Optimizing And Updating Your Houston Outdoor Lighting System

Posted by Robert Huff on

How To Convert Your Houston Outdoor Lighting System From Halogen Into LED

There are numerous reasons why you may want to consider converting your outdoor lighting system to LED lamps from halogen lamps: you might want to reduce your energy bills, or maybe expand your current outdoor lighting system, or perhaps you would just like to reduce the amount of routine maintenance that you need to do. Whatever the case may be, there are no disadvantages to using LED lamps as part of your outdoor lighting system. for inspiration or examples of LED’s used in outdoor lighting systems, take a look at Our Work!

Use LED To Save Money

It is amazing how much your energy bill can be reduced by using LED lamps. Less electricity is used by LED lamps compared to traditional halogen lamps. Typically low-wattage LED outdoor lights use 80-90 percent less electricity compared to halogen systems. The reason why less electricity is used is LED lights reduce your outdoor system’s overall electrical load. For a majority of outdoor lighting systems, when they are converted to LED it takes the load off of the operational costs of the outdoor lighting system. In most cases, The average electrical bill for an outdoor lighting system using LED can be reduced down to $3-$5 a month.

Reduce Routine Maintenance and Lamp Replacement

The overall costs of routine maintenance and replacing lamps are also reduced when you switch over to LED. With halogen systems, lamps must be replaced about once a year. You need to take into consideration the cost of replacing each lamp every year and the cost of every individual lamp. However, if you switch to LED lamps, it eliminates how often you have replaced your system’s lamps. A majority of reputable LED lamps in today’s marketplace are rated to last for 10 years at least and have a 5-year replacement warranty. That is because high quality LED lamps are designed to last. Although LED lamps might be more expensive upfront, they actually pay off very fast. One thing that needs to be noted is that switching over to LED lamp doesn’t completely eliminate needing to service the system and maintain its optimal operating condition.

Provide Your System With More Lights

When your lighting system is converted from halogen lamps over to LED lamps it also takes off an electrical load from your overall lighting system, which allows room for additional lights. Allow me to explain this further. Any lighting system has a set amount of wattage that it can handle, which will depend on the kind of transformer it has. For example, a 300-watt transformer is restricted to being able to support 200 watts without tripping and possibly overloading the system. With halogen systems, 20-35 watts is used by each lamp. With a maximum 260 watt capacity, a halogen system only is able to support 8-13 fixtures or lamps without possibly overloading. Theoretically, if the same 300-watt transformer is taken, and 4 watt LED lamps are used rather than 20-watt halogen lamps, the same system will be able to support 65 fixtures or lamps rather than 13 (when properly designed). If you retrofit your existing halogen system with LED lamps, that will reduce how much electricity is used. When a load is taken off of your system through LED lamps there is more room for adding fixtures without needing a bigger transformer. It is very important to understand there are numerous things that need to be taken into consideration if you would like to add more lights to your system after retrofitting it with LED lamps. Are your lines properly balanced? How will voltage drops affect more lights being added? How long will your wire runs be? Each system is uniquely engineered and needs to be approached in a different way. Consulting with your lighting specialist regarding LED lights as well as other lighting solutions is always a good idea.

Contact us or call today to revolutionize your space.

How Many Lumens Do I Need for Houston Outdoor Lighting?

Posted by Robert Huff on

How To Choose The Right Lights For Houston Residential Outdoor Lighting

At Robert Huff Illumination we help you navigate the ins and outs of all facets for your residential outdoor lighting needs. The intensity of a light is measured with a unit called a lumen. This is something you should pay attention to when checking the specs of a lightbulb or other lighting solution. The ideal amount of lumens for your outdoor lighting will vary in function of the type of lighting you need. Step lights, path lights, and hardscape or landscape lighting are typically used to create a soft atmosphere. There is no need to invest in bright lights for these uses, but you need to make sure your step and path lights will be bright enough so you can easily so the ground. The recommended range goes from 50 to 200 lumens for these lights. Some lights such as motion sensor lights or pond and pool lights need to be more visible for safety reasons. Look for lights in the 200 to 700 lumens range depending on the size of the area you want these lights to cover. Lastly, floodlights are used to light up a broad area and should be very noticeable, even from afar. You will want to look for lights in the 700 to 1,300 lumens range for this use.

LEDs or CFLs?

