Helpful Ideas To Choosing A Landscape Lighting Designer In Houston

Posted by Robert Huff on

10 Tips To Do Before Hiring A Houston Landscape Lighting Designer

When you think about the ideal landscape lighting for your outdoor spaces you might be imagining dramatic uplighting that showcases the most attractive features of your home. Or maybe you have thought about artistic moonlighting that creates dappled shadows across either your driveway or a patio.

Yet these are just ideas and your more challenging task still remains. This includes hiring a professional designer that is able to successfully create a landscape-lighting wonderland for your garden.

Installing a landscape-lighting system of the highest quality takes artistry, experience, and skill. You cannot afford to just use anybody for this type of job. This is the reason why it is so important that you know exactly what you should be looking for before you hire the right type of landscape-lighting contractor.

Here is a list of our 10 top tips that you can use to find the best landscape-lighting designer for your project!

1. Ask The Contractor About Their Qualifications & Experience

Experience is what turns someone that is good at something into an expert, and this is an important consideration when it comes to hiring landscape lighting designers. It is also important to make sure the designer has attended training in association with this specialization and that they are licensed.

2. Review Photos Of The Lighting Projects That This Company Has Already Worked On

Are the stunning photos that are promoted on their website actually their work? Qualified contractors will always have impressive galleries that showcase the work they have recently done.

3. Check On References

The skilled landscape lighting designers will happily provide you with references from satisfied clients that are able to recommend the company.

4. Make Sure That The Designer Is Prepared To Work With You

This project should be seen as a type of partnership. You should not get the feeling that it is their way or no way. An experienced designer will work with you to find out about your lifestyle and your ideas for the project. In this way, you can be sure that you will end up with the type of lighting system that you want.

5. Inquire Whether Lighting Is Their Only Focus

You are not looking for a jack-of-all-trades for a lighting project. You need an expert that is skilled and experienced when it comes to landscape lighting and someone that focuses on this line of work all the time. For example, if your car started giving you transmission problems, you would not take the car to your local tire shop.

6. Ask The Designer About The Quality Of The Materials That They Plan To Use

This is a very important consideration. The end result for your landscape-lighting system will only be of the best quality when quality parts have been used.

The designer should be using quality components that are crafted from copper and brass, and not low-quality composite, aluminum, or plastic.

As soon as the lighting system is in place, it is exposed to the elements. Water can seep into fixtures of low-quality, it can also result in rotting sockets or even cause the wires to corrode. Insects can also make a home in your fixtures when they are not sealed properly.

You also need to find out how the designer plans to connect the light fixtures to the wiring which will run to a power source. Pierce connectors and wire nut should not go underground, yet many of the systems for landscape lighting use these anyway. The pierce-point connections that run to a mainline can start to loosen and can corrode at the pierce points. This is why quality really matters.

7. Communication Is Essential

Is the designer prepared to keep you constantly in the loop throughout the duration of the project? Will they also tell you when they arrive as well as when they have completed the project? You also need to make sure they are prepared to follow up with you to ensure everything is working and that it meets up to your expectations.

8. Only Sign A Contract That Covers All The Details

The designer needs to include everything that he/she plans to do. This should include a payment schedule, deadlines, and the materials that will be used. If any changes are made to the landscape lighting schedule this needs to include a “change order” in writing that will also cover the new costs, materials, and work.

9. Ask The Designer About The Warranty That They Provide

The lighting system you have installed should have a guarantee that covers at least 2 to 5 years. Try and find a contractor that offers lifetime warranties that will cover the installation and fixtures.

10. Ensure That The Designer Is Available In The Future To Service Your Landscape Lighting System

You want the LED lighting system to still look great like it did 2 to 8 years down the line.

Design Outdoor Lighting That Is Able To Reflect Your Lifestyle

One thing that we really enjoy when it comes to this type of work is the relationships that we develop with our clients. We enjoy finding out about your opinions and thoughts, exchanging suggestions and ideas, and staying in contact with our customers throughout these processes.

