Some Important Tips For Your Indoor & Outdoor Lighting In Houston

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Some Of Robert’s Houston Outdoor Lighting Tips

Indoor

Hall & Foyer

Welcome your guests and make a grand first impression with a well-lit entry foyer or hall. Choose a correctly sized lighting fixture for the area while keeping in mind that the bottom of the fixture should be at least 7 ft. from the floor. this will also help you determine whether you want to use a chandelier, flush-mount, or pendant.

When sizing a pendant or chandelier for your foyer, be sure to ass the width and length dimensions together and convert them into inches. For example, a 10 ft. by 10 ft. area would be best illuminated by a 20-inch-diameter fixture (10 plus 10 equals 20). You can use this formula in other rooms where you plan on hanging chandeliers.

If it’s a 2-story foyer featuring a large window above the front door, then it’s best to place the chandelier at the center so that it can be seen from the outside. For foyers that are extra-large, scones are more recommended and these should be installed at about eye-level, ideally 66 inches from the floor.

Dining Room

The place where you serve dinner should be as tasteful as your meals. Create a grand atmosphere by layering the light with wall scones and a chandelier placed in a way that enhances the architectural details like a built-in archway or china cabinet.

With the formula described above, calculate the size of your chandelier or the diameter of the chandelier at three quarters the width of the dining table. Ideally, the bottom of the chandelier should be about 30 In. To 32 In. above the top of the table.

Kitchen

Create a functional and comfortable space in your kitchen by combining lighting. Consider having a flush mount ceiling fixture complemented by undercabinet pendants and/or fixtures. Keep in mind that the pendants need to be placed such that the bottom of each fixture is 28 inches to 34 inches from the work surface.

Bathroom: Single-light scones can be used in small powder rooms to illuminate the room. For larger bathrooms, you can include a number of different kinds of lighting fixtures. Consider mounting a bath fixture directly above the vanity mirror to achieve horizontal illumination. They should also be installed about 75 inches to 80 inches above the floor. For double vanity setups, each sink needs to have its own source of light.

Outdoor

Curb Appeal

This is the first impression that other people will have of your home as seen from the street. As such, you need to make the most of it, whether you’re a homeowner welcoming family and friends, or a builder looking to market a home for a sale.

The exterior light fixtures are some of the first things that other people notice at the first impression. Aptly styled and sized fixtures will add on to the curb appeal, safely guide the visitors to your door, and provide a warm welcome. The key factors to consider when choosing them to include color, size, and style.

Size

One of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing their outdoor lighting is going for fixtures that are too small. If you are replacing already existing fixtures, don’t assume that the original ones were the right size, to begin with – some builders tend to use small fixtures to save costs.

Lighting fixtures will only look about half as big on your house when they’re viewed by the street as they do in the showroom. So, when choosing between two sizes, the larger one is almost always the better choice.

The front door it a very important area. As such, it should have the biggest and the fanciest light fixture on your house. Don’t let the secondary fixtures at secondary entrances, such as the garage fixtures, upstage the fixtures around your front door.

A good rule of thumb is to make sure the fixture on the front door is 1/3 of the height of a single door, and 1/4 the height of a double door – one on each side. You can cut a piece of cardboard to shape and then hold it up to your house to help you visualize the size better.

Color

It’s important to choose a color that complements the color scheme of your outdoor décor. Bronzes are quite popular with earth tones. We do offer a number of different variations of bronzes from light to dark, including black coral, architectural bronze, bronze, black gold, marbleized mahogany, and burled walnut.

Black is apt for many situations, though bronze is usually preferred when using dark brown trims and accents. Our stone finish is featured in the black family, though it has a hint of grey rubbed on top, which makes it ideal when the bronzes are inappropriate and pure black is too strong. White can be rather striking on a dark bodied house with white accents or trims.

Style

Many contemporary homes don’t have a particular style, as they incorporate different elements of different styles. When choosing a style for your outdoor light fixtures, be sure to pay attention to the main architectural features of your home and the choose fixtures that will complement these features. Get fixtures for your front door simply because it’s the most important door in your home. You can then choose the rest of your outdoor fixtures from the same family of style to maintain consistency.