Should you get LED or CFL lights for your outdoor lighting system? LED lighting is a popular option and will probably be more adapted to your needs. Here is what you need to know about these two options. CFL stands for Compact Fluorescent Light. This technology relies on a filament that is heated up and becomes incandescent thanks to electric current. The downside of this technology is that exposure to extreme temperatures considerably reduces the lifespan of the filament inside of the bulb. The other downside of this technology is that it can take a few minutes for the filament to heat up and emit the full range of lumens of the bulb. LED stands for Light Emitting Diodes. These lights use small diodes rather than filaments. The diodes don’t emit any heat and are more resistant to extreme temperatures. They emit the full range of lumens right away. The biggest advantage of LED lights is that they use a lot less energy. In fact, a CFL bulb typically uses twice the amount of energy of an LED light with a similar lumen range. You should easily get the number of lumens you need for your outdoor lighting system with low-wattage LED lights and save money on your energy bills. The lifespan of LED lights is another advantage. An LED light will typically last five times longer than a CFL bulb. CFL might seem like the best option due to their lower initial price. However, the prices of LED lights have been decreasing and both technologies are available in a somewhat similar price range.

Other Features To Consider For Houston Residential Outdoor Lighting

There are a few features you should consider when choosing an outside lighting system. Start by looking at the lux of a light. The lux represents the amount of light per square meter. This spec will give you an idea of the size of the area that a single light bulb can cover. Keep in mind that one lux is based on how much illumination you can get by standing three feet away from a candle. Pay attention to the wattage of a light. A 200-watt bulb will use 200 watts per second of use. A light with a high wattage will result in higher electricity bills. If you want to install several high-wattage lights, think about hiring an electrician to install a new outdoor system. Get in touch with us if you need help with choosing the best lights for your outdoor lighting system! Also, be sure to take a look at other examples of our work, and slide on by our blog for a little inspiration!

Whether it’s residential outdoor lighting or commercial, lighting a patio, or custom lightscaping your whole yard, Robert Huff Illuminations has you covered. Feel free to call us or contact us today to see how we can help illuminate you.

How To Optimize Your Houston Exterior Lighting Pt. 1

Posted by Robert Huff on

Great Tips For Enhancing Your Outdoor Environment – Houston Landscape Lighting How To Pt. 1

Here at Robert Huff Illumination, we receive numerous requests and questions from customers who are intimidated by landscaping and exterior lighting. However, assisting customers with adding value to their properties through the use of Houston residential outdoor lighting is my specialty, and I know many ways to make our customers’ outdoor areas – gardens, decks, backyards, front yards – look fantastic through the use of outdoor lighting techniques and fixtures.

The bottom line is that outdoor lighting doesn’t have to be a confusing or overwhelming project. You can make it as detailed or as simple as you would like it to be. After reviewing the following basics, also check out the ideas I have for putting them into practice – these are all things that you can do right now to enhance your outdoor areas.

My goal in writing this “Basics of Landscape Lighting” guide is to get some of the key outdoor lighting concepts introduced that you can get implemented immediately. To make it even more helpful, I will be using specific examples to illustrate the principles behind the concepts. That will provide you with plenty of information to starting thinking about what will work the best in your outdoor environment and how you can use lighting to create a beautiful outdoor area.

Some of the common questions that I get are “I would like to give my yard some extra life and would like to use lighting to do that. What do I need to know before I begin? Where do I start, and what should I do?” When you are considering how to best design your exterior landscape lighting, one of the most important things that you need to understand is that less is often more Since the eye is drawn into areas that have the highest level of visual contrast, you don’t necessarily need a lot of lighting fixtures in order to create an effect that is very beautiful. We also have a great blog to pull ideas from.

Once you have the fundamental “less is often more” concept in mind, your next step is to figure out what you would like to light. Do don’t want to light up your entire yard so that it resembles a Las Vegas casino. If you try to highlight everything, then nothing is going to be special or stand out. Instead, you should think about which features you would like to show off, and then determine how you are planning on using specific outdoor areas. Choose a few selected features, make sure they are lighted well (in terms of fixture placement, appropriate beam spread, and light quality), and then think about how you would like to fill other areas in.

Make sure you consider the perspective that you will be looking from and viewing objects when you are thinking about lighting. For example, if you will be featuring a tree that is seen from every side, then one accent light is not going to give you the effect that you desire. You are going to need to have other lights on the other viewable sides as well.

Browse our Landscape Lighting Selection

How much light is needed for creating a nice outdoor environment?