We start each of our potential client relationships by asking “Why do you want landscape lighting?” We also ask you about what you would like to achieve from the project, about your current lifestyle, and how you utilize your outdoor areas. We listen very closely to what you have to say. Once we have an understanding of what a client wants, we are able to create a system according to what they need and want. Clients notice how we pay attention to all the details when we conduct a walkthrough of the property. We also make sketches and jot down detailed notes at these meetings.

Customized Landscape Lighting Design Services

The styles that we use for our designs for landscape lighting are unique like our clients are. With every new client, we help each new dream to turn into a reality. The overall goal for most clients is to ensure their properties appear dramatic and striking when the sun goes down.

The Advantages Of Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting not only provides elegance and beauty but also assists with improving your overall security for your home. When areas around your home are well lit, it can help to deter criminals. LED landscape lighting can also significantly increase the overall value of your property in Austin or Houston, and make the home a lot more appealing if you ever decide to sell.

Robert Huff Landscape Illumination Is The Best Name In Houston Landscape Lighting

Robert Huff Landscape Illumination is backed by three decades of experience in landscape lighting in the area of Houston. Our company is a fully insured and licensed outdoor lighting business, based in Houston, TX. We also provide our outdoor lighting services in Austin, TX. Our friendly and professional team of commercial and outdoor residential lighting contractors work alongside you to guarantee custom lighting designs that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and affordable. We consistently maintain high levels of responsibility and professional care on every project that we undertake. You can always expect superior quality services from start to finish, as we turn something ordinary and plain into something magnificent.

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!

Thoughtful Ideas For Choosing A Houston Porch Light

Posted by Robert Huff on

Shopping A Porch Light In Houston: Tips & Tricks

The right porch light does more than just let you see your way around obstacles when it’s dark. Ideally, it’s also something that commands respect while inviting friends and family to your porch. When a porch is lit up enough, it means that the surroundings of your entrance are safer, as possible intruders are deterred. Picking out a good porch light isn’t really different than selecting a good piece of jewelry. You just need to be thoughtful about it while paying attention to detail.

Placement

Where you intend to put your porch light should guide you in picking out the best one. For instance, if you’re looking to replace a current wall light, then your options are limited to just wall-mounted fixtures. If you’re going to add porch lighting, then you have more options, but you also have to verify your circuit capacity in advance. You can put porch lights on any posts that support the roof of the porch, or you can put them on the ceiling, using either flush-mount or hanging options. If you decide to, you might even install recessed lights right into the porch floor. Weather is not likely to be a factor since manufacturers design their porch lights to get used outdoors.

Style

There are times where the architecture of your home impacts what kind of fixture is best; having said that, if your home is lacking in specific characteristics, you have the more creative freedom to enjoy. Porch lights are available in quite a few styles, with certain options being casual, traditional, contemporary, rustic, and Southwestern, as well as many more. If you want to light up your colonial-style home, then you should lean more towards traditional styles over rustic options, for instance. Still, even in colonial styles, particular aesthetics can matter, since a Cape Cod looks better with nautical lighting than Georgian colonials do. Whatever fixture style you do pick, just make sure you emphasize consistency over being eclectic.

Size

How big your porch light is needed to be a balance between the home’s overall size and the size of the entry door. If your door is the standard size of 6 feet 8 inches, then industry experts suggest your porch lighting be from 5 up to 9 inches in width. If your entry door is in the realm of 8 feet in height, then your porch light should follow suit at 10 to 12 inches wide. If you decided to install more than one light for your porch, be sure that they are all the same width and size, or at least relatively close; this holds true for wall lights, hanging lights, and flush mounts.

Functionality

A lot of decorative porch lights now come with photoelectric eyes in-built for dusk-to-dawn function, which means you don’t have to ever remember to turn them on or off. Motion-sensor porch lights also have timers built-in that turn them on when the sun sets so they stay lit for predetermined times you set. Once the light goes off, it reactivates when the motion sensor registers movement. Take note of the wattage recommendations of fixtures if you are in need of bright porch light. Never exceed the recommended wattage, or you might risk damaging your light. If you want to boost the brightness without going past the wattage of a fixture, swap out incandescent bulbs with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs.

