Houston Landscape Lighting To Wow Your Audience

Posted by Robert Huff on

Create A Show-Stopping Home With Outdoor Landscape Lighting In Houston

If you are like most homeowners, you probably don’t want your house to look bland and boring, blending in with all of the others around it. Instead, you want your home to be a reflection of your own personal style, giving it a unique look that sets it apart from all of the other houses in your neighborhood.

Even if you live in a row of cookie-cutter homes, most of the houses probably have their own unique style. Once you walk through the front door, you may find that some homes are decorated in a sleek, modern style whereas others have ornate furnishings or traditional decor. Still, others might incorporate designs inspired by exotic locations or cultures throughout the world.

Your unique style is what sets your home apart from others. Once you identify your style, you can use it to create a home that perfectly reflects your tastes and personality.

Over the years, lighting technology has undergone some major changes and innovations. In the earliest days of electric lighting, Edison bulbs were considered to be on the cutting edge. The amount of light that they put out was similar to the light put out by a modern day 25 to 40 W bulb. At the time, people were hesitant to focus their eyes directly on the bulbs because they were afraid of damaging their eyes with the bright light.

Even though that amount of light might seem dim today, at that point in time, people were used to relying solely on gaslight or candles. When electric light bulbs were introduced, they were considered to be a miraculous invention. The amount of light that they produced and their reliability made them far superior to other lighting methods of the time.

Continued Advancements In Lighting Technology

Over the years, lighting technology has continued to change and evolve. Incandescent bulbs are now considered to be outdated, largely because they waste so much power compared to other lighting options. Not long ago, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) were introduced, providing a more energy-efficient lighting source. Unfortunately, these bulbs had a lot of drawbacks. Not only did they burn out relatively quickly but they had to warm up for a long time before they reached their maximum level of brightness. Additionally, they contained mercury, posing a health and safety risk if the bulbs were broken.

Today, light emitting diode (LED) technology has completely transformed the world of lighting. These bulbs have incredibly long lifespans, making them an energy-efficient option. They also eliminate many of the problems associated with other types of bulbs.

LED Bulbs Lead To Artistic Innovations

The introduction of LED bulbs led to a number of artistic innovations in the world of lighting. Despite their incredibly small size, these tiny bulbs were capable of producing a tremendous amount of light. This led artists to look for new ways to use the technology in both interior and exterior design.

For instance, traditional recessed lights were problematic, simply for the fact that they got so hot. Once LED lights were introduced, however, that problem was eliminated, making recessed light fixtures much safer and more energy-efficient. Thin strips of lighting could be installed in tight spaces such as ceiling coves, creating artistic lighting effects. The color of the light itself could be changed to match the surrounding decor. In fact, it was no longer even necessary to change the bulb if you wanted to change the light color thanks to color-changing LED technology.

As lighting consultants, we work with homeowners to find ways to incorporate the latest lighting innovations into their homes. When you hire us, we work with you to come up with a lighting plan for your home that is not only attractive but that also captures your own personal style.

Let Us Help You With Your Indoor And Outdoor Lighting Needs

After years of helping homeowners create beautiful outdoor landscape lighting in Houston, we have in-depth knowledge of all of the latest lighting technology. Not only can we help you choose the right type of lighting technology for your project but we can also help you choose the right color of light to create the mood that you are going for. All that you have to do is examine some of the photos in our gallery to see some of the ways that we have helped our past clients. Spend some time reading through our customer testimonials or checking out some of the lighting design awards that we have won and you will quickly see why working with a qualified and experienced lighting company like ours makes so much sense.

Quality That You Can Trust

When you hire a company to design lighting for your home, it is important to know that you are getting service you can trust. Our licensed electricians have the knowledge and experience to do the job right every time. Don’t take a risk by hiring an unknown company. Instead, choose a company that has the experience and expertise to help you get the results you are looking for.

Our business is headquartered in Houston. We work with clients in all of the surrounding areas including Bellaire, Southside, Royal Oak, Heights, River Oaks, Memorial, and West University. Additionally, we also serve many other cities in the state of Texas including San Antonio, Midland, Dallas, El Paso, Austin, Beaumont, and College Station, just to name a few.

No matter what type of lighting solutions you are looking for, we can help. If you are ready to take your indoor or outdoor lighting to the next level, please feel free to reach out to us today to discuss your project. Contact Robert Huff Illumination now to speak with one of our representative about your new project! Visit our blog for more outdoor lighting ideas!