Not too much if you just want to light objects in your yard. Just like with desk mounted, small task lamps, a little can go quite a long way when a small amount of light is placed exactly where it is needed. If overall light levels are kept low, then the contrast in between shadow and light of a highlighted outdoor feature will create a very dramatic effect.

For a favorite outdoor reading area, you can place a spot over a pergola or in a tree, and then direct the light over your shoulder and down. For outdoor entertaining and dining, you don’t need lots of light. There are numerous ways that you can use light to create a fun summer entertainment center, especially in Houston. Ultimately, what you want to do is create a relaxed and casual mood for your outdoor area.

Be sure to contact us or give us a call for all your Outdoor Lighting needs, also read the conclusion of this article!

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide To Color Temperature Part 2

Posted by Robert Huff on

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: A Color, Light, And Temperature Guide Part 2

Choosing Your Measured CCT

When choosing your desired CCT, it is best to keep in mind that all the objects, as well as the colors within a designated space, are brought out with that of warmer CCTs. As a result, designers suggest temperatures of 2700K and 3000K to highlight the reds and yellows of wood grain flooring. From a commercial or industrial standpoint, they generally tend to lean to those sources which can provide 4000K to 5000K since it readily matches that of outdoor lighting and creates a productive feeling. As far as cooler light is concerned, an advantage is that it has always been seen as being brighter than those of warm sources. As such, numerous businesses are bending toward cooler temperatures which can, in turn, save them some money. This is achieved as a result of saving energy since less light would be used when compared to warmer sources.

The Pros And Cons Of Residential Outdoor Lighting In Houston

There are several pros and cons with respect to the warmer temperatures of outdoor lighting for residential use. This is as a result of the environment that the lights are being placed into, as such, warm colors are generally thought of as being not bright enough when they are placed into areas where people want to work with white light that is crisp. Some areas present cool colors which occur naturally and when they enter, they can be seen as being more yellow or even pink, this then causes individuals to think that the lights are not working properly. Cool colors are typically viewed as being institutional or even sterile and this is a huge downside.

Warm Color Temperatures

With all said, numerous individuals wouldn’t prefer the change from a warm color since they may feel that it is too bright for their liking. In order to choose the proper outdoor lighting, it is best to assess your environmental needs beforehand and inform your supplier of the type of environment as well as the ambiance that you intend to create. It should also be noted that if you’re interested in changing your initial light sources, such as in the case of fluorescent to LED or even CCT, you should definitely ensure that your entire room has been completed since come differences are not distinguishable to others.

If you are looking to further learn about the temperatures of colors and how they can affect the colors within your backyard outdoor lighting projects, be sure to contact Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting or call us at 713.861.2000. Or simply visit our blog.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide To Color Temperature Part 1

Posted by Robert Huff on

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: A Color, Light, And Temperature Guide Part 1

What Is Color Temperature And Why Is It Important?

When we refer to the temperature of lighting, it is said to have a specific tone. This tone is often thought of as white light and is emitted from the lights initial source. This can be simplified if we were to consider the life cycle of a white t-shirt and the variations of shading which occurs. If our white t-shirt was washed with a batch of dark blue colors, it will still appear to be white, however, if we held a brand-new white t-shirt next to our previously washed t-shirt, a hint of blue can be seen. If either of us wore a new white t-shirt for years upon years and then compared it with a new one, the old one will now be much more yellow in comparison.

How Are Shades Of White Distinguished?

If we were to place two different temperatures from varied sources together, the white light seen will have a totally different appearance. In order to be able to distinguish numerous shades of white, artificial light is labeled with a designated color temperature. These can be incandescent and tungsten as well as with the use of a correlated color temperature which is widely known as a CCT. The temperature scale known as Kelvin is used to measure both regular color temperature as well as CCT and is obtained from what is known as blackbody radiation. When an ideal source of blackbody radiation absorbs radiation from external sources, it begins to glow in a number of different colors. At a temperature of 2000K, it can be seen as being a mix of both orange and yellow. With an increase in temperature, the previously mentioned color goes to yellow followed by a yellowish-white which becomes white and finally appears as a bluish-white.