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!

Helpful Ideas To Investing In Houston Outdoor Lighting

Posted by Robert Huff on

7 Tips To Help You Get It Right When Investing In Outdoor Lighting

With summer now here with us, you most likely are gearing up to enjoying the great outdoors. Your backyard may become your favorite place to chill in when you are at home or when hosting your friends for lunch or dinner. Therefore, the fun should not stop when the sun sets because you do not have any outdoor lighting.

When investing in the outdoor lights, keep in mind that the lighting options are not created the same. Moreover, setting up the lights involves more than installing them on the walls or hanging string lights from the roof. You should strive to create an elegant ambiance, and this demands that you choose the right lighting fixture.

1. Include These Types

When planning the lighting, you need to account for three basic types: task, ambiance, and accent. That means you need to pick the right kind of lights for each of the three. The task lighting will be the lights you install to illuminate the walkway, deck, driveway, patio, and the security lights. The ambiance lighting will be what you fit on the walls, posts, and string from the roof. As for the accent lighting, you will be working with lights that enhance your landscaping; this can include options such as spotlights.

2. Calculate

Before heading out to buy the outdoor lights, you should know how many fixtures you need and which kind. For this, you will need to get a pen and paper and do some calculations. You will take the square footage of your yard and multiply it by 1.5 to estimate the required total wattage. Therefore, a 100sq. feet area will need 150watts.

3. Make Your Pick In Advance

After doing your calculations and figuring the wattage, you then will focus on the type of lighting fixtures you need. You will take into account their size and installation position before you go to buy them. You will need to draw a template of the layout on paper and use it to determine the placement of each light. For instance, for the patio at the back or the front porch, you will position the wall lights a height that is one-third that of the door.

4. Use LEDs

LEDs that the best investment when it comes to lighting up your backyard. The lights are cost-effective, less energy demanding, and last longer than the incandescent or halogen bulbs. Moreover, LEDs need little to no maintenance.

5. Seek Inspiration Inside Your Home

If you feel lost when figuring out the layout plan for the outdoor lights or what to pick, you can get some idea from inside your house and the arrangement of your outdoor space. Look at the garden and how the pathways flow, consider the size and design of your patio and then image what lighting fixtures will accentuate them. If you are thinking of creating a lit area of your outdoor dinners, then get some inspirations from your dining or living rooms.

6. Use Subtle Light For Entertainment Areas

Bright spotlights will be a distraction to your guests when they are seated enjoying their outdoor meal. As such, you should consider installing lamps with a soft glow. Subtlety is the name of the game when it comes to lighting up the outdoor dining areas, and the lights should be installed to give indirect lighting. Pendants, ceiling fans that have light kits, and lanterns are excellent options worth considering.

7. Think About Security

Lastly, remember that outdoor lighting is not just about enhancing the aesthetics of your yard. They also should help secure your home. Given this, you need fixtures that will ensure that all entry points are well lit. For instance, you can install wall lanterns on either side of the garage and a single lamp above the main door to light up the front porch. You can fit spotlights on the eaves of your roof at selected sides of the house that are in the shadows.

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!

Understanding You Should Choose Houston LED Lights

Posted by Robert Huff on

What Makes LED lights So Superior In Houston?

LED lights offer the most cost-effective way of lighting your home, office, or storefront. They are also an energy-efficient solution. The bulbs or lighting systems are based on LED technology. LEDs (light-emitting diodes) come into the scene with a bang and quickly took the helm as the most economical option when it comes to lighting. The can be found in major hardware and retailer stores across the country.

In as much as the LED lighting has taken the helm, many people are still using the fluorescent and halogen bulbs. They are yet to discover the advantages of the LEDs and why they have quickly become cheap and highly efficient lighting methods over recent years.

1. Incredible Efficiency

With an efficiency score of 80% – 90% for electrical energy generated compared to the traditional lighting options, it means that the LED converts electricity to light in a more effective way. That means that only 20% – 10% of the energy is lost during the process. For the incandescent bulbs, the figures are seemingly the reverse, with an energy loss of more than 80% in the form of heat.

