Is It Possible To Install Houston LED Lights Outside

Posted by Robert Huff on

Advantages & Reasons To Use LED Lights Outdoor In Houston

Outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in providing illumination to dark areas, hence helping discourage crime, reduce the risk of injuries, and make your otherwise dark patio livable, especially when holding a party. Until recently, many people were stuck to incandescent and fluorescent bulbs for both accent and outdoor lighting. LED technology has, however, revolutionized this sector by providing energy-efficient means of keeping your home, businesses, and public spaces lit. There’s, however, some confusion on if LED lights can be used safely outdoors. You can thus enjoy the convenience and energy efficiency that these lights have to offer when compared to traditional lighting options.

LED lights are considered the ideal option for all industrial, commercial, and residential outdoor lighting needs. They come bundled with the same benefits as when used indoors. Some of the benefits of using LEDs outdoors include low maintenance costs, as well as minimal replacement costs. Here are some of the advantages and reasons to use LED lights outdoors.

1. Clear, Bright Light

Traditional lighting fixtures, such as mercury vapor and metal-halide lamps, tend to start with clear white light but eventually start turning into a visible pink or orange color. Such transition makes them impractical. On the other hand, LEDs produce a clear and consistent white light all through the fixture’s life. This is regardless of how long the LED is used. Technology has also made it possible to adjust the LED light spectrum manually to produce warmer or even brighter light depending on the application.

2. Energy Efficiency

LED lights use up more than 90% of the energy supplied to produce light. They thus do not waste energy in the form of heat light like metal-halide and incandescent lamps do. In addition to this, LEDs require only a fraction of the energy to produce the same light intensity as these incandescents. This is one reason why LEDs are considered more energy efficient than bulbs using filaments to produce light. Additionally, you never have to worry about wasted energy or huge replacement costs.

3. Lower Cost Of Ownership & Bills

LEDs not only produce the same amount of light for less wattage but also last a lot longer. That said, you can be assured your LEDs will last for months, or even years before a replacement is needed. They also run cool, which again reduces the risk of burning out or needing frequent replacement. All these translate to money savings in the long run.

4. Available In Various Shapes, Forms & Styles

LED lights to come in a wide range of shapes, forms, and designs, all that befit most applications. You can thus use the lights for both outdoor lighting and decorative purposes as well.

The fact that LED lights are durable, energy-efficient, and produce the same amount of light for less wattage makes them the ideal option for outdoor lighting. You will also be saving lots of money after making the switch.

Give us a call or contact us today for any help you need with your outdoor lighting and for more pieces of information! Please feel free to visit our blog for more related topics and articles.

 

A home in Houston, TX, with landscape lighting

Why You Should Upgrade To LED Outdoor Lighting In Houston Pt 2

Posted by Robert Huff on

5 Reasons To Upgrade To Houston LED Landscape Lighting

Part 2

3. Fewer Maintenance Requirements

The fact is, halogen bulbs are a pain. After all, they require constant maintenance as they need to be changed once yearly. Therefore, if you have a complex landscaping lighting system with multiple bulbs, you will find yourself spending a lot of time and energy swapping out bulbs. Due to the frequency in which you will have to change halogen bulbs, you may be an expert at bulb replacement in a few years. Because LED bulbs are capable of lasting so much longer than their halogen counterparts, you will have much fewer maintenance requirements to worry about. You will also be able to avoid having to constantly replace the bulbs themselves which can provide monetary savings alone.

To make it even sweeter, we offer a warranty on all of the LEDs we use because they are fully guaranteed to last for 30,000 to 40,000 hours. Whereas, halogens are only guaranteed for a maximum of 4,000 hours. Along with our industry-leading warranty, we provide a full lifetime maintenance program that will include the LEDs we use. Therefore, if you get an LED lighting system installed from us and you get the maintenance program, you won’t ever have to pay for a bulb replacement again.