Traditional Residential Outdoor Lighting

As far as traditional outdoor lighting in a residential setting goes, white was typically referred to as warm white or cool white depending on the CCT. Due to the limited sources of outdoor lighting, incandescent lights, halogen lights, and fluorescent lights, all having a temperature of 3000K CCT or even 2700K CCT were classified as warm whites. Fluorescent outdoor lighting which measured 3500K CCT were classified as being neutral, and those which measured 4100K CCT and above were therefore referred to as cool white. LEDs became more popular and were responsible for drastically changing the outdoor lighting market. They soon became widely available commercially in white and didn’t cost much when they became available in what was called the bluer spectrum. The earlier sources of white light favored having temperatures of 6000K CCT and above. As such, manufacturers of commercial outdoor lighting now refer to a measured 5000K as being neutral.

Advice About Outdoor Lighting For LED Buyers

Buyers of LED products should always aim to find out the color temperature correlation before actually purchasing. Buyers should also always keep in mind that there is, however, in fact, a range of chromaticity with respect to the temperatures of correlated colors. This just simply means that lamps which tend to have a temperature of 2700K CCT will not entirely appear the same as another which has the same. In trying to avoid problems for the users of these fixtures or lamps, it is not advisable to match and mix different manufacturers products. It should be noted that light sources impact on the way space feels, hence, this makes CCT a very important aspect when it comes to choosing a light. Candlelight’s range between 1500 – 2000L, and gives most people a romantic feeling, as such, homeowners, hotels and restaurants who are trying to create a warm and cozy feeling should go with temperatures of 2400K – 2700K. Transitioning to more functional spaces such as hallways should be that of measured temperatures around 3000K – 3500K.

If you are looking to further learn about the temperatures of colors and how they can affect the colors within your backyard outdoor lighting projects, be sure to contact Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting or call us at 713.861.2000. Or simply visit our blog.

Outdoor Lighting Tips For Your Landscape Part II

Posted by Robert Huff on

Landscape Outdoor Lighting Tips To Help You Improve Your Yard Part II

Tip 3: Broaden Your Outdoor Lighting Cost Definition

Initial price only provides you with a narrow view of what a home improvement project’s true cost is over the entire lifetime of your house. A low price might translate into a great deal, or it could be a sign of low durability or quality. It could also mean that the price doesn’t include some of the building, material, or design costs. In the long run, a more expensive purchase price might actually be a better deal. When resource-efficient quality fixtures are selected it can help you reduce your home’s overall living cost. The only thing that is guaranteed when you make your decision based just on bid price is that you won’t ever be operating on the basis of lowest total cost. When the lower or lowest bid is viewed as the winner, it is safe to conclude that you have seriously misguided builders and companies that you are dealing with. When it comes to the real home building, remodeling and improvement world, there are no commodities. Everyday experience provides this over and over again, so it is a mystery why the lower-bid or low-bid approach is still in existence. Hiring someone just on the basis of price is the best way to sabotage your project’s budget and quality. Robert Huff is the #1 outdoor lighting company in Houston so consider hiring the best.

Tip 4: Have Your Outdoor Lighting Contractor Buy The Materials

If you purchase products online you can save some money. However, most homeowners aren’t sure of what they need to buy, and what fits or goes together or how much or what exactly to purchase. When you make product procurement mistakes it takes a lot of the responsibility away from the outdoor lighting contractor and can invariably lead to the blame game when something goes wrong. You don’t have to keep going back and forth to exchange the wrong items for the right ones.

Tip 5: Hire The Real Deal

When you hire someone who specializes in and has experience with your specific kind of project, it results in you having a higher quality project, and one that is more timely and efficient, and with increased levels of design and product knowledge. Whenever you are looking for an outdoor lighting contractor to hire, be sure they have 10 years of hands-on, proven experienced at least. Experience working on actual jobs and not just somebody who does the selling or manages from behind their desk. The very best outdoor lighting contractors are the ones who continue actually doing transformer balancing, wire connecting, and fixture installation work, no matter how long they have been in business. Although it is physically demanding work, doing it helps to keep them up-to-date. Those are the kinds of outdoor lighting contractors who truly know and understand their business since they are doing it physically every day – and they aren’t simply pushing a pencil and know exactly what they’re talking about.

Tip 6: Hire An Experienced Outdoor Lighting Company

One of the biggest investments you can possibly make in your home and life is a home improvement project. You can also earn some of the highest possible returns on investment with home outdoor lighting. For example, a remodel or home improvement job that is done properly can return more than its investment value. Having a well designed and built home improvement project can return more than you invest in the project. By contrast, a poorly designed and construction project may cause a lot of damage that is far in excess of the amount of money you thought you were saving when you hiring a guy that your friend had paint his house. Experienced outdoor lighting contractors who have decades of hands-on work experience are the only ones who are thoroughly familiar with the construction process and know exactly what to do. The best way to keep your personal belongings and assets protected is to make sure you hire an insured, licensed, and experienced contractor for your home improvement project. Make sure you have a written contract that describes and lists exactly everything you are receiving. Your contractor should deliver high-quality, pain-free, and consistent results.