Finding The Right Outdoor Lighting in Houston For Your Patio

Posted by Robert Huff on

Getting the Best Outdoor Patio Lighting

There is something magic and inviting about patios for a get-together of all types. From small picnic tables to larger functions around burn pits and BBQ grills, the outdoor area makes a great place to entertain. Taking the time to combine the right tones from today’s most impressive lighting designs can change an outdoor patio from simple to simply spectacular.

Bringing a good lighting option makes the location more livable and an extension of your indoor home life outdoors. The options you will find at Robert Huff lighting options are innovative, high-quality and complementary to other lighting aspects that you may already have in play.

Start Simple

Use simplistic lighting designs to create special pools of light for beauty and functionality. Specific lighting features can be used to illuminate doorways and passages. Other touch-style lighting options can be used to illuminate stairways and stepping stones. The right lighting element can then tie all the others together into one attractive outdoor lighting system.

Complete the Look

Take the look a step further by looking beyond the need for lighting to something special in your garden or landscaping that you would like to illuminate. A water feature like a pond or waterfall is one such example. Another idea is to use the lighting to illuminate and accentuate an architectural aspect of your building.

A Total Space

To add some attractive final touches to your outdoor living space, consider adding some special lighting elements to your walkways and paths. These aspects cast the entire outdoor area in mystery and beauty as the sidewalks and path add a sense of adventure and dimension to even smaller outdoor areas. Path lights do much more than just provide some light to see where you are going. They add a measure of distance and even an artistic touch as they can be used to enclose the entire outdoor area.

Improve the outlook of your living space with a completely new selection of improved and innovative outdoor lighting fixtures and solutions. You will find that every family function from a simple family dinner to a larger and more involved dinner party is better with the right lighting choice. If you need some help on getting the look just right, talk to your friendly Houston residential outdoor lighting experts at Robert Huff Illumination.

Call or contact us today for more information!

About Christmas Lighting in Houston & How To Stay Safe

Posted by Robert Huff on

Things You Need To Know About Christmas Lights

Thanksgiving has come and gone and families all over the world are busy getting their homes decorated and putting up electric Christmas lights. Christmas lights are a standard outside and inside most American homes.

When it comes to Christmas lights, there are probably many things you don’t know about them. With Christmas just around the corner, we thought it would be a good idea to share some things about Christmas lights that are not so well known, in addition to some energy-saving tips that can help you save money during this upcoming holiday season and well into the future.

Candles were the first Christmas lights. We previously covered the history of Christmas lights, however, it is still worth going over a few interesting facts that you might not be aware of about the tradition of Christmas lights.

Candles were attached to evergreens and used in windows for Christmas celebrations for hundreds of years. It has been claimed by many that the tradition of using candles to light Christmas tree was sparked by Martin Luther during the 16th century in Germany. This was, of course, a big fire hazard. But that was all that they had to use.

In 1882 the very first electric lights appeared on a Christmas tree. Two years later, Edward H. Johnson, Edison’s partner, became the first individual who used electric string lights for illuminating a Christmas tree. Johnson’s Christmas tree was hand-wired with around 80 blue white and red electric lights, which could easily be seen by people passing by.

In 1895 President Grover Cleveland became the first president to have electric lights on the Christmas tree in the White House. In 1889 Benjamin Harrison became the first president to have a Christmas tree at the White House, but it was Cleveland who was the first president to have multi-colored electric lights used for decorating the Christmas tree. That really helped to introduce this idea to the general public. People were still concerned about electricity being dangerous and the possibility that dangerous fumes would get into the house through wires and lights.

It took some time before electric Christmas lights started to be used by average Americans. The first commercial made Christmas lights were produced as strands that had 8 lights and made by General Electric Company (GE). These lights were called “festoons” by GE. By 1900, it was very common for businesses to have lights strung up around their buildings and in their windows. However, most homeowners couldn’t afford outdoor Christmas lights.

Over the years, as Christmas lights started becoming more affordable, they began to make their ways into residential houses. However, even as late as the 1930s, candles were still commonly used on Christmas trees and in windows.

Electric Christmas lights had pretty much become the standard by 1950. After prices became more affordable, candles were replaced by electric lights by families since they were long lasting and safer.

Once electric string lights had become affordable and safe, families began to use them on pillars, doorways, railings, mantles, and along the peaks and eaves of their houses.