What about the light intensity? Go for 60W to 75W per fixture or about 20W for compact fluorescent (CFL), which is usually recommended for decorative post lanterns and exterior wall fixtures. Many fixtures on our portfolio are rates for more than 60W. This rating represents the maximum safe wattage allowed, and not necessarily the wattage that’s most appropriate.

Using bulbs that are brighter than necessary will detract from the fixtures as they increase the total glare. The glare will be much worse when you have fixtures featuring clear glass. Focus more on the size and style of the fixture when making your decision, and only use the wattage you need.

Mounting Height

Wall-mounted outdoor light fixtures should ideally be installed slightly above eye level, for houses roughly 66 inches above the threshold. If your house has a transom or taller than normal doors, you might need to install fixtures that are a little higher than 66 inches. You should not install fixtures such that the top extends above the top of the door.

We provide several kinds of fixtures where the body of the fixture is low in respect to the junction box in order to accommodate situations where the junction box might be too high.

Specific Situations

Front Door

The most popular way of lighting the front door is with a pair of lighting fixtures, one on either side of the door. Having a fixture on only one side of the front door can also be done if the architecture or space dictates. If you’re only using one fixture, ensure that it’s installed on the same side as the doorknob, so that your visitors’ shadows won’t be cast on it when opening the door.

If the front door is under cover such as a porch, you might want to consider hanging a lantern instead. Choose fixtures that are about 1/3 of the height of the door when you opt to use one fixture, and 1/4 the height of the door if you’re using two.

Garage Doors

Use a lantern on either side of the garage door or one lantern on top of each door based on the door style and the available space. Choose fixtures that ideally match the front door but are a bit smaller or lesser important looking. The fixtures you install on your garage shouldn’t upstage those installed on the front door.

Back Doors

Here, don’t skimp. Go for fixtures that complement the décor on the rest of the house, and are not small. Using small, cheap fixtures won’t look good anywhere, and will actually detract from your patio accessories and furniture.

Post Lanterns

Go for post lanterns when the light from the front door isn’t enough to light up the parking area. Choose post lanterns from the same family as the rest of the exterior fixtures, and be sure that they are large enough. Post lanterns will look even smaller than the wall fixtures when they’re viewed from the street.

Patio/Deck Lighting

Post lighting fixtures can be installed all around the perimeter of the patio or deck using pier mounts on the wall or railing, or even standard posts installed from the ground. Certain fixtures with low-watt bulbs (between 25W to 40W) will look great and give out a more comfortable light than a single fixture with a bright bulb.

Bright bulbs placed at the eye-level will by unnecessarily glary, and will generally be offensive to you and your guests around the patio.

Other Considerations

Energy Savings

With most of our fixtures, you can use energy saving bulbs.

Dark Sky

Many states and cities are increasingly passing the “dark sky” ordinances in order to control the amount of light pollution. We provide a large selection of fixtures that direct almost all of their light downwards to adhere to these ordinances and address these needs.

Construction Material

Most of our fixtures are made from cast aluminum, which is quite a durable material for most parts of Northern America. If you’re seeking greater durability and prevention of corrosion and rusting, there are other available alternatives.

For engineering and design reasons, some incidental parts have to be made from certain materials. And since our products are often exposed to harsh weather conditions, we aim to only use materials that provide good value and durability.

Maintenance

Exposure to UV rays from sunshine will wear the exterior lighting fixtures quite fast. Other major culprits include airborne pollution and bird droppings that settles as grime and dust. For best results:

  • Wipe down bird droppings and other spills off the fixtures immediately you spot them using plain water on a clean, soft, wet cloth.
  • Wipe the fixtures once or twice a year.
  • Polish your fixtures using silicone car wax after every cleaning.

All Robert Huff Illuminations outdoor lighting fixtures are either ETL or UL listed for wet and damp locations. A fixture with a wet location listing is required when water and/or other liquids splash, drips, or flow on or against the fixtures. You can always use a wet or damp listing outside.

Call or contact us today if you require any information. Please feel free to visit our blog for more related articles.

