GFCI should be installed in the basements, kitchens, garages, bathrooms, attics, crawl space, and the porch for when you need to pull some electricity to your garden.

If the power feeds for your outdoor receptacles have GFCI protect that can be from a GFC device upstream or the circuit breaker, then you can work with a regular weather-resistant receptacle. But if that is not the case, then you should install a weather-resistant GFCI receptacle.

9. Cover Receptacles In Damp Locations Under A Roof

If you have the outdoor receptacles installed in an area that is protected from direct weather elements, you can cover them with a trap door that stays shut when nothing is plugged into that point. Make sure that you use covers that are rated ideal for damp locations and conditions.

10. Install A Cover For Exposed, Wet Locations

If the outdoor receptacles are installed in locations that have them exposed to the elements, then you should cover with an “in-use” cover. It will keep the receptacles and any attached plugs dry and shielded from the rain.

11. Watch Out for Flammable Materials

Avoid installing the lights next to materials catch fire quickly, especially if you are using lighting materials that produce heat. For instance, the decorative lights you need for the manager can see you use an accent light and still create the desired effect. Take some time to consider your decorative materials and plans so that you can planning for the lights accordingly.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

How Many Lumens Is Too Many Lumens?

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Outdoor Lighting: How Many Lumens Do I Need?

Lumens are a measure of the intensity of light. As such, the higher a lamp’s lumen rating, the brighter it will appear. The number of lumens you require for outdoor lighting will, therefore, depend on the kind of light you want.

Now that we’ve learned what lumens are, here is our professional lumens recommendation for a variety of outdoor lights.

  • Path lighting – 100 to 200 lumens
  • Step lights – 12 to 100 lumens
  • Floodlights – 700 to 1300 lumens
  • Pond and pool lights – 200 to 400 lumens
  • Motion sensor lights – 300 to 700 lumens
  • Landscape lights – 50 to 300 lumens (50 lumens is excellent for small shrubbery or gardens)
  • Hardscape lighting (on walls) – 50 to 185 lumens

When thinking about outdoor lighting, seriously consider going for LED.

Homeowners typically have two types of outdoor lightbulbs when purchasing outdoor lighting. These are CFLs and LEDs.

As outdoor lighting experts, we recommend that you go with LED lights. In this article, we will explain the difference between CFLs and LEDs and why you should consider working with LED lighting.

Outdoor lighting: CFLs or LEDs

How Each Works:

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) use electrical currents to heat filaments inside the bulb. When fully heated up, the filaments become white-hot, producing heat and light. Because these filaments are very sensitive, the lifespan of CFL bulbs is relatively short, especially when left in extremely cold or hot ambient temperatures, such Texas’s summer temperatures. Furthermore, CFLs take quite a while to light up fully.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), on the other hand, do not rely on fragile filaments to light up an area. Nevertheless, they use electrical currents to illuminate tiny diodes found inside the bulbs. Light emitting diodes do not put much heat; which means that they stay cool to the touch. These lights fare quite well in all outdoor temperatures and fully light up as soon as they are activated.

Operational Costs:

Light emitting diodes cost lesser to operate compared to CFL. They use 50 percent less energy to produce the same amount of light CFLs produce. That means that LEDs, of all light bulb options, produce higher amounts of lumens per wattage consumed.

Lifespan:

Light emitting diodes last up to five times longer than compact fluorescent lights.

Price:

At the moment, CFLs cost much cheaper than LEDs. Fortunately, though, LED bulb prices have been dropping in the last couple of years, making some LED options much more affordable than their CFL counterparts.

Other things to Consider

1. Lux

Lux measures a lights luminous flux per unit area. In essence, it gives users an idea of how far or field size a bulb/light can illuminate. Lux plays a crucial role in telling you how many lights you will need to cover an area or space.

To help you understand it better, please note that one lux is equal to the amount of illumination a single candle can provide from approx. 3 feet away.

2. Wattage

Wattage is used to quantify a bulb’s energy transfer rate – in essence; it is the measure of how much electricity a bulb consumes. For instance, a 75-watt light bulb consumes 75 watts of power each second it’s on. The higher a light’s wattage, the more electricity it consumes and the higher the electric bill will be.

If your outdoor lighting project requires the installation of lots of outdoor lights, your wattage demand will be higher, and you might need to have a professional electrician install a new circuit for you.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

Boosting Curb Appeal And Value With Residential Outdoor Lighting

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Increasing Curb Appeal & Value

Houston has continued to see growth, and this has increased the demand for homes for sale. Experts believe that this year is another strong year for the housing market in Houston. If you are interested in selling your home; how can you make it stand out from the rest?