Today, it is estimated that around 150 million sets of lights are sold in the U.S. each year. Smithsonian reports that the lights help to illuminate more than 80 million houses and consume around 6% of the country’s electrical load each December.

Candles still cause fires and electric lights continue to be dangerous. It is estimated by the CPSC that over 15,000-holiday decorating injuries take place during the months of November and December.

It is estimated by the NFPA that an average of 200 house fires is started each year by Christmas trees. Lighting or electrical distribution equipment are involved in about 40% (two out of five) Christmas tree home fires.

Excluding Christmas trees, another 840 home structure fires take place over the holiday season. Candles cause over 1/3 of house structure fires that take place during the holiday season. The top three days when candle fires in homes take place are Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

You can help to prevent home fires from occurring by inspecting electrical products before they are used, learning basic ladder safety, unplugging Christmas lights before you leave home, and making sure your Christmas tree is kept well-watered. You can recycle your holiday light sets instead of throwing them away. An outdoor lighting Houston professional can provide you with even more lighting tips to keep you and your family safe.

Old Christmas lights can be recycled and you can also look for deals on new LED lights. See if there is a recycling program for Christmas lights at your local home improvement store. Some stores might offer discounts and/or rebates on new Christmas LED lights.

Over the long run, LED lights are cheaper and better. Although the upfront costs of LEDs are higher, they use about 70 to 90% less energy, are more durable, last a lot longer, and less prone to overloading circuits and burning out. Incandescent lights cost about $10 for lighting a Christmas tree over one holiday season. However, LEDs cost only around 25 cents to light a 6-foot Christmas tree for 40 days at 12hours per day. When these savings are multiplied by lighting up your whole house over the holiday season, it becomes a very significant cost savings.

Call or contact Robert Huff Illumination & Outdoor Lighting if you have any questions regarding starting a new outdoor lighting project! Merry Christmas and happy decorating!

Ensure That Your Houston Indoor & Outdoor Lighting Are Up To Safety Standards

Posted by Robert Huff on

Christmas And Holiday Fire And Electrical Safety Tips

To help ensure that you and your family have a very safe as well as Merry Christmas, we want to share some very important safety tips that you need to be aware of for the holidays.

Holiday Fire Statistics

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that:

  • 38% of house fire deaths and 30% of all house fires occur during December, January, and February.
  • Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are the leading three days for candle fires in the home.
  • Lighting equipment or electrical distribution was involved 40% (two out five) Christmas tree home fires.

In 26% of all Christmas trees as well as 80% deaths, there was some sort of heat source, like electrical equipment or a candle, that was too near to the Christmas tree. Every year from 2011-2015 fire departments responded to around 840 home structure fires that started with holiday decorations, excluding Christmas trees. Whether caused by electrical equipment, an open flame, heating or cooking, during this time of the year fires are more severe and more frequent. In particular, Christmas tree fires are very damaging, causing serious injuries and fatalities per fire increasing fivefold.

In addition to fires occurring in the home, decorating injuries and falls also occur frequently during the holiday season. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) reports:

  • An estimated 5,800 people are treated every year in hospital emergency rooms to treat injuries that they sustained from falls that involved holiday decorations.
  • Another 4,000 individuals are taken to emergency rooms to be treated for injuries that involve extension cords.

That is why we recommend that you hire a Houston outdoor lighting professional for outdoor light and Christmas displays, along with learning extension cord, ladder, and lighting safety.

Christmas Electrical And Fire Safety Tips

Before hanging your mistle and check the final names off of your Christmas list, make sure you go over the following electrical safety and holiday fire checklist so that all of your family members, guests, and home are kept safe:

  • Check your extension cords, electrical decorations, lights, switches and outlets for directions on how to use them properly. Never use any frayed or damaged electrical devices or ones showing exposed wiring. Get rid of any damaged or worn electrical equipment. Look for an electrical device recycling program at your local home improvement stores.
  • Whenever you are buying electrical devices, make sure to check to see if the device has been tested by an independent testing laboratory, like Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Intertek (ETL), or Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
  • If you notice any outlets or switches smelling strange or that feel warm when you touch them, call an electrician immediately and don’t use them. Shut the power off at the breaker box to that circuit until an experienced electrician has inspected it.
  • With incandescent lights, don’t every connect over 3 strings together. Make sure to follow the instructions from the manufacturer at all times, and don’t ever connect more strings of lights together than are stated on the package.
  • Don’t attach several extension cords together.