Let Our Houston Outdoor Lighting Experts Teach You About The Different LED Bulbs & Their Temperatures

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The 5000-Lumen SANSI Bulb is The Brightest Of All The LED Bulbs: Our Houston Outdoor Lighting Company Tells All

General Usage

The SANSI LED 40W light bulb features a rating measuring 5500 lumens. That’s usually equal to incandescent bulbs rated at 350 watts. It has a ‘daylight’ quality, also known as a light-temperature rating, which measures at 5000K. At the time of writing, this particular LED bulb was selling for $49.

The Brightest Option For Warehouse Exteriors At 5000K Temperature: This bulb is rated at 29289 lumens with a price of approximately $170.

The Brightest Option For ‘Warm White’ LED Bulbs: The A21 27W Dimmable LED SANSI Light Bulb. This warm-light bulb produces 3500 lumens. It retails currently at about $56.

The Philips 1220 Lumen LED Bulb: This Brightest Standard-Size Bulb has a current rating as being the very brightest LED bulb that is compatible with most household fixtures and lamps.

The SANSI 40W LED Light Bulb: The Overall Brightest LED Bulb

This is another very bright bulb, which produces 5500 lumens. It’s a non-dimmable and daylight-style bulb, meaning it’s best-suited for garages and warehouses. The current price at the time of writing is $49.

The Brightest LED ‘Warm Light’ Bulb: The SANSI 27W A21 Dimmable LED Light-Bulb

This warm-white dimmable bulb is capable of producing 3500 lumens. I personally use one of these for my laundry room, since it works out well for producing illumination that is both bright and pleasing. On the other hand, I wasn’t able to install the fan fixture I wanted on my ceiling since this light is so big. At the time of writing, this bulb was usually available for $56.

The Brightest LED Standard Size Bulb: The LOHAS LED A21 LED Light

This is a standard-sized LED bulb that produces 2500 lumens, making it the very brightest among all the standard-sized LED bulbs that are currently available. It uses 23 watts, featuring a 5000K color temperature listed as daylight white. This is a good bulb for outdoor areas and garages. If you’re looking for warm-white bulbs to use in interior spaces, read below about the Philips bulb down there.

The Brightest Warm-White Standard-Size LED Bulb: The Philips LED Bulb Which Is Equal To 100 Watts

This another standard-sized household bulb. It uses 18 watts to come up with 1620 lumens of warm-white light. I personally use these particular bulbs all throughout my home. Since the CRI is 80, they put out high-quality light. You can even dim these bulbs. Also, they’re estimated to last as long as 22 to 23 years.

You can get them on Amazon for around $21.

Notes About The Color Quality

CRI is short for the Color Rendering Index, which is a numerical system that rates the color-rendering abilities that light bulbs have as compared to natural daylight. If a light features a color-rendering index that measures 50, it’s low, meaning it’s not something that renders colors very well. However, if the bulb sports a color-rendering index falling in a range of 80 to 95, then it means it is able to render colors greatly, possibly even in excellent fashion. A CRI of 100 is considered equivalent to actual natural daylight. This is the number assigned to sunlight.

Color Temperatures are usually presented on the Kelvin scale of K. Lower-color temperatures are warmer, having a more yellow and red light. Higher-color temperatures have colder light that is bluer. Additional, a bulb’s color temperature refers to how reddish, bluish, or greenish a bulb appears. If a bulb looks more reddish, it’s likely to have a low range of color temperature, often between 2500K up to 3000K, which is often thought of as ‘warm’ appearance. If a bulb is more bluish, then the color temperature is higher, often from 4000K to 4500K, meaning it’s thought of as ‘cool’ in terms of its appearance.

  • Warm White is typically measured from 2500K up to 3000K
  • Day Light gets measured from 6200K up to 6800K
  • Cool Light is usually measured in a range of 4000K up to 4500K

To find out more, give us a call or contact us today. Please feel free to visit our blog for more related topics and articles.

A Look At Fixture-To-House Proportion & Your Outdoor Lighting In Houston

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Size Matters: How Fixture-To-House Proportion Can Be Determined For Houston Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

When choosing decorative outdoor fixtures, a majority of people shop for their lighting mainly based on certain visual elements like finish and fixture style. Although the actual fixture’s design is a good starting point, another area that is equally important (and often overlooked) is the right size of the fixture in proportion to your home’s size. Fixtures may appear very large in the showroom, however, when they are mounted next to a large entryway, then suddenly they will look insignificant and small. When viewed from a distance outdoor fixtures should provide an attractive and notable presence – but not be so overpowering that they will detract from your exterior landscape’s focal points.