2. Unsurpassed Longevity

Since the lights designed to have low carbon emissions, the LED lights are thus made to have a longer life span than other types of lights. The lights last six times longer than the conventional bulbs; therefore, they reduce the frequency of doing replacements. As a result, there are few lights needs, and this lowers the need for the resources need to make these lights.

The standard LED bulb has a lifespan of approximately 50,000 operational hours. Comparatively, this is 50 times longer than the lifespan of an incandescent bulb and roughly 20-25 times longer than for a halogen bulb. When the LED reaches its limit, it starts emitting a lower illumination that becomes less bright over time. This is very different for the standard bulbs that burn out and stop working.

3. Operate Using Low Voltage

Being low energy-consuming lighting options, the LEDs require little power to operate. As such, they will light up even when powered by a solar system. They do not generate any heat, thus they will not become hot to the touch. And the fact that they do not emit any UV rays makes them perfect for lighting textile and food displays.

95% of the energy directed into lighting LEDs is converted into light meaning only 5% is lost as heat. This makes the LEDs 80% more efficient than conventional lamps such as incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. The LED lights have a lower energy demand; a 36-watt LED will generate the same lighting intensity as would the typical fluorescent 84-watt lamp. The decrease in electricity demand means power plants are not pressured to deliver more energy, and this helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Little Maintenance

The long lifespan means that the LEDs do not need frequent replacement compared to their incandescent counterparts. As such, this reduces the need for maintenance and the resource involved in such, especially is large public areas such as the train stations.

5. Environmentally Friendly

The LED technology fully embraces eco-friendly guidelines; as such, these lights do not have any toxic elements. Most of the fluorescents used in office contain harmful chemicals such as mercury that can pollute the environment when disposed of incorrectly. Moreover, such a thing should be done via the recommended channels such as via a registered waste carrier. The use of LEDs is devoid of these things; thus, you can cut down on costs and save time wasted in complying with the disposal protocols.

Furthermore, the LEDs do not emit any UV rays and are 100% recyclable; therefore, the best investment if you are keen on reducing your carbon footprint. To help put things into perspective, one LED lamp can serve you for a period in which you would have used roughly more than 25 incandescent bulbs. That means that you can save on production if you switch to the LEDs.

6. Durability

The LED lights have some of the most rugged components that can withstand the harshest of conditions. They are resistant to shock and vibrations thus less likely to break. Some of the fluorescent bulbs are affected by a drop in the temperatures more so those installed in outdoor spaces. The LED lamps are not susceptible to such climatic changes.

7. Instantaneous Illumination

When you turn on an LED lamp, it lights up immediately and emits the set full range of illumination. That is why these lights are becoming a standard feature in infrastructure projects such as traffic lights and signals. The constant on and off switching of these lights do not impact the longevity and illumination intensity of the LEDs. Such performance is a sharp contrast to the conventional bulbs that drastically lose their operational life when they are repeatedly turned on and off within very short periods.

8. Many Color Options

While white lights are a top preference for many, you also can find the LEDs in an array of colors. Some LED modules even have a mix of colors in one lighting device; these are called RGB modules. They are designed to achieve a broad spectrum of colors when operated.

9. A Compact Solution

The lights can be made to be as small are 2mm. That means that they can be used or fitted in some of the hard to reach places that have limited to no lighting.

10. Assortment Of Design Options

Based on their design and technology, these lights offer flexibility, which means they can be made to conform to any shape for different applications. Moreover, they can also be set up in a controlled system while individual diodes can be dimmed to manage the level of illumination in a given area. With options ranging from color variations and lighting intensity, LEDs suffice to meet different needs and demands. The LEDs can be found in cars, classes, medical rooms, airplanes, and factories.

11. A Better Distribution Of Light

The intensity and clarity of the light that the LEDs emit means that you can focus the light in one direction without having to depend on a reflector. And those with a dimmer function offer greater control. As such, it is possible to manage the amount of light to distribute over a given area.