4. Our LED Fixtures Look Great and Last A Long Time

We only use the most heavy-duty lighting fixtures we can find. You will get fixtures that are made up of solid cast brass rather than the traditional flimsy plastic or aluminum fixtures that you might find installed currently. Because brass is much more durable than the other materials you will find, it is going to last much longer without needing maintenance or replacement. Along with this, brass has the benefit of blending into natural surroundings much better and the fixtures we use are much sleeker than other fixtures. Because of these things, they will be much less noticeable than the clunky and outdated fixtures you may have installed currently.

5. Better Lighting

LED fixtures are generally going to cast much better lighting that covers a much wider area because they offer a much more even beam spread. Therefore, you will get much more even light distribution from the top to the bottom. Whereas, halogen lights tend to create a hot spot towards the light source and as the beam flows upwards, the beam tapers considerably. Along with this, LED paths inherently have a broader spread of light.

6. They Are Safer

LEDs are naturally safer than halogen bulbs. In fact, halogen bulbs can be considered a fire hazard due to the bulbs burning at such a high temperature in comparison. Halogen bulbs burn at nearly 500 degrees Fahrenheit at their core. Whereas, LEDs only burn at a low 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Likewise, the exterior of an LED fixture only runs at a max of 80 degrees which means it can effectively melt snow, but it won’t set fire to surrounding leaves and other hazardous materials.

If you are convinced to make the switch, how do you know that you should do it right now?

Perhaps the biggest sign that you should be looking to make the switch right now is when you notice your halogen lights going out more often than they used to. If you are having to regularly maintain your bulbs more than usual, it is likely time to get your system checked by a professional. Another major thing to look for would be finding that your path lights are leaning or that your fixture covers are falling off.

If you don’t know what kind of shape your existing system is in, you can call us. We will be able to conduct a free diagnostic test where we will visit your home, check on your system, and give you our professional recommendation.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today if you need a professional lighting designer with your outdoor lighting design. Missed the first issue of this article? Click here!

Why You Should Upgrade To LED Outdoor Lighting In Houston Pt 1

Posted by Robert Huff on

5 Reasons To Upgrade To Houston LED Landscape Lighting

Part 1

While you may pay more for older paintings and antique furniture, technology is a different ballgame. With technology, newer is pretty much always better. When it comes to the lighting industry, halogens are now considered outdated and they are slowly but surely being replaced by much better and more efficient LEDs.

If you currently have an outdoor lighting system that utilizes halogen bulbs, you are going to want to make the switch towards a much more efficient model in order to not only save money on energy costs but also to avoid maintenance headaches. While the prospect of upgrading your entire lighting system may not sound very easy nor affordable, you will end up saving money in the long run.

However, prior to making the decision whether or not it’s worth upgrading your lighting system, you will want to fully understand what a proper upgrade actually entails.

A lot of people make the incorrect assumption that upgrading landscaping lighting only includes swapping out your existing bulbs to LEDs. While it sounds nice, that isn’t the case. By retaining the same old fixtures, you will end up introducing a high failure rate into otherwise durable and long-lasting LEDs. This is due to the fact that older fixtures are not specifically designed to work with LEDs. As a result, the LED bulbs will only last around 2 to 3 years.

Rather than swapping out bulbs alone, you will want to replace the older fixtures with brand new integrated fixtures that are optimized to work with LEDs. While this will cost extra, it’s not nearly as much as it would cost to install a completely new system altogether. In fact, it’s not nearly as labor-intensive because all of the existing wirings are already laid out. Therefore, you will be able to cut anywhere from 40 to 60 percent out of the equation than if you were to start from ground zero.

LEDs are not a simple trend that will come and go. LEDs are here to stay as they offer numerous advantages over alternatives. Not only are they much more energy-efficient than other options, but they have other advantages as well.

Here are the reasons you should upgrade to LED outdoor lighting:

1. LEDs Have Withstood The Test Of Time

One of the most common concerns a lot of consumers have when it comes to making the switch is that new technology cannot be trusted. While this is somewhat true, you don’t have that same worry with LEDs. LEDs have been around for long enough to say they are time tested. Here at Brothers Lighting, we’re trained for installing LED systems. Meaning, you don’t have to worry about being beta-testers for brand new technology. The technology was introduced a while ago and all of the necessary improvements have been made. Therefore, you can rest easy knowing you are getting a fully functional system that is capable of delivering you solid value for the long haul.

