A Guide On Budgeting For Your Houston Outdoor Lighting

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Budgeting Tips For Your Outdoor Lighting In Houston

Have you been thinking of upgrading (or installing) your outdoor lighting but still not sure how much to budget for the same? Unless you have plenty of money to spend, proper budgeting is required to make the entire process a success. In addition to the several factors and variables, you have to consider when budgeting for the outdoor lights, the size of the property will determine how many fixtures you will need. A larger property/home will require more fixtures, while a smaller one will only need a few. The more fixtures you need, the more money you’ll have to spend and vice versa.

Working with a designer should help you plan well for the project. Knowing what part of the outdoor lighting is crucial, and those that aren’t as important will help the designer plan well, and even see you save you some money in the process. For instance, are you looking for improved aesthetic appeal or security and safety? Taking into consideration what matters, and the reasons why these have to be installed will also make planning much easier. Focusing on aesthetics means some bit of security might be left out. You could, however, add more fixtures (with available funds) to get a balance of both.

Here are a few options to consider for outdoor lighting:

1. Entryway Lighting

Entryway lighting provides a warm and friendly entry to the house. This type of lighting is prevalent in most homes. This is because it acts as both securities for deterring unwanted guests as well as safety for family and guests.

2. Safety & Task Lighting

This is more of functionality lighting commonly adopted in outdoor patio lighting, stairway lighting, and pathway lighting. These lights help create ambiance while improving safety.

3. Tree lighting Or Up Lighting

These light fixtures are designed to shine from underneath trees and houses.

4. Moonlighting Or Down Lighting

As the name suggests, this lighting technique aims at recreating the moonlight effect on the landscape.

5. Accent Lighting

This type of lighting aims at highlighting distinct features on the landscape. These include garden accents, water features, sculptures, etc.

Control

Are you looking to control the light manually or wish to have a smart system do it for you? Whatever your options are, we can make it happen. We can have the lights installed in such a way that they come on at a specific time of the day/night automatically, hence require minimal to no attention at all. The system turns the lights off automatically to save energy.

The cost of outdoor lighting varies from one property to another. This is however dependent on the size of the property and what fixtures you choose for the same. We can also offer you special offers for the lighting fixtures, hence keep your budget on the low. Our special offers, however, apply for homes or properties of less than 5000 sq. ft.

We at Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting offer a wide range of properties and services ranging from LED landscape lighting, outdoor lighting, and accent lighting in Houston. We can also handle the installations for both residential and commercial areas as well. Contact us or call us today at (713) 861-2000 for a free estimate.

residential and commercial led low voltage landscape lighting

How To Save Energy On Your Outdoor Lighting In Houston

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5 Tips On How To Save Energy On Your Houston Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lights are a favorite for many households. They are great for front and back yard aesthetics and decorations. Besides, outdoor lighting provides the perfect setting for arranging evening parties in your backyard and also secures your home. However, outdoor lighting has a major disadvantage, the amount of energy spent and the related bills. But, as experienced outdoor lighting professionals, we understand that homeowners can utilize outdoor lighting that saves energy, leading to energy efficiency and cost savings.

1. Pick LED OR CFL Bulbs

Incandescent bulbs fitted on the front yard are mostly left on for the entire night, meaning a lot of energy is used up. Instead of using incandescent on your front porch, we recommend you switch to light-emitting diode (LED) or compact fluorescent lights (CFL) bulbs.

2. Use Timers With Your Lights

Your electricity costs will drop significantly if you set your outdoor lights with a photocell to sense daylight or a motion sensor, or both. By doing this, your outdoor lighting will only be turned on when it is necessary. We advise that you avoid using CFLs with sensors since the sensors will reduce the life of your CFL lights. The electrodes in a CFL are negatively impacted by each instance of starting voltage which leads to gradual deterioration and eventual breakdown. The key factor that influences the longevity of a CFL bulb is the number of times that it is turned on. On the other hand, LEDs cope perfectly when used with sensors.

3. Always Clean The Lights

Ensuring that your outdoor light fixtures and bulbs are always clean will prolong their life. Any dirt that settles on the bulbs will absorb light and reduce the efficiency of your lights. To clean your lights, turn them off to allow the bulbs to cool, then spray them with a cleaning spray before wiping them with a microfiber cloth.