Outdoor lighting has the potential of enhancing curb appeal and can even increase the value of your property or home. The National Association of Home Builders said that over 40% of homeowners surveyed said for them, outdoor lighting is “essential“ Lighting has a big impact on the appearance of a building. People get the full effect during the day because of the sun, but when it starts to set down, the details and aspects of the property will start disappearing because of the darkness setting in. LED landscaping lighting transforms the look of the property at night. Outdoor lighting is able to highlight structural features such as fire pits, pathways, fencing, water features, and more. The overall lighting design will also include decks, outdoor patios, or other outdoor living spaces.

When you take a drive through the neighborhood at night, you will notice that homes standing out the most are those that have proper outdoor lighting. Having proper outdoor lighting will enhance the beauty of the space. This is even more important when it comes to the landscape of your house. When you highlight certain features of your house, you make it more pleasing to the eye, and this can lead to an increase in value. You can be able to make your space appear larger than it actually is by having the lighting professionally installed. With outdoor lighting, you will be able to make your home look amazing while also making it a less appealing target for burglars or people wishing to do harm. When you light areas around the doorway and window, you will be able to improve the security while enhancing the look of your home.

Have you ever tried pulling into a driveway that did not have light and you had a time navigating in darkness? You were afraid of hitting something or even not seeing someone.

Now turn the attention to your driveway. Would people have a hard time pulling into your driveway at night?

Proper lighting of your driveway will be able to serve a number of purposes. It provides safety for people around it while also adding to the curb appeal of the property.

When your drive is properly lit, it will be a guide for your guest, and they will be able to navigate more easily. It will also create a welcoming ambiance. You will be able to deliver a great first impression when you have driveway lighting.

Below are three cool ways of lighting up your driveway

Down-lighting

If there are large trees along the driveway, then down-lighting is the right option to go with. This is because they tend to emulate the feeling of moonlight. It will feel and appear natural, but it is luminaires that have been skillfully aimed and placed. Depending on how the driveway has been laid out and the number of trees, well lights or bollards can be used alongside down-lighting. Using different light sources at strategic locations can help in balancing out the lights and making sure the driveway is evenly lit.

Bollards

Bollards are sturdy, solid, and stately. They will provide the driveway with soft lighting, making it the perfect choice for defining the edges of the driveway. A good lighting company will be able to provide you with an outdoor lighting design that properly spaces the bollards. One thing that can be done is alternating the sides. This will prevent the runaway effect on your driveway.

Up-Lighting

While the bollards are above the ground, these are closer to the ground. If you are looking for fixtures less noticeable, up-lights are a perfect choice. If there are mature trees, it is going to define the edge of the driveway and also add ambient light. The fixtures can be installed into the driveway cement or at the entrance of the garage.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

Lightscaping In Houston; Why Light?

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The Age Old Question – Why Light?

One thing that lighting designers will often end up asking their clients is “why light”? You might think that the answer is obvious, but there are actually numerous things that you might want to achieve through lighting. That’s why a professional lighting designer is going to want you to clarify your needs and intentions.

You see, there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to clarifying a brief. The responses that can come back from that question can be surprisingly varied. It’s important that a lighting designer is able to understand exactly what the homeowner is looking for. If they produce something that isn’t in line with expectations, then they have failed the client, and no professional wants that to happen.

Homeowners have a number of different requirements and intentions. Some may be worried about keeping their home secure. Some might want a certain ambiance or to make their outdoor living area look nicer. Another motivation could be safety, especially for those who garden late at night, or who have a large garden that they want to be able to navigate after dark.

There are many other possible reasons for wanting more lighting, however, ambiance, safety, and security are the ones that crop up them most.

Lighting for Security

Even the nicest areas can sometimes have an issue with crime, and security lighting is a must to help prevent that. Landscape lighting can make life easier for you from a security perspective since it gives you better visuals yourself, and it also acts as a deterrent to would-be trespassers. Many crimes are opportunistic and if your garden or property is not an appealing target for a burglar, they will be more likely to just move on to the next potential target.

Lighting for Ambiance

Lighting can make it easier for you to enjoy your outdoor space in the evening, and that’s a common reason for people to illuminate their property. It helps to make space look more appealing, and it gives you more control over the ambiance, so you are not held to the schedule of daylight hours in your area. Lighting, if it is well thought out and carefully executed, can be the finishing touch to a wonderful landscaping project.