2. LEDs Are More Efficient

It shouldn’t be a secret that LEDs are capable of saving energy. Because of this, they will be able to save you a lot of money. After all, halogen bulbs have a much higher wattage than their LED counterparts. Therefore, by making the switch, you should be able to get as much as an 80 percent reduction in energy costs.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today if you need a professional lighting designer with your outdoor lighting design. For the rest of this article please click here.

How Awesome Is Outdoor Lighting For Your Outdoor Space In Houston

Posted by Robert Huff on

10 Good Reasons You Should Use A Houston Outdoor Lighting

Part 2

4. Improving The Atmosphere

Not only do you want the lighting choices you make to suit the various functions of the spaces you are adding them to, but you also want to use them to help bolster the atmosphere that reflects the style you are after. You will find various options to choose from including using downlights to shine on brick walls or even adding simple bulbs on wires for an urban courtyard ambiance.

Whereas, if you want to go for more of an oriental or subtropical theme, you can leverage bamboo flares or even lanterns. Another option would be floating tea lights that you place inside of water bowels scattered throughout the walkways. For a much more formal garden, you should look to utilize lights to highlight the various shapes of decorative urns. You want to avoid attempting to light up the entire garden itself because you don’t want to overdo it. Instead, you want the lighting to be spaced out enough to look much more natural.

5. Improve Access

You can use downlights that are hidden in order to help guide people along the path in your garden. These lights can also be used in order to warn of the edge of a desk or even around a garden bed. When placing these, you want to avoid using blinding lights that can shine directly into people’s eyes as they move around the garden.

6. Change Of Eye Focus

You want to try to draw more eyes towards the focal points of your garden. For instance, if you have artwork or even a plant situated against a wall, you should think about using back-lighting in order to create a much stronger and more prominent silhouette of it.

7. Adding To Your Water Elements

You will find that submersible lighting is one of the best ways to add to your garden lighting. You can add these lighting elements to everything from ponds to other water features. This not only adds to the mystique of your garden, but it can add a functional and safety element, as well.

8. Add Water To Swimming Pools

Not having lighting in and around your swimming pool is going to cause your pool to turn into a black hole when it’s dark outside. Not only will this make it unsafe, but it won’t look great. Add lighting elements to your pool and surrounding it to improve the aesthetics.

9. Make Structures Safer

You will need to light up various things like steep stairs in order to enhance the safety of your garden when its dark outside. You also want to use this to mark various elements that could prove to be dangerous as the edge of pools and more.

10. Making It More Secure

One of the best ways to deter crime is by adding functional outdoor lighting elements to your garden and home. You should be installing things like uplights along the boundary of your property to make it much more difficult to sneak onto your property without getting noticed.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today if you need a professional lighting designer with your outdoor lighting design. Missed the first issue of this article? Click here!

How Awesome Is Outdoor Lighting For Your Outdoor Space In Houston

Posted by Robert Huff on

10 Good Reasons You Should Use A Houston Outdoor Lighting

Part 1

As the push to make our gardens an extension of our homes, more and more people are looking to enhance the aesthetic elements and ambiance it provides. The truth is, lighting plays a very significant role in being able to create a welcoming ambiance which can make it much easier to spend an increasing amount of time cooking, entertaining, and moving without caution later on in the day and at night. Along with this, it can help create a mood that you are looking to have no matter if you are using the space for romantic dinners or to throw night-time parties. If your garden doesn’t provide that kind of experience during the day with natural lighting, you can use outdoor lighting to turn it into a truly magical place at night.

In order to make your garden stand out, you should be taking a creative approach when it comes to your outdoor lighting. Try to mix candles with underwater spotlights and even strategically place lanterns throughout the area. While there are various types of outdoor lighting to choose from on the marketplace, there are some much more convenient than others to install outdoors. Therefore, it would be a wise investment to consult with a professional electrician or a professional lighting designer beforehand.