The Verdict

LEDs are the way of the future. They are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and energy-saving lighting solutions for residential and commercial areas and applications. Therefore, you should make the smart move today and switch to LED bulbs.

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 Guide For Choosing LED Lights In Houston

Posted by Robert Huff on

What Makes Houston LED Lights So Superior?

LED lights offer the most cost-effective way of lighting your home, office, or storefront. They are also an energy-efficient solution. The bulbs or lighting systems are based on LED technology. LEDs (light-emitting diodes) come into the scene with a bang and quickly took the helm as the most economical option when it comes to lighting. The can be found in major hardware and retailer stores across the country.

In as much as the LED lighting has taken the helm, many people are still using the fluorescent and halogen bulbs. They are yet to discover the advantages of the LEDs and why they have quickly become cheap and highly efficient lighting methods over recent years.

1. Incredible Efficiency

With an efficiency score of 80% – 90% for electrical energy generated compared to the traditional lighting options, it means that the LED converts electricity to light in a more effective way. That means that only 20% – 10% of the energy is lost during the process. For the incandescent bulbs, the figures are seemingly the reverse, with an energy loss of more than 80% in the form of heat.

2. Unsurpassed Longevity

Since the lights designed to have low carbon emissions, the LED lights are thus made to have a longer life span than other types of lights. The lights last six times longer than the conventional bulbs; therefore, they reduce the frequency of doing replacements. As a result, there are few lights needs, and this lowers the need for the resources need to make these lights.

The standard LED bulb has a lifespan of approximately 50,000 operational hours. Comparatively, this is 50 times longer than the lifespan of an incandescent bulb and roughly 20-25 times longer than for a halogen bulb. When the LED reaches its limit, it starts emitting a lower illumination that becomes less bright over time. This is very different for the standard bulbs that burn out and stop working.

3. Operate Using Low Voltage

Being low energy-consuming lighting options, the LEDs require little power to operate. As such, they will light up even when powered by a solar system. They do not generate any heat, thus they will not become hot to the touch. And the fact that they do not emit any UV rays makes them perfect for lighting textile and food displays.

95% of the energy directed into lighting LEDs is converted into light meaning only 5% is lost as heat. This makes the LEDs 80% more efficient than conventional lamps such as incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. The LED lights have a lower energy demand; a 36-watt LED will generate the same lighting intensity as would the typical fluorescent 84-watt lamp. The decrease in electricity demand means power plants are not pressured to deliver more energy, and this helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Little Maintenance

The long lifespan means that the LEDs do not need frequent replacement compared to their incandescent counterparts. As such, this reduces the need for maintenance and the resource involved for such, especially is large public areas such as the train stations.

5. Environmentally Friendly

The LED technology fully embraces eco-friendly guidelines; as such, these lights do not have any toxic elements. Most of the fluorescents used in office contain harmful chemicals such as mercury that can pollute the environment when disposed of incorrectly. Moreover, such a thing should be done via the recommended channels such as via a registered waste carrier. The use of LEDs is devoid of these things; thus, you can cut down on costs and save time wasted in complying with the disposal protocols.

Furthermore, the LEDs do not emit any UV rays and are 100% recyclable; therefore, the best investment if you are keen on reducing your carbon footprint. To help put things into perspective, one LED lamp can serve you for a period in which you would have used roughly more than 25 incandescent bulbs. That means that you can save on production if you switch to the LEDs.

6. Durability

The LED lights have some of the most rugged components that can withstand the harshest of conditions. They are resistant to shock and vibrations thus less likely to break. Some of the fluorescent bulbs are affected by a drop in the temperatures more so those installed in outdoor spaces. The LED lamps are not susceptible to such climatic changes.

7. Instantaneous Illumination

When you turn on an LED lamp, it lights up immediately and emits the set full range of illumination. That is why these lights are becoming a standard feature in infrastructure projects such as traffic lights and signals. The constant on and off switching of these lights do not impact the longevity and illumination intensity of the LEDs. Such performance is a sharp contrast to the conventional bulbs that drastically lose their operational life when they are repeatedly turned on and off within very short periods.