4. Solar Lighting Fixtures

The sun will do you a huge favor on saving the energy consumption of your outdoor lighting. Though Houston experiences rain in some periods, the majority of the days are sunny. So, make maximum use of the sunlight, and experiment with outdoor solar lighting. Solar lights are designed in several unique styles and perform effectively when used to line pathways to your house or the driveways.

5. Twinkly Lights

Twinkly lights radiate a welcoming ambiance and warm glow that is perfect for patios. The common twinkly string lightings have LED and solar versions, besides, LED lights to consume 50-80% lower energy than incandescent bulbs. This assists them to have a longer life and remain cool, which also helps in reducing fire risk.

In the Houston landscape lighting field, Robert Huff Landscape Illumination has more than 3 decades of experience. Based in Houston, TX, we are a fully insured and licensed lighting company that also provides outdoor lighting within Austin, TX. Our warm commercial lighting and outdoor home lighting team in Houston will liaise with you to deliver a customized lighting layout that is effective, affordable, and beautiful to look at. We guarantee a superior level of professional service and responsibility for every project we handle. Throughout every stage of our service, we will provide quality that will transform your ordinary home into a magnificent place.

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 Choosing A Landscape Lighting Designer In Houston

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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!

The Works That You Should Leave To A Professional Electrician In Houston

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4 Projects Only A Certified Houston Electrician Should Handle

Faulty grounding, overloaded circuits, and poor wire connections are some of the mistakes you don’t want to do in your home. These will most certainly put your loved ones (including yourself) at risk. Certified electricians undergo extensive training, which helps them understand the various electrical codes. It doesn’t cost much to have a certified electrician diagnose and fix any electrical problems you might have. While you might be able to handle various electrical installations, here are 4 projects that are best handled by a licensed electrician.

1. Circuit Breaker Upgrades

There are times when you are required to have your electrical service panel or circuit breakers upgraded to support the current electrical needs. Maybe you had a few more appliances installed in the house, the lights are flickering, or you keep blowing up a fuse. Having the circuit breaker upgraded could solve the problem. While it may seem like a simple job, upgrading a circuit breaker panel isn’t an easy job. Many factors have to be put into consideration to ensure it supports all the appliances and current required. That said, only a certified electrician should be allowed to handle such projects.

2. Adding GFCI Receptacles, Outlets, USB Ports

If you need a few extra power outlets in the house or need GCFI upgrades, then an electrician is the person to call for the job. Electricians understand that GCFI outlets are essential in high-risk areas such as the kitchen and the bathroom, which is why you should have at least one of these outlets installed. GFCI outlets are designed to cut power or electricity if the line comes in contact with water. This thus reduces the risk of shock and unbalanced electrical load.

Improper grounding is one of the leading causes of shock, loss of power, and even electrical fires in many homes. An experienced electrician should be able to handle the installations expertly and also add any outlets and USB ports in the house safely. Adding some of these outlets entails cutting into the wall. A trained person will know just how this should be done to prevent damage and do a clean job.

3. Outdoor Lighting

Security and ambient lighting come in hand in many homes. If looking to add a few more security lights or outdoor lights into the compound, you might as well call a certified electrician. He/she should be able to thread the wiring and even ground it properly to reduce potential risks. The electrician will not only handle the installations but also advice you on the best lighting elements for the job. Any part used for outdoor lighting should have the capacity to withstand the harsh weather outside.

4. Replace Light Fixtures

Many homeowners can replace light fixtures with ease. There are however instances when you aren’t sure what or where to get the replacement fixtures from. Several factors such as load, amperage, and whether the existing wiring supports the fixture ought to be considered before replacing one. Nonetheless, a qualified electrician should be able to identify and determine the right accessory to use for the same. Other factors that the electrician will consider are high-temperature insulation (not present in older homes) and a strong ceiling mount.

Unless you are sure of what to do, always call a certified electrician to help with any electrical project you have. This will save you from trouble and money too.

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

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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!