Below, we will be going over some of the reasons you should consider lighting up your garden:

1. It’s An Extension Of Your Home

As mentioned, your outdoor garden is effectively an extension of your home. Therefore, you will be able to enjoy your garden in more ways and more than ever before. Nowadays, people work long and strenuous hours. This can force you into a position where you are unable to truly enjoy the majestic beauty of your garden. If the only time you can truly spend time in your garden, you will need outdoor lighting to make use of it.

You will want to plan for your lighting prior to the garden being built-out and designed. You can do things like installing a complex lighting system in an existing garden but you will need someone who is a professional electrician to get the most out of it.

2. Improve Outdoor Lighting

There are various things you can do to enhance your outdoor lighting from adding low-level lighting underneath floating bench seating to adding uplights in your plant beds to give your entire garden a shine after dark. This type of lighting can help to foster a very calm and peaceful environment for dining. Whereas, you could add various strands of fiber-optic light and tie it around tree trunks to create an even more festive atmosphere. When looking to improve the lighting, you should try to avoid using brightly colored lights unless your garden is completely fenced in front of your neighbors and it is something deemed essential for your garden’s atmosphere.

3. Task Lighting

If you have an area that is mandatory to have functional lighting, you will want to utilize directional task lighting. That begin said, you should always be factored in whether or not you can control the intensity of the light such as a dimmer switch to ensure you can change the lighting as the time of day/night dictates.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today if you need a professional lighting designer with your outdoor lighting design. Please click here for the rest of this article.

Outdoor Lighting In Houston: Is It Really Expensive?

Posted by Robert Huff on

Why You Should Consider A Professional Houston Outdoor Lighting

When thinking of installing outdoor lighting, cost concerns is one of the things that come to mind when you want something that looks professional. You do not wish to spend your money on a system that will go unnoticed or does not work correctly. The lighting should be a safety measure while also helping add to the aesthetics of your outdoor space. That investment you are making will be well worth every penny spent if it helps your family feel secure. But what are the factors that influence the cost of outdoor lights, and is it affordable?

1. The Materials

The material used is perhaps the primary factor that influences the cost of installing professional outdoor lights. For instance, cast brass is not cheap, but it is an excellent choice because it is sturdy, durable, and highly suited for outdoor lighting. The fixtures fashioned from cast brass can serve you for decades, making them a one-off investment.

Take the example of a quality matter. Does it come cheap? No, it does not, and it should be the best kind because you spend nearly 30% of your life sleeping or laying in bed. As such, you will be ready to spend thousands to ensure it is as comfy as possible. If so, then the same thing can be said about your outdoor lighting. It should enhance security while also helping showcase your property.

2. LED’s

While LEDs might be popular today, they still are slightly expensive because they are regarded as advanced technology and the ideal alternative to the traditional incandescent lightbulbs. But they emit better light and are more energy-efficient, which makes them an excellent choice if you have concerns about the cost of running your outdoor lights.

3. The Service

You probably might be inclined to buy outdoor lights that you can install yourself, that is if you trust in your DIY skills. And this might be something fueled by the need to save money. However, you probably will end up with a low-quality installation that serves you for a short time before problems start popping up.

But with the help of landscape lighting service, you can enjoy spending your money in an investment that lasts and whose results will have you feeling content every time the lights come on at night.

4. Time

Roughly 3 – 4 weeks, that is how long it takes to complete an averagely tasking job when you have no prior knowledge. Keep in mind that time is a valuable commodity. And if you are talking about a full month’s work, then that is time that must be well-spent since it all translates to money. Therefore, the landscape and lighting must be perfect. You cannot waste any minute or second on shoddy work. Also, remember that your investment should be something that lasts a lifetime without any significant problems.

So, Is Outdoor Lighting Expensive?