Keep in mind that extension cords are just temporary solutions. So call a licensed electrician if you need to have more outlets.

  • Before you go to sleep or leave home, turn your Christmas tree lights as well as other electrical decorations and blow out all of your candles.
  • Every 30 days, test your ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). All outdoor outlets need to be equipped with GFCI protection.
  • Make sure you are very careful whenever you are around power lines and learn basic ladder safety. Before climbing, always look up first, and stay 10 feet away at least from power lines. If you have trees around power lines that need to be trimmed, contact your local utility company (upon rest they should be able to come out and trim your tree).
  • Avoid overloading your circuits. Make sure your Christmas lights are not tripping the breaker. Make sure you know how to replace blown fuses and reset your breaker safely. If the fuse keeps blowing or the breaker keeps tripping, call a licensed electrician immediately.
  • Keep all decorations and items that could potentially burn 3 feet away at least from all heating sources and open flames, like cooking equipment, fireplaces, and space heaters.
  • If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure to check the level of water every day and water the tree as needed.
  • Never use electricity close to water.
  • Don’t sleep with electronic equipment such as cell phones underneath your pillow. Don’t ever leave space heaters, candles or fireplaces on when one is there.
  • Never run wires or cords underneath furniture, rugs, carpets, or through doors and windows. Don’t nail or staple cords, lights or any other types of electrical equipment.
  • Every 30 days, test your carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke detectors. Install CO and smoke detectors on each level of your house and outside of every sleeping area. Replace the batteries if your alarm starts to make chirping sounds.

Some carbon monoxide is produced by all fuel-burning processes. In large amounts, it can even be fatal. Never grill indoors! It is estimated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that around emergency room-treated injuries due and 20 deaths due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning result from using a charcoal grill.

Don’t ever attempt to do electrical work yourself. An experienced and licensed electrician should always be hired to do electrical work.

For more information, contact us or call Robert Huff Illumination & Outdoor Lighting today!

The History On Christmas Lights By Robert Huff Illumination

Posted by Robert Huff on

An Introduction to the History of Christmas Tree Lights

Have you ever wondered about the history of Christmas lights? You probably understand that electricity was not around at the birth of Jesus; so, when did the populace begin associating electrical lights with the birth of the Savior?

Christmas Lights Began with Fire

Christmas lights, also known as fairy lights, are used around the world in Christmas displays and decoration during the holiday season. The tradition started when Christmas trees were lit using candles. The light from these candles was to symbolize Christ as the “light of the world.”

Early Germans (1500 to 1800) were the first people to bring Christmas trees indoor and decorate them with candles. However, because the candles used to light the Christmas trees posed a fire hazard, Christmas trees were not brought into the home until a couple of days before Christmas and immediately disposed of following the holidays. The Germans attached the candles to the Christmas tree using either melted wax or pins.

The danger associated with using candles was so great that Christians would keep constant watch and have buckets of water or sand on hand to douse the tree should a fire occur. Additionally, the candles were only allowed to burn 15 to 30 minutes before they were extinguished.

Additionally, Christians placed candles in their windows to let passersby know that a Christian resided in the home. These candles were an invitation for other Christians to enter the home and worship with them. Finally, Yule Logs were used in Germany as early as 1184.

Early Christmas celebration often used Yule Logs, Christmas trees lit with candles and candle in the windows; however, light has played an important role in Winter festivals even before the birth of Jesus.

During the winter solstice, fire and light were used. Lighting fires and candles during the darkest day of the year not only provided warmth but was also thought to encourage warmth and light to return from the Sun.

The Invention of Modern Christmas Lights

Thomas Edison was an inventor, showman, and businessman. He would entertain investors and businessmen on the first floor of the Menlo Park Laboratory with his phonograph concerts. Additionally, Thomas Edison was the first person to ever use electric Christmas lights during the holidays.

Edison kept an incandescent light bulb burning for thirteen and a half hours in 1879. Later the same year, he was able to invent bulbs that continued to burn brightly for more than forty hours.

By the Christmas holiday of 1880, Edison hung the first electric Christmas lights in his home and around the Menlo Park Laboratory. According to an article in the New York Times on December 21, 1880, Edison hosted a private exhibition for approximately forty gentlemen, including those in the New York City government, to explain the principles behind his electric lights and showcase his display.

While the purpose of the private exhibition was about business and replacing the city’s current gas lights with new electric one, many reported that they were impressed that the glass globes were shiny and clean. The 800 lights used was a sight to behold, according to attendees.