A Complete Guide To Cleaning Your Houston Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

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Cleaning Outdoor Lighting Fixtures In Houston: Tips & Tricks

The reason why many invest in outdoor lighting is that it illuminates the entryway as well as the driveway and walkway. Furthermore, they also help improve security. Another reason as to why exterior lighting is considered to be a good investment is because they also enhance the appearance of a house and adds character at the same time. However, when these outdoor lightings start to get old, they begin to oxidize and lose their beauty. When this happens, you can choose to get rid of the oxidation instead of replacing all the exterior lightings.

Cleaning your homes exterior copper or decorative metal or brass lighting fixtures can improve your outdoor lighting as well as the curbside appeal of your home. Moreover, different fixtures are cleaned using different cleaning methods. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean some of these outdoor lighting fixtures.

Cleaning Copper, Lacquer-coated Brass Or Metal Lighting Fixtures

Here are the things you need for cleaning copper, lacquer-coated brass or metal lighting fixtures:

  • Protective Gloves
  • Step Ladder
  • Hot Water
  • Flat Paintbrush (for removing dust)
  • Old Towel
  • Screwdriver
  • Two Utility Buckets
  • A Soft Piece Of Clothing For Cleaning
  • Glass Cleaner
  • Liquid Dishwashing Soap
  • Liquid Wax (optional for added protection)

Step # 1

Before you start cleaning your outdoor lighting fixtures, the first thing that you need do is make sure that they are turned off. Check all the switches before proceeding on. After that use a noncontact voltage sensor to test whether the outdoor lighting fixtures are turned off correctly. Place the noncontract voltage sensor against the electrical box and hold a dusk-to-down photocell. If the outdoor lighting fixtures are turned off correctly, then the lights will automatically turn off and on.

Step # 2

On a flat surface, carefully place the ladder close the o the outdoor light fixture.

Step # 3

Make sure you have your protective gloves on.

Step # 4

Carefully remove the bulbs so that it can be easy for you to clean both the outside and the inside of the light fixtures. Try to untwist the top or the bottom of the fixture so that it can be easy for you to reach the bulb.

Step # 5

Get rid of all spider webs, dust and bug debris using an old household paintbrush.

Step # 6

Besides removing the bulbs, you also have to remove other decorative items such as globes, shields and even grills. Us a screwdriver to remove these items without damaging them and store them on a soft surface.

Step # 7

Use the two utility buckets to create suds by mixing dishwashing soap and hot water. After that, it is advisable that you test the cleaner on s small section before you can proceed on to cleaning all the lighting fixtures.

Step # 8

Soak the miscellaneous parts that have been removed and the shied in a bucket filled will clean soapy water.

Step # 9

Use a soft piece of clothing or a sponge to clean the remaining parts of the fixtures that cannot be removed. However, make sure that you do not wet the electrical sockets when cleaning. If the accidentally reaches the sockets, then use a dry piece of clothing to rinse the soapy water.

Step # 10

After that make sure that you remove other parts of the fixtures from the water including the shield and the globe. Use clean water to rinse these items and dry them using a clean towel.

Step # 11

Use paste wax of nonabrasive liquid polish to make your metal surface shine again. You can also use car wax to do this if you do not have paste wax or nonabrasive liquid polish. However, make sure that the surface is dry before you start on the outside part.

Step # 12

To shine and clean the glass panes as well as the surface and shades, use a commercial glass cleaner. Also, remember to clean the exterior of the light glass using paper towels or a glass cleaner.

Step # 13

Clean the light bulbs using a damp piece of clothing. After that, you need to reinsert each bulb carefully and then reassemble the fixture. Do not switch on the circuit breaker until the fixtures have completely dried off.

Here are the things you should not do when cleaning outdoor lighting fixtures:

  • Avoid doing the following things so that you do not end up damaging the protective lacquer coating
  • Avoid using chemical-based cleaners.
  • Avoid using a piece of clothing that is not soft.
  • Avoid using products that contain alcohol or ammonia.

Cleaning True Brass, Copper, & Artisan Outdoor Lighting

Cleaning cooper or real brass lighting can be done using various kitchen ingredients such as salt and lemon. Furthermore, the ingredients are easy to find and very effective at clearing copper and brass fixtures. Here is a step by step guide on how to clean copper and brass suing kitchen ingredients.