It suffices to say that professional outdoor lighting does not come cheap. However, the costs are bound to high if you do it yourself, thinking that you will save time and money. Think through your option and your knowledge before attempting to go the DIY way. Professionals will do a better job than you since that is their specialty. We have the expertise and years of experience in installing different lighting solutions that are confident that we shall deliver quality solutions that meet your home’s outdoor lighting needs. Give us a call or contact us today if you need help with your outdoor lighting and for more pieces of information! Please feel free to visit our blog for more related topics and articles.

A home in Houston, TX, with residential landscape lighting

Making Your Home Presentable With A Houston Outdoor Lighting

Posted by Robert Huff on

6 Key Tips For A Good Outdoor Lighting In Houston

There is certainly a lot more to outdoor lighting than you might think. When properly implemented, it can shine a light on your home and garden to make it much more presentable at night. When done improperly, it will not only be unnecessarily expensive, but it can turn out to be a complete eyesore and it can cause a lot of neighbor complaints. By knowing what to do and what not to do, you should be able to make the best possible outdoor lighting decisions for your home. Below, you will see some of the key tips that you should be implemented to ensure you are able to get the most out of your outdoor lighting efforts.

1. Outdoor Circuits

When crafting your plan, you should be figuring out the optimal starting point for your circuit. After all, the further you place a light from a transformer, the less bright it will shine. Because of this, you need to avoid overloading your circuit with lights. You want to stick to a maximum of around 100 watts per line. While your transformer should be capable of supporting your outdoor lighting requirements, try to discuss it with a professional electrician before anything.

2. Less Is Typically More

When it comes to outdoor lighting, you should adhere to the philosophy that ‘less is more.’ Because outdoor lighting should be much more subtle in nature, you don’t want to overdo it. You don’t want to light up your back yard and garden as if it’s a baseball park. Instead, stick to the ‘less is more’ philosophy and use the right outdoor light for each feature you are looking to illuminate. For instance, using smaller path lights for walkways, underwater lights for fountains, and more.

3. Aesthetically Pleasing & Safe

Avoid doing anything that is going to put you in harm’s way. Outdoor lighting is meant for the outdoors. Therefore, you want to ensure that you are using the right equipment and not putting yourself at risk for disaster with your wiring and channeling. If needed, it is always recommended to call on a professional electrician to be certain your wiring is safe and effective.

4. Energy Saving

Getting outdoor lighting may seem like an unnecessary expense or addition, it’s not that expensive. Simply find the right types of lighting and find ways to improve your lighting in your backyard and garden at an affordable price. There are plenty of ways you can do so without wasting energy including installing solar lighting. You can also use LED lighting which utilizes a lot less energy than standard bulbs.

5. Think About The Long Term

Having outdoor lighting that is going to be capable of withstanding a lot of the different weather conditions and seasons that it will be put through is key. Because of this, you want to think about your respective climate to ensure that you are choosing the right lighting for your garden. Also, think about the changes to your garden during different seasons to ensure your lighting is going to have a positive effect on the aesthetics of your garden each season. After all, your lighting will essentially become apart of your garden so you should be thinking about how it can coexist.

It’s always worth hiring a professional outdoor lighting designer in order to help you make the right decisions and to ensure your lighting is installed properly. Give us a call or contact us today if you need help with your outdoor lighting and for more pieces of information! Please feel free to visit our blog for more related topics and articles.

Want To Improve Your Outdoor Lighting In Houston? Here’s A Professional Advice

Posted by Robert Huff on

Outdoor Lighting Tips & Advice From Our Lighting Experts In Houston

Part 3

4. Scale

You work out what will suit your outdoor space and consider the scale of the area in question. The size and dimension of your yard will influence the plans and type of lights you will purchase. Your options could be as follows:

  • Post & Pier Mount Lights: The size of these lighting fixtures will differ based on factors such as the number of bulbs. A post-mounted design stands at a height of roughly 7 feet.
  • Front Porch Wall Lights: Setting up a porch wall light, fix it up at about a third the height of the door. If you are thinking of installing two of them, they should be fixed at roughly 1/4 of the door’s height.
  • Ceiling & Hanging Lights: The areas (the patio, deck, or porch) you plan to install the hanging lights should be tall enough to accommodate the fixtures. Therefore, pick a design and style that is proportional to the patio, deck, or porch.