For more information please make sure to contact a professional outdoor lighting expert today by calling us at 713.861.2000. If you are interested in reading more related content be sure to visit the outdoor lighting blog.

Illuminate Your Houston Property With Landscape Lighting

Posted by Robert Huff on

How to Effectively Illuminate Your Property Using Landscape Lighting

You can create a beautiful landscape that can be enjoyed after dark with the latest innovative Houston Landscape Lighting solutions. Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting is the best Houston landscape lighting company in town! We have the experience, knowledge, and testimonials to show for it. We offer high-quality outdoor lighting services for residential and commercial properties in Houston, Texas

What Do You Want to Accomplish With Landscape Lighting?

Before you invest in Houston Landscape Lighting services, you need to determine the areas that you are going to want to illuminate and the mood that you are trying to create for your home. Do you want to create a soft, romantic mood? Do you want to illuminate the dark areas of your landscape for security purposes? Maybe you have a path that you want to illuminate and mark the boundaries. Finally, you may have a water feature like a pond that you want to draw interest to.

Sketch Out Your Yard With Houston Landscape Lighting

After you have determined what you are trying to accomplish, you need to do a simple sketch of your landscape. In the sketch, make sure to include all buildings, benches, shrubbery, trees, gardens, water features and existing lighting. It is important to realize that the vegetation and decorations in your landscape will either absorb light or reflect it. Finally, estimate the height of all foliage and decor and notate it on your sketch.

Determine Where Your Landscape Lighting Should Be Placed

You will need to decide where your landscape lights should go by matching your reason for illuminating your yard with the foliage and decor in your yard. If you want to illuminate a bench, you may want to use a lamppost. If, on the other hand, you want to create soft romantic lighting, you may want to place landscape lighting under shrubs to create interest. For pathways, opt for stake lights placed along one or both sides of the pathway. Finally, a spotlight can illuminate a water feature. To view, some of out Houston landscape lighting projects click here.

Decide How Much Work You Are Willing To Do

Houston Landscape Lighting can be difficult to install if you are using 120-volt lighting. The wiring must be buried 18 inches deep and encased in conduit to prevent water from getting to the wiring. A licensed electrician must install the electrical components. If you are using low-voltage landscape lighting, you may need an outdoor receptacle and a transformer. The transformer converts the voltage from 120 volts down to 12 volts. Finally, solar-powered landscape lights are the easiest because there are no wiring or chords to deal with. In order to maximize the lighting power of a solar light, it must be positioned so the photovoltaic cell receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day.

Setting a Budget For Houston Landscape Lighting Services

The most expensive lights are high-voltage landscape lights. These cost upwards of $100 or more for each light. In addition to this, you will have the cost of hiring an electrical contractor to install and wire the lights. A lower cost option is low-voltage landscape lights. These can range from $30 to $300 per light; however, they can easily be installed by a handy homeowner. Finally, the least expensive and easiest option is solar lights. Solar lights rely on the sun for power, using its photovoltaic device. There are no installation costs. The cost for this type of landscape lighting will be limited to the price of the solar landscape lights. If you are trying to illuminate an area that has a lot of shade through the day, the solar light will not receive enough sunlight to adequately power the lights. One way to counteract this is to install a solar panel in a bright area of your yard and run wiring to your solar lights. Robert Huff is the leading Houston landscape lighting company to receive recognition for their outstanding work! Make sure to check us out.

Setting Up Your Landscape Lights

If you want to illuminate a single item like a bush, gazing ball, fountain or statue, you may only need a few landscape lights with lower intensity bulbs. Doing this rather than one large spotlight will prevent harsh shadows. Place smaller lights at various angles and various distances to highlight your item. Opt for landscape lights along garden paths and space them equally along the path to ensure the pathway remains illuminated. Finally, opt for blue tinted lights to create a moonlight inspired mood in your garden.