Many have debated whether Edison’s original intent was to associate his electric lights with Christmas; however, the timing of the introduction of these strings of electric lights made people associate them with Christmastime.

At the end of his demonstration, he held a private phonograph concert and a meal featuring roasted turkey, duck, ham and chicken salad.

It wasn’t long until Edward H. Johnson, Edison’s partner, used these electrical lights to eliminate his own Christmas tree. Eighty red, white and blue lights were hand-wired and strung on to his Christmas tree. Mr. Johnson’s illuminated Christmas tree was visible through the windows in his home and crowds would gather outside to witness this electrical engineering feat.

Nowadays, Christmas tree lights are used to illuminate homes, windows, villages and Christmas trees around the world. In Texas, Houston Christmas lighting is one of the most important things. Those bright, twinkling lights are found throughout the city both inside the homes and outdoors, signaling the beginning of the holiday season.

For more lighting tips, tricks, and trends call or contact Robert Huff Illumination & Outdoor Lighting today!

Prepare Your Outdoor Patio With Professional Houston Outdoor Lighting

Posted by Robert Huff on

5 Tips To Help Get Your Patio Ready For Parties Including The Outdoor Lighting

Everybody these days is more focused on staying indoors due to all of the many comforts that are provided, from flat-screen TVs to video games, high-tech computers and much more. We spend so much of our attention on creating the perfect environment inside of our home, that we have a tendency to spend less time outdoors, especially kids. However, with some creative lighting design, a comfortable seating area, and a few decorations, an outdoor lighting Houston TX specialist can help make your outdoor living area be as comfortable and as inviting as the interior of your home.

Landscape Lighting in Houston

Your patio is an excellent place to start when it comes to transforming the outdoor living area. Having a well-lit and well-designed patio can help to inspire your entire family to want to spend more time in nature to breathe in all of that fresh air, benefit from the sun, and enjoy better health and beautiful trees swaying in the wind. Also, having a party-ready patio helps to encourage more social interactions and entertaining with neighbors, family, and friends. Just think of all of the fun activities you will be able to enjoy when you have the right patio ambiance: camping in the backyard, enjoying a nice glass of wine while reading, playing board games, evening barbecues.

Our professional lights installers are aware of the power provided by outdoor lighting along with all of the different options that are available. For example, battery-operated patio lights are perfect for areas that don’t have power sources. They are energy-efficient, easy to install, and may be placed in different areas throughout your patio area to provide more illumination. When you hang patio string lights overhead, it creates a cozy and charming environment, by wrapping them around trees and deck rails. Energy-efficient LED lights are best used for stairs and pathways, to increase visibility and safety at night.

Create Or Buy An Outdoor Bar

Having an outdoor bar on your patio is practical and also decorative. You can easily host intimate gatherings or dinner parties without needing to back inside each time someone’s drink needs to be refilled, which allows you to participate fully in your party without needing to sacrifice any of your great hosting skills. There are different bars to choose from including a wicker cart-like bar, contemporary polyethylene bar or port one that can be moved from one area to another. There are some patio bars that have drawers included for storing extras such as accessories and napkins or even serving dishes.

Fire Pit For Providing A Warm Glow

One very cozy addition that you can add to your patio area is a fire pit. Just think of your skin being caressed by the warmth of a fire on a crisp, cool evening.Just the flickering sound can help you relax at night with a companion. It isn’t very complicated or time-consuming to build a fire pit. You can use brick, concrete blocks or stones. A fence post sized hole of around 3 feet deep will need to be dug and then filled in with gravel. To ward off fumes, dry-stack the stones rather than using adhesives.

Use More Greenery

You might be surrounded by greenery, after all, we are discussing the outdoor. But you still might want to think about adding foliage to your actual patios such as colorful vines, flowers, and potted plants. There can even be wall plots adorning the walls of your home that surrounding the patio or aromatic greenery can be hung to provide the entire area with more depth. When greenery is added to your patio is provides more privacy, to leverage small trees or shrubs to block the view of your neighbor’s house. Just adding a few plants really can go a very long way towards creating the ideal retreat for your entire family.

Revive Your Outdoor Furniture

We recommend that you give your old furniture new life. It tends to take a real beating from the sun and rain. From rust and discoloration to nicks and scratches, there is plenty to get cleaned up. Lounge chairs might have ripped