5. Maintenance

If you will have maintenance concerns and want to keep your power bills low, then solar-powered lighting systems are the way to go. As for wattage, then consider the glass-shaded bulbs that have 75 – 100 watts. If the bulbs are exposed, go for those that are below 60 watts.

Fortunately, most outdoor lighting features are designed to endure wet or damp conditions, which is another issue worth considering. The wet-rated ones are suitable for areas that are directly exposed to rain and wind. The post lights, wall lights, and motion sensor lights should be rated for wet locations.

The lights rated for damp places can be ideal for installation in areas like pergolas, patios, and other sites that are not directly exposed to rain or moisture. Hence, outdoor hanging lights are rated for damp locations.

6. Cost

With so many designs, types, sizes, and styles of outdoor lighting solutions available, it is expected for the prices of these fixtures to vary significantly. To determine the amount you will spend, you should browse different lighting fixtures and compare their costs. Keep in mind that whatever is cheap might not necessarily be a money-saving investment, and the quote prices might not include the installation costs.

Think of the amount of energy the bulbs will demand and how this will impact your ongoing costs. Furthermore, remember to check the durability of the lights to determine how often you will replace them, then factor this into the costing of your outdoor lighting.

7. Power

While solar power can be a cost-effective option, it might not suffice for your entire outdoor lighting system. Some patios, decks, and porches are best powered with electricity.

Nonetheless, you can keep the energy demand at a minimum by picking low voltage fixtures. For this, you can work with bulbs that operate at 12 volts and are easy to install or replace.

Conversely, you can opt for line voltage lighting with works with lights that use 120 volts. For this, you will have to include some safety features like a conduit and junction box to protect the wiring.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today if you need a professional lighting designer with your outdoor lighting design. Missed the first issue of this article? Click here!

residential and commercial led low voltage landscape lighting

Want To Improve Your Outdoor Lighting In Houston? Here’s A Professional Advice

Posted by Robert Huff on

Outdoor Lighting Tips & Advice From Our Lighting Experts In Houston

Part 2

2. The Variety Of Fixtures To Pick From

  • Path Lights: Path lighting is one of the common elements in landscape lighting designs. The bulbs are often mounted on small posts or available as a post with built-in lights and capped with a diffuser. You can use path lights to frame out your garden and even spread out down the paths and driveway. You can install them around a pond or lining the edges of your garden.
  • Ceiling Lights & Hanging Lights: They both are classified and hanging lights and are best suited for damp locations where they are not exposed to wet conditions. You can install them as a featured light or integrated them into a surface since they often have a brighter illumination. You can find hanging and ceiling lights in an array of style options and brightness levels.
  • Wall Lights: They are a common feature in the front and back porch areas of most homes. The lighting features can be mounted vertically on the surfaces and tend to be durable and offer an attractive illumination. That is why most outdoor wall lights are used as decorative installations that provide an accent or ambient light that is not blinding. Consider them if you want something to light up your porch or patio.
  • Post Lights & Pier Mount Lights: They are light fixtures mounted on posts or top of a structure for an overhead illumination. You will find these installed on fences, gates, entries, and even around a decking. Since the pier-mount or post lights are fixed in exposed surfaces or sections, what you pick should have an excellent wet-rating meaning they can withstand rain, moisture, and various weather conditions. The pier mount lights are somewhat similar to the post lights, but they are meant to go on top of walls or columns.
  • Landscape Lights: With the landscape lights, you will have to work with fixtures that provide a low illumination. They will have a low wattage; thus, they must be set up in a small voltage system independent from the ceiling and wall lights. You can combine spot, path, and floodlights to create a layered illumination. The spotlights can be used to highlight various landscaping elements like trees, bushes, sculptural details, or unique features of the building. You achieve a seamless presentation, ensuring the good lights are recessed into the ground so that you achieve some uniformity in your hardscape and landscape setting.
  • Deck & Step Lights: The deck and step lighting are installed directly into the hardscapes, working as an accent and safety features for architectural details and stairs in the dark. You can opt for them if you need fixtures that radiate entertainment spaces or down stone walls.