Salt & Lemon

Gently remove any small spots of tarnish from the copper or brass by slowly rubbing the lemon onto the surface. To get good results, make sure that you mix both the salt and the lemon juice using equal measure. Use a soft piece of clothing to rub the paste on the surface so that it can be easy to remove the dirt. Fill a bucket with warm water and use it to rinse the surface before drying it at the end.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is considered to be an eco-friendly alternative for cleaning outdoor lighting fixtures. All you have to do is mix baking soda with lemon juice to create a unique paste. The paste is then applied on a soft piece of clothing which is used to clean the surface of the fixtures. If you come across tough stains, use baking soda alone to get rid of the stain. Using the same procedure, apply baking soda on a soft cloth and rub on the surface. After removing all the dirt, remove the paste by washing it off using water and a mixture of vegetable-based soap.

Our Legacy

Robert Huff Landscape Illumination has been working in this industry for more than 30 years. Our company is licensed by the State and insured. We deliver services to clients who are located in Houston, TX. We also cover other areas such as Austin, TX. Our services are open to both commercial and residential clients. Our team of trained and experienced staff will make sure that your lights are in good condition and working properly. Furthermore, we offer quality services at an affordable cost.

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!

 

Knowing How Our Outdoor Lights Are Wired In Houston

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Tips For Wiring Your Houston Outdoor Lights

Like other types of light, most outdoor lights need electricity to operate. That electricity is usually provided through wires. Having said that, there is no need to panic about your outdoor space getting overrun with wires. Most wiring for outdoor lighting runs underground, meaning that you won’t even see the wires after they are in place. Any above-ground wiring is usually designed to blend with the surrounding area so that it isn’t noticeable at a glance. Read on to get some helpful tips on wiring outdoor lights.

Every lighting situation requires a unique solution when it comes to wiring. For instance, the type of lighting that you choose for a pathway will usually be a lot different than what you choose for a driveway. The section below outlines some of the most popular ways to wire outdoor light fixtures.

Understanding Transformers

If you use transformers to power your outdoor lights, each light fixture is wired to the transformer. The wires themselves can either be above or below the ground. The transformer is then plugged into an outdoor outlet. Below is some more information so you can get a better idea of how these devices operate.

Transformers help your lights work in one of two ways: they either use a photocell or a timer. Transformers that operate on a timer are designed to automatically turn the lights off or on at specific times of the day. Transformers with a photocell, on the other hand, automatically detect the level of light outside, turning the lights on when it gets dark and shutting them off when it gets light. Transformers like these are popular for use in ponds.

Wiring The Lights To A Switch

Nothing is quite as satisfying as turning on a light switch and having your whole outdoor space light up. Wiring your outdoor light fixtures to a switch inside your home is a great option. There are a couple of different methods that you can use to accomplish this. The first is to wire the lights directly to the switch. The second option is to wire the lights to a transformer that is plugged into an outdoor outlet. The switch inside your home provides power to the outlet, which turns on the transformer and activates the lights. With this option, you can either turn on the lights manually or you can wait and allow them to turn on automatically when the sun goes down.

Solar Lighting

Solar lights rely on the sun upon for power. They do best in extremely sunny conditions. One of the greatest things about lights like these is that they don’t require any wiring. Typically, they have LED bulbs, which means that they use very little energy. That makes them a lot more practical than halogen bulbs for solar applications.

The Downsides To Solar Lighting

While solar lighting is easy to install, it does have some drawbacks. For one thing, the lights themselves lack the brightness of lights that are powered by electricity. This usually has to do with where they are placed. Lights that aren’t directly in the sun won’t get as bright as lights that are located in sunny areas.

No matter what type of lighting you opt for, adding outdoor lights can brighten up your home.

Lighting Up Your Exterior Space

When properly installed, outdoor lighting can enhance your home, making it much more beautiful after dark. When incorrectly designed, however, it can look a little bit garish and overdone. The key to lighting the outside of your home is to use a light touch, only placing lights in the most important areas. If you need help designing your outdoor lighting, reach out to Houston Window Coverings today.

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

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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!

Ideal Things To Do To Correctly Investing In Outdoor Lighting In Houston

Posted by Robert Huff on

7 Tips To Help You Get It Right When Investing In Houston 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 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!