Our design experts compiled a few tips to help you determine the best way to approach the size for your exterior fixtures in such a way that beautifies your home and enhances your curb appeal.

Where to get started?

For entryway lighting, first, measure your front door’s height. Exterior lighting may be used for illuminating the areas around your front door should have a size that is in proportion to the actual door.

Sizing Guidelines For Entryway Lighting

When it comes to entry outdoor fixtures, the most common error is to choose lighting that is not big enough. Fixtures that are too small will get lost when looking at a house from a distance. In general, fixtures should be a size that measures 1/4 to 1/3 the front door’s height – remember that lanterns will appear to be around half the size from 50 feet away. If you happen to have to two different sizes of lanterns or sconces, the larger of the two needs to be placed near the front door (and the smaller one positioned close to the garage door).

Position Guidelines for Entryway Lighting

Along with size, the fixture’s height is another important thing to consider. In general, you should position your outdoor entryway lights at eye level. More specifically a light source’s center should be 5.5 to 6 feet off of the ground. Also, fixtures should be mounted 8 to 10 feet apart.

Sizing Guidelines for Garage Lighting

Like entry lights, the fixtures surrounding your garage should be 1/4 to 1/3 the height of your garage door. The position and number of lights will greatly depend on what the size of your garage door is.

One side lantern might be enough to illuminate your one-car garage. If you have a two-car garage, you can position lights on both sides of your door. For extra illumination, position the third light in the center over the door – but make sure it is positioned high enough so that it doesn’t interfere with the regular door functioning.

A third option that can be used on a two-car garage is to place the fixtures over the top of the garage door to produce even illumination.

Sometimes outdoor home lighting may feel like it is a utilitarian home project, and it is approached by too many companies as a technological chore. The LED outdoor landscape lighting that we offer combines function and form that provides landscape lighting solutions can do more than just light your yard up. To create the very best LED landscape lighting involves the work of the design team at Robert Huff to bring collective architectural designs and to employ the latest solutions for LED outdoor landscape lighting solutions.

Our team often works with pool designers, architects, and landscapers to create Robert Huff’s renowned light effect for your business or home’s outdoor space. For more than 30 years, Robert Huff Landscape Illumination has designed outdoor home lighting with Security, Elegance, and Beauty. We also specialize in designing and installing commercial LED landscape lighting. Robert Huff customers trust us because we deliver outstanding designs in residential and commercial outdoor lighting in Austin and Houston, TX.

If you have any immediate questions please feel free to call us today or contact us now and one of our representatives would be happy to help you!

Tips For Safely Installing Temporary Outdoor Lighting

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11 Safety Tips For Installing Temporary Outdoor Lighting

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

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

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

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

1. Install Outdoor-Rated Fixtures

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

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

2. Use Outdoor-Rated Light Bulbs

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

3. Avoid Using Metallic Binding Materials

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

4. Use Outdoor-Rated Extension Cords

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

5. Avoid Over-lamping” A Fixture

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

6. Use Decorative Lights Made For Outdoor Use

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

7. Fit Weather-Resistant Receptacles

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

8. Invest In GFCI Protection

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

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

9. Cover Receptacles In Damp Locations Under A Roof

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

10. Install A Cover For Exposed, Wet Locations

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

11. Watch Out for Flammable Materials

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

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

How Many Lumens Is Too Many Lumens?

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Outdoor Lighting: How Many Lumens Do I Need?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Outdoor lighting: CFLs or LEDs

How Each Works:

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

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

Operational Costs:

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

Lifespan:

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

Price:

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

Other things to Consider

1. Lux

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

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

2. Wattage

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

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

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

Boosting Curb Appeal And Value With Residential Outdoor Lighting

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Increasing Curb Appeal & Value

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below are three cool ways of lighting up your driveway

Down-lighting

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

Bollards

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

Up-Lighting

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

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

Invest In Quality Texas Outdoor Lighting, By Investing In Robert Huff Illuminations

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Make Your Texas Outdoor Lighting System Work For You

One of the key factors for any Robert Huff Illumination design is that of providing the homeowner with a stunning lighting system while also adding value to their property. When a landscape lighting system has been designed and installed by an expert it can add a considerable amount of value to the home.