3. Safety & Security Concerns

As you plan the outdoor lighting design, consider how it will help enhance safety and security. You must understand your location so that you can formulate the ideal lighting system that might include Wi-Fi controlled LEDs and even motion sensor capabilities. Your primary focus should be on the entry points like the main gate, driveway, front door, and garage.

The motion sensors will help alert you of any movement, especially when you combine that feature with bright bulbs. Such a set up can help ward off intruders. When you have such concerns, you will benefit from the following options:

  • Dusk To Dawn Lights: They are fitted with photo sensors that trigger them to turn on and off when the sun’s light fades, giving way for the night. The fixtures are what to get if you need a system that lights up automatically and when required.
  • Motion Sensor Lights: The lights turn on when triggered by nearby movements; hence, they are best applied as security lights. You can install them in areas that have high traffic. Moreover, the best models of these lighting fixtures allow you to set the angle and range of the motion sensor, with these features varying from one model and design to the next.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today if you need a professional lighting designer with your outdoor lighting design. For the rest of this article please click here.

Want To Improve Your Outdoor Lighting In Houston? Here’s A Professional Advice

Posted by Robert Huff on

Outdoor Lighting Tips & Advice From Our Lighting Experts In Houston

Part 1

You can use outdoor lighting to bring your exterior facades and your yard to life. You can install fixtures for illuminating the landscape, added security, or creating a dramatic effect that enhances the aesthetics of your outdoor space. While such an installation might be somewhat a straightforward affair, much of what it entails makes this fall under the purview of an experienced landscaping architect.

Consider working with a professional that understands how the outdoor lighting works and how to integrate it with a building and its surroundings. It is not just about knowing how to find and make the most of the sweet spot between light and dark, but also taking advantage of shadows and using contrasts to create intriguing illumination solutions that make spaces look exciting.

To make sure you start on the right footing, you should work with a thought-out design that will guide your choices and ensure you achieve the desired results. Keep in mind that the fixtures you install will not only light up objects and surfaces but also add some drama to them, making them stand out.

For instance, the security lighting can light the entryways and paths leading to the house, but they can also be used to highlight the architectural features of your home. Hence, identify the areas you can shine a light on and find the most suitable lighting solutions for each. While doing this, try to understand the various types of fixtures available, comparing each against the other to come up with the perfect lighting plan. Also, think of the security levels they provide as well as their maintenance demands.

Such issues are addressed in the following guide, which aims to help ease the process for you when trying to figure out what to pick and the different ways you can illuminate your outdoor space.

1. Types Of Outdoor Lighting

  • Task Lighting: Your design plan should start with the task lighting, which will brighten up the entrances and pathways. You need to install these lights to help with safety and security in your outdoors. Options include deck lighting, pathway lights, step lights, among others. If the fixtures are installed in an area where it will be exposed to the elements, consider getting those with an excellent wet-rating. Moreover, ensure the light fixture is suited for the outdoor lighting you need.
  • Ambient Lighting: You need these features for your overall outdoor lighting. However, avoid going for bulbs that are too bright. Pick those that lower lumens or wattage; their illumination is adequate for dark spaces that need not be made bright at night. Post lights, wall lights, and any other options that emit a comfortable level of brightness devoid of glare, yet allowing people to see where they are walking will be an ideal choice.
  • Accent Lighting: You can add some drama to your outdoors using accent lights. They help create visual interests that draw peoples towards an object or surface. Take the time to think of your doorway, paths, and landscaping, as well as other features like trees, water fountains, or planting areas when planning how you will illuminate them.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today if you need a professional lighting designer with your outdoor lighting design. Click here for the second issue of this article?