8. Many Color Options

While white lights are a top preference for many, you also can find the LEDs in an array of colors. Some LED modules even have a mix of colors in one lighting device; these are called RGB modules. They are designed to achieve a broad spectrum of colors when operated.

9. A Compact Solution

The lights can be made to be as small are 2mm. That means that they can be used or fitted in some of the hard to reach places that have limited to no lighting.

10. Assortment Of Design Options

Based on their design and technology, these lights offer flexibility, which means they can be made to conform to any shape for different applications. Moreover, they can also be set up in a controlled system while individual diodes can be dimmed to manage the level of illumination in a given area. With options ranging from color variations and lighting intensity, LEDs suffice to meet different needs and demands. The LEDs can be found in cars, classes, medical rooms, airplanes, and factories.

11. A Better Distribution Of Light

The intensity and clarity of the light that the LEDs emit means that you can focus the light in one direction without having to depend on a reflector. And those with a dimmer function offer greater control. As such, it is possible to manage the amount of light to distribute over a given area.

The Verdict

LEDs are the way of the future. They are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and energy-saving lighting solutions for residential and commercial areas and applications. Therefore, you should make the smart move today and switch to LED bulbs.

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!

Understanding The Effects For Your Houston Outdoor Lighting

Posted by Robert Huff on

Considering The Effects For Your Outdoor Lighting In Houston

You will need full knowledge of the temperatures, nature, types, and sources of your lighting elements if you will use their effects to the maximum in an outdoor location.

Modern lighting technology has become very advanced and now lighting designers can choose between the colors, brightness and even the “heat” or temperature of the light. Because these will be measured in Kelvins, we have lighting sources delivering a warm amber glow at cooler kelvins and those delivering the cold white light at higher registers.

Kelvin Color Temperature Scale

The Kelvin range that most manufacturers and designers use to describe residential lighting is between 2500k and 4000k. As a rule of thumb, you want to use the warmer colors and registers between 2500 and 2700 for illuminating architectural features. The cooler whiter lights and those between 3000k and 4000k can be used to illuminate plants and landscapes.

The Best Color Temperature For Your Landscape Lighting

Color temperatures can be described as how warm or cool they appear to be, or simply put, how far they are on the scale between amber (warm) and white (cool). The right temperature of light can be chosen for the subjects they will be illuminating and the situation they will be placed. There are no rules here, but there are some pointers that can help to achieve certain looks. Sometimes moving things around and testing different effects is the best idea.

One important tip is that bluish, white and cooler colors tend to make a poor choice in an outdoor scenario. This is because these bluer tones on the soft natural tones outside tend to make things look sickly and dead. Instead, choose a warmer color tone, something between 2700k and 3000k LED is the best option. 2700 is a very warm tone and akin to having a glowing campfire in the vicinity that casts a comforting glow on everything around. This is a great way to create soothing, relaxing and comfortable exterior effects.

Some Specific Lighting & Light Suggestions

If you will be lighting outdoor entertainment areas, such as fireplaces, cookouts, and gazebos, use lights at the lowest end of the Kelvin scale. These lights at about 2000k provide the warmest of glows much like the soft glow of a candle or a tiki torch. Located strategically in your entertainment area, this will create an especially romantic tone.

A 4000k artificial light placed high above the tree makes a perfect moon glow that reflects deeply over the foliage and features below. These artificial moonlights come equipped with a glare shield that keeps the light pointed in the desired direction.

Choose the Warm White (2700K). This LED is a lot like halogen-type landscape lighting. The color choice is especially popular for a variety of situations. This is also considered one of the best lighting temperatures as it is especially relaxing and soothing to the mind.

Warm or Natural White (3000K). Slightly cooler than 2700 can be used in a wide variety of situations for a more refined and sophisticated look, many modern landscapers prefer this temperature for accentuating greens in vegetation.

Cool White (4000K) is very blue compared to the popular 2700k, this option is chosen to illuminate vegetation that is already blue in color and this includes many types of grass, shrubs, and trees like the blue spruce and juniper.

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!