As is the case with other home investments, you will get what you pay for. If you opt for cheap fixtures, along with discount installers, even though it may seem like a desirable option, the investment you put into your home may not stand the test of time. Robert Huff Illumination’s provide high-quality fixtures, installers who are experts within their field and warranties to ensure that your home shines as bright as the stars, for years to come.

We use the manufacturers in the United States to provide our fixtures and which means you are going to get the best materials possible. Along with this Robert Huff Illumination’s offers an annual service program to ensure that your lighting system is always running at its full potential.

Granted, it is vital to have high-quality materials, however, the design and installation are also vital elements to the process. We use installation crews who have received professional training to ensure their workmanship will not only be good for the short term, but also for the long term. We stand out as having much more experience than other companies when it comes to installing the Robert Huff Illumination-caliber system. We are sure that we can deliver on an expert installation which will not only give you a great investment but also mean you will have a home you can be proud of.

One of the main reasons that homeowners opt for a landscape lighting installation is for curb appeal. We all know that house in our area that just looks amazing both day and night. Why does it look so amazing? It’s outdoor lighting. Your home makes its first impression in the form of curb appeal. If you want your home to boost curb appeal, even after the sun has set, you need to ensure that you choose the right lighting.

An added benefit to outdoor lighting is the element of safety and security. If you don’t want to become a target for burglary you need to make your home less of a temptation. Outdoor lighting does exactly that.

You also make your outdoor living space more usable when you have an outdoor lighting system. A patio, garden or desk should be enjoyed in the evenings, as well as during the day. If you do not have enough lighting, these spaces are hard to enjoy after dark. When you light such spaces you provide your home with a new living area for night time activities.

When you opt for a professional installation, you will be able to turn your system on and off automatically. The smart home automation system we offer means that your lighting schedule can be accessed from your phone. Robert Huff Illumination also has a team that is dedicated to ensuring that your system is working right every day of the year.

At times, outdoor lighting can see like a utilitarian project and a lot of companies have this type of approach. The LED outdoor lighting we use is all about coupling form and function so that you have a system that does more than just light up your outdoor space. To have the ultimate in LED landscape lighting the Robert Huff design team use their architectural knowledge and the latest lighting solutions.

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!

Who Gets The Most From Landscape Lighting?

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Who Can Benefit From Landscape Lighting?

Landscape lighting can not only be used to draw attention to unique features or architectural details but it also can improve safety, making it ideal for both homes and businesses alike. Beautifully designed lighting can infuse a little bit of magic into an ordinary outdoor space, transforming even the most boring landscape into a show-stopping space.

Homeowners

Most homeowners put a lot of time, money, and effort into making their home’s exterior as beautiful as possible. Unfortunately, all of that hard work disappears into the darkness when the sun goes down. Installing landscape lighting is an excellent way to highlight a property’s unique features after dark. With the right lighting, homeowners can showcase everything from their landscaping to the architecture of their home, helping their property stand out from all of the other houses in the neighborhood.

Homes that are located in poorly lit neighborhoods can also benefit from landscape lighting. Installing lighting around the exterior of the home makes the property safer. If you light up your outdoor space, you may even inspire other people in your neighborhood to do the same.

When multiple homes in a neighborhood have landscape lighting in place, it helps make the entire area safer, creating a family-friendly place to live. Installing outdoor lighting around the exterior of your home could wind up completely changing your neighborhood for the better.

People Who Own Swimming Pools

Homeowners in Texas often install swimming pools in their backyards as a way of escaping from the summer heat. Installing outdoor lighting around the pool can make the space usable after dark, making it a lot safer to continue swimming after the sun goes down.

Along with lighting inside the pool itself, extra lights can be installed around the pool deck. Not only does this make the pool area beautiful after dark but it also dramatically improves safety. Adequate lighting is essential anytime children or adults are using a swimming pool after it gets dark outside. Having enough lighting in the area makes it easier to monitor what is happening around the pool from inside the house.

Installing underwater lighting in the pool itself makes it easy to see whether or not there are any obstacles in the water. Outdoor pools often accumulate debris like leaves and grass as well as insects. Lighting up both the pool and the surrounding area makes it a lot easier to see the condition of the water before jumping in.