For more insight, check out the Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting blog. If you want to speak with a professional about Houston landscape lighting services, contact us by giving us a call at (713)-861-2000

Outdoor Lighting Ideas For Your Patio With Robert Huff

Posted by Robert Huff on

Robert Huff: Setting The Perfect Mood With Great Patio Lighting Concepts

Are you aware of the crucial place lighting occupies in your overall outdoor living design? It can determine how your house appears to those on the outside and make a real impact. Even small adjustments to your outdoor design elements can produce a substantial difference. The patio, in particular, is a crucial part of any home, as it sets the stage for countless parties and gatherings. In order to make the patio look, it’s very best, we recommend installing some outdoor lighting. Functionality will increase, but you will also achieve the mood and feel you desire. Furthermore, this type of lighting will bring added safety and security to your space. Continue on to learn more about the sorts of lighting concepts at Robert Huff that will bring your patio to life.

Outdoor Lamps On Battery Power

It is worth pointing out that lighting for outdoor spaces does not need to be opulent to be effective. Simple and straightforward always work well. For instance, it is possible to choose a table lamp for your outdoor spaces that run on batteries. This is ideal when electricity is out because lamps of this sort can run for upwards of 150 hours just on the LED battery function alone. Because outdoor lamps are designed to resist rough weather conditions, they can be used almost any time of year. The resin bases of these lamps are attractively designed to resemble wicker, a common feature of many patio spaces. Robert Huff recommends getting outdoor lamps on battery power for your home. Home lighting most certainly makes your house pop.

Strings Of Edison Lights

Is a vintage look something you covet? If so, a string of Edison bulbs can make your outdoor space match your personal style. Because these lights have adjustable drops, you have the option of stringing them in a uniform pattern or in an uneven, organic way. The softened light emitted from these bulbs will keep your guests happy for hours of nighttime fun.

Nostalgic Lamp Posts

If the flair of a Cape Cod or perhaps even a Victorian home appeals to you, consider the option of a lamp post light. Robert Huff says these options are wonderful simply because there is no digging for gas or electric lines necessary. Just select the lamp post light in the style you love, plug the lamp into a socket and locate it wherever it works best. This is an incredibly simple, yet effective concept! Check out some of the completed projects by the Robert Huff team. 

Robert Huff Outdoor Lamps

There is no denying the classic nature of an outdoor lamp. Of course, it is always important to purchase only those that are UL-Listed. Waterproof cording is great for allowing placement anywhere at all. Glass domes work to keep the bulb itself dry at all times. Outdoor lamps from reputable Houston lighting companies will provide much-needed light to any patio and do so in a stylish and distinctive manner.

Use Light To Furnish The Patio Space

Just picture yourself lounging on the patio under the stars on warm and lovely nights. Maybe you envision a Balinese-themed oasis involving torches and strings of light. No matter the specifics of your patio dream, outdoor lighting options exist to bring it to life. Remember that the patio is just another outgrowth of the larger home, and therefore it is necessary to give it the attention it deserves. By taking the time to carefully select and design an outdoor lighting scheme, you can rest assured that you will be enjoying many pleasant moments basking in the glow.

Contact Robert Huff

For more insight, check out the Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting blog. If you want to speak with a professional, contact us by giving us a call at (713)-861-2000

Enhance The Curb Appeal Of Your Home With The Top Houston Outdoor Lighting Tips

Posted by Robert Huff on

Houston Outdoor Lighting Techniques For Enhancing The Curb Appeal Of Your Home      

Outdoor lighting plays a critical role in helping to increase the curb appeal of your home. Unfortunately, it can also be targeted by thieves. Having a comprehensive Houston outdoor lighting design will enhance your property’s beauty and boost its curb appeal and deter potential intruders at the same time. Outdoor lighting is not something you should ever take lightly. Having high-quality illumination will mean the difference between having an appealing and inviting home at all times to one that isn’t noticed by anyone after it gets dark. Exterior Houston outdoor lighting is critical for safety to prevent falling, tripping, and other types of accidents. Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting is an experienced lighting company with years of ongoing expertise. The tips below were given by our professionals and will help you maximize the curb appeal of your home, increase its value, all while minimizing risks:

Tree Lighting Methods

Trees provide valuable focal points which help visitors find their bearings and allow you to safely mount in high places to large areas of your yard. Therefore, take complete advantage of all of the trees that you have, no matter how large or small they are. Begin by placing a couple of lights on the base of the tree facing up, so that it illuminates it from all angles. With taller trees, search for areas where side bulbs can be installed close to the top and with few branches; that will help to project light over a large area of your yard.   