Lighting for Tasks and Safety

This is the most practical of the concerns. Task or safety lighting is mostly functional, but it can also have an aesthetic appeal as well. If you want to keep your steps well lit so that people do not trip, and make the walk between your door and your fire pit a little safer and easier to navigate, then you will want to spell that out in the brief. Task lighting is important in outdoor kitchens as well, because you need to be able to see clearly and perceive colors when you are cooking.

There are numerous other reasons for landscape lighting, some of which are vastly different from those mentioned here, but if you can identify exactly what the lighting will be used for that will make it much easier for the project leaders to do a good job. Lighting professionals understand that different lights will suit different tasks and you will be much happier with the results that you get from the job if you can help the lighting designer select the best type of light for your intended use, whatever that use may be.

 

 If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

two story house with moonlighting

The Right Color Temperature For Your Next Houston Lightscape Design

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How To Choose The Right Color Temperature For LED Landscaping Lights

Are you stuck trying to find the best color temperature to illuminate your landscape? If so, then the information contained in the following guide may help you reach a decision. At the very least, it will help you understand the thought process that the professionals use when choosing different LED colors and temperatures.

Before you can choose the right temperature you need to understand what it is and how it is measured. When a designer talks about a particular color temperature they are referencing a characteristic of a light that affects how that light feels. The measurement is always expressed as a temperature using the Kelvin unit. A temperature that is expressed as degrees Kelvin will have the capital letter “K” following the temperature. An example would be 2,400K, which is the color temperature of standard incandescent lamps.

But what exactly does it mean when a package states that a light has a color temperature of 3,000K? The temperature lets you know how warm or cool the light’s expression is. What confuses many people is that higher temperatures are actually considered cooler colors. Remember, a standard incandescent lamp has a color temperature of 2,400K. A candle generally has a color temperature around 1,700K. This means the candle is a warmer color.

Light manufacturers will often label color temperature on their packaging. They may sometimes use labels instead of numbers. For example, the light might be defined as daylight or soft white. These are terms that refer to the color temperature. It’s much easier to learn what the different temperatures are and then find lights that have the actual color temperature listed on the package.

Interested in learning some of the basic color temperatures? Here are a few numbers that you should remember.

1700K – This is the color temperature of a lit candle.

2200K – This is the lowest point on the white light scale. Below this temperature is known as yellow light.

3500K – From this point forward, the color temperatures are considered “cool”.

4000K – This is a very cool natural light.

5000K – Around this point is considered daylight. Temperatures around 5000K are natural and very cool.

6500K – Starting at this temperature you begin moving into the blue light spectrum.

How To Choose The Best Color Temperature For Outdoor Light

It’s impossible to label any single color temperature as best for all occasions. There are a number of factors that will influence your decision. Primarily, it comes down to preference. You may even need to try several different temperatures to find the one that you like the most. However, there are two important considerations that you should keep in mind when choosing outdoor lighting.

The first consideration to remember is that less lighting is required outdoors than indoors. After all, there are already multiple sources of natural light outdoors as well as possible light pollution from neighbors, street lamps, or nearby buildings. What this means is that you can take a more subtle approach to ambient lighting.

The second consideration is that if you have an environment with low ambient lighting, then it’s generally better to stick with warmer colors. Warmer colors produce a more comfortable experience when there is very little ambient light. This is partially because warmer colors cause less strain on the eye.

If you combine these two facts, then you can draw the conclusion that creating settings with low-ambient lighting and warm colors is ideal. Think about the pleasant attraction of a campfire or the relaxing nature of candles. This is what many people try to reproduce with their landscape lighting.

The Ideal Range

It’s hard to go wrong if you stick with color temperatures between the range of 2700K and 300K. These lights are somewhat natural, calming, and warm. 2700K resembles the light produced by halogen, which is something that most of us are familiar with seeing.

You can increase the temperature to 3000K for a slightly cooler approach to lighting. 3000K is a very popular choice in situations where 2700K is just too warm of a color. Consider trying both options to see which best suits your property.

Working With Cool Colors

Warm colors aren’t necessarily mandatory. For example, there are some plants or materials that would look much better under a cooler light. A blue spruce would come to life and “pop” when situated beneath a 5000K lamp. A cactus plant would do the same if a green or silver filter was placed on the light.

Working with cool colors is a fun way to experiment and express your personal style. Remember that there is no single “best” color temperature. It’s all situational and depends on the environment. But by remember the pointers mentioned above you can understand why professionals tend to work with specific color temperatures.

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