Landlords

Installing landscape lighting around a rental property that you own is an excellent way to improve safety. Not only does having a well-lit space make renters feel safer but it also makes the property more attractive after dark. You may be able to rent out space more quickly or charge more for the property if you use landscape lighting to create a warm, welcoming space.

Outdoor lighting can also benefit commercial rental spaces like warehouses and storage units. Security cameras do a much better job of capturing footage when there is plenty of light available. Customers are more likely to rent spaces that are safe and secure. Installing outdoor lighting in conjunction with security cameras is a great way to alleviate any worries that potential renters may have about the property.

Businesses

Landscape lighting is essential for commercial properties – especially if your business is open after dark. Lighting up your outdoor space makes it easier for customers to see that you are open. It also makes your business more visible from the street when people are passing by after dark. When a property is well lit, it looks a lot safer, meaning that customers are more likely to visit at night.

Spotlights and other types of accent lighting can be used to draw attention to key features of the business. For instance, lighting can be installed under the outdoor sign or near promotional items to make these features easier to see.

Dining Establishments

Restaurants that offer outdoor dining can use landscape lighting to create a magical experience for their guests. Lighting up a patio space with attractive lights can completely transform the dining experience, turning an ordinary meal into an adventure that guests will remember for a long time to come.

Outdoor lighting has a lot to offer homeowners and business owners alike. It can be used to accent just about any outdoor space, improving safety while at the same time creating a beautiful, welcoming atmosphere that draws people in and makes them want to stay a while.

 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!

residential and commercial led low voltage landscape lighting

Common Questions About Outdoor Lighting Design In Houston

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Three Common Questions About Outdoor Lighting Design

1. What are the most important things to consider when coming up with a landscape lighting design?

The biggest consideration that you need to take into account when planning your outdoor lighting is how you use your space.

The lighting that you put in front of your home is designed to enhance the curb appeal of your property and to improve safety. In the backyard, however, the lighting is there to make the space more enjoyable. That is why it is so important to put a lot of thought into how you plan on using the space.

Do you like the idea of holding parties or get-togethers outdoors? If entertaining is at the top of your priority list, adding outdoor lighting that creates a fun and festive setting could be the ideal solution.

Are you looking for an outdoor retreat where you can get away from the stress of everyday life? If so, choosing a more serene lighting design is probably the best option since it will help create a space that is more conducive to relaxation.

Would you like to spend time dining outdoors? Are you planning on putting in an outdoor kitchen? In either case, you should focus on functionality. Your lighting design should not only include ambient light but also task lighting that makes it easier to see what you are doing.

Do you have sidewalks, pathways, or stairs that you need to navigate after dark? In this case, extra lighting for safety is definitely warranted.

The features that you have in your outdoor space also come into play when determining what type of lighting is appropriate. Good lighting design can help you make the most of everything from a pergola to an outdoor swimming pool.

2. How can you add character to your outdoor space through lighting design?

While functionality is an important part of outdoor lighting design, it is also about creating a certain atmosphere. Instead of focusing on the design of the light fixtures themselves, landscape lighting designers usually focus on the specific lighting effects that they are trying to achieve. They then choose fixtures that make these effects possible.

When you start shopping for light fixtures, you no doubt will run across a lot of fixtures with unique or interesting designs. Even though these designs may appeal to you today, you may find that they look outdated in a few short years. When you work with a lighting designer, they can provide you with professional guidance so that you can choose fixtures with classic designs that will never go out of style. Best of all, the fixtures that they help you choose will allow you to achieve beautiful lighting effects in your outdoor space.

Some of the different styles of fixtures that may work for your yard or garden include the following:

  • Pendant Lights. These lights not only add a beautiful accent to your outdoor space but they also are more interesting to look at than many other types of lights. From a functionality standpoint, they usually fall a little bit short. However, they can be a great way to add character and charm to your outdoor space.
  • Path lighting is important from a safety standpoint. There are countless styles of path lights currently available, making it easy to find lighting that is the ideal fit for your space.