Variable Vantage Points

Trees can help to light up your hard, but most houses don’t have enough trees for them to do the entire job.  Therefore, you should use standing lights to supplement them, with lights mounted on small plants, path lights, and standing lights. Tho effectively do this, the key to this is to vary the scope and height of the lights according to the characteristics of your yard.  

Bright Tall Outdoor Lights

Place bright, tail lights in your yard’s outer area or other spots that are difficult to see. Closer to your door, have lights arranged at waist and chest height, either linked with smaller trees and bushes or freestanding lights. Also, add path lights that lead up to your door. That will complement the light in the interior of your home, to guide visitors and invite them inside. This is why Houston outdoor lighting is important for your home. Home residential lighting is important to have.

Best Practices For Porch Lighting  

Patios and porches offer a transition space between the outside and the interior of your home and invite visitors into your house when they arrive and then ease them back outdoors when they depart. The area’s importance to the remainder of your property should be highlighted by your lighting designs. If you have an overhang, powerful porch lights should be installed, with one being placed about every five feet. For open patios and porches, place lights on each corner, every major architectural feature, and anyplace else with limited visibility. If you are using gas lamps or torches, be sure that electric lights are close by just in case they don’t provide enough light. To check out our work be sure to look at past projects completed by Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting.

Houston Outdoor Lighting Tips

Along with the position of the lights, the following should also be considered:

  • Type: Generally speaking, you should choose LED lights since they use the least energy and provide the most light. They last longer as well.
  • Trigger: Rather than using a switch, you might want to program the lights to come on and turn off at specific times or respond to your motion sensor.
  • Fixtures: Be sure your light fixtures don’t block light, protect against weather, and hold bulbs steady.

For more related content check out our blog. Be sure to contact us today by giving us a call. (713)-861-2000

Maximize Illumination With Houston Lighting Fixtures

Posted by Robert Huff on

Is It Time To Upgrade Your Houston Lighting Fixtures

You can supercharge your Houston lighting fixtures by overhauling your exterior fixtures with LEDs. By doing this, you’ll slash your energy usage and you’ll have more illumination. With that said, when was the last time you noticed your exterior lighting or have done something with it? The chances are it’s been a long time since you’ve upgraded your exterior lighting, and your fixtures might be eating up energy. Besides that, your current lighting might not look good and might not be as safe as they were when you first bought them. Now is the time to consider getting rid of metal luminaries or high-pressure sodium luminaries and replacing them with LEDs. Doing this will improve the exterior of your home or business, as well as reduce operational costs. Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting is the #1 Houston Lighting Fixtures company to provide you with the best services in town.

Attractive Houston Lighting Fixtures

You can easily spot exterior lighting that isn’t attractive, as it features shadows, glare and/or an amber color. When you step foot onto a property with poor lighting, you look all over the place for things that you can trip over or you look over your shoulder. There are many check-boxes that outdoor lighting has to fulfill. For example, exterior lighting should minimize shadows and glare. It should improve both situational awareness, navigation, light up areas to improve footage that surveillance cameras take. It should also enable facial recognition. Balancing those objectives is tricky enough. When you add other things into the mix, things become even trickier. This includes low maintenance costs, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting will take care of your lighting needs for your residential and commercial property. We are available to speak with you when you are ready.

Test Out Houston Lighting Fixtures

The good news is you can easily tell if your exterior lighting isn’t that good. Test out how well you can recognize a face at a distance and leave your keys somewhere on the property and see if you can find them. If you find such tasks to be difficult to complete, then it’s time to upgrade your lighting. It’s a good idea to use a light level meter, which can help you determine where shortcomings are. Your residential property will stand out with Houston lighting fixtures.

Houston Lighting Fixtures

Outdoor lighting is more than numbers. You can have all the lighting in the world, but if it’s not functioning the way it’s supposed to be, then it’s not doing any good just sitting there. This is why you should do a quick lighting audit. You want to become familiar with what the IES recommends to illuminate values before doing the audit. When the time comes to upgrade your fixtures, you want to take a look at what control options are available. With the right setup, you can enjoy features such as maintenance alerts, step dimming and color temperature you can tune. LEDs’ lifespans do not become reduced with such controls. LED fixtures can easily be controlled with wireless tech, and this means there’s no need to mess around with additional wiring when the time comes to replace fixtures.

To learn more about Houston lighting fixtures services, check out our website & our blog. For any questions or concerns, give us a  Call today.