Something To Keep In Mind About Path Lights

Path lights are exposed to a lot of wear and tear. They need to be durable and rugged so that they can handle whatever abuse comes their way. Unfortunately, many of the most decorative path lights that are currently available are not strong enough to withstand regular use. If you purchase ornate fixtures, you may wind up disappointed when they don’t last as long as you would like them to. Your lighting designer can help you find lights that are both attractive and durable, helping to ensure that you make a smart investment that will last for a long time to come.

3. What is the best path light spacing for garden paths, stairs, and sidewalks?

When it comes to landscape lighting, few types of lighting are used incorrectly as often as path lights. When you drive through a neighborhood, you probably can spot path lights stuck in flower beds, tied to fences, or placed in other unusual areas. In actuality, however, these lights are designed for one specific purpose to light stairs and walkways.

To create a well-balanced lighting design, path lights should be evenly spaced.

The proper spacing for these lights varies depending on the size of the walkway that they are being used for. Path lights should be large enough to adequately light the entire path.

When it comes to placing the lights on either side of the path, there are a couple of different options. For a casual look, try alternating lights, spacing them so that they are not directly across from each other. For a more formal look, on the other hand, placing the lights in line with each other so they line up across the path can provide a beautiful effect.

In some cases, you may not even need to use path lights if you opt for different lighting solutions. The best way to figure out how to effectively light your walkways and stairs is by meeting with a qualified lighting designer.

 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!

Upgrades To Your Houston Outdoor Lighting

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Five Reasons To Upgrade Your Outdoor Lighting In Houston

It’s springtime in Houston and the time has come to dust off the lawnmower and tidy up your patio in preparation for the warmer days to come. As part of your preparation, you might want to upgrade the outdoor lighting setup you have at home, but may not be sure of where to begin. With more than five decades’ experience of assisting homeowners with their outdoor lighting systems, the professionals at Robert Huff Illumination are here to help you find the best outdoor lighting fixtures and answer any and all your questions you may have. Call us today to arrange a meeting with one of our outdoor lighting specialists!

Are you still uncertain about whether your exterior lighting needs some improvement? Well, upgrading your outdoor lighting offers a wide range of benefits. We have listed a few of those benefits below.

5 Benefits of Having Quality Outdoor Lighting

Functionality

If your home’s exterior features and sections are not properly lit up or illuminated, you could be missing out on a lot in terms of use and functionality of these areas after dark. Upgrading your exterior lighting can allow you to make better use of your outdoor spaces with your family members and friends even when the sun has gone down. You need to have the right lighting fixtures in the right places. Some of the best exterior lighting options for spring include post lights for your extended patio and string lights for your beautiful gazebo.

Security and Safety

When the outside areas of your home are properly lit, you and your loved ones can enjoy added security and safety from the inside of your home. Burglars will be hesitant to invade a properly that’s adequately illuminated as they will not be able to hide in the full glare of your patio or deck lights. When it comes to safety, pathway lights and functional step lights are important exterior lighting fixtures that can help you to clearly see where you are going even in the darkest of nights. Installing such lights can help to prevent injuries that originate from falling and tripping.

Extended Decor

How you decorate the inside of your house speaks volumes about your personality, tastes, and design preferences. Upgrading your outdoor lighting can be a means of extending your design sense to the outside of your home. If you still stock adorning in your entryway, replacing it with a unique decor mount can help bring some much need style to the exterior parts of your home. Homeowners who are tired of having old or conventional lights along their driveways and garages can opt for wall mounted lighting fixtures that are significantly more elegant and classy,

Enhanced Curb Appeal

Aside from offering added functionality, safety, security and a chance to extended your personal design sense to the great outdoors, upgrading your exterior lighting can also enhance your home’s curb appeal if you are looking to please prospective buyers. Some perspective may wish to view your property at night. If your house is not properly lit up, they may not be able to see everything that your property has to offer. On top of this, accent light and landscape lighting can enhance certain key features of your property making them look more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing than usual.

Enhanced Entertainment

Maybe you have recently renovated your patio and turned it into a comfortable outdoor space that can be used for dining, grilling as well as entertaining guests. If you do not have the right lighting for this space, you will find yourself ending or winding up parties way before you have had enough time to mingle with your friends and family. The right lighting fixtures can help you to adequately light up your patio and exterior sections of your house so that you can entertain guests for as long as you would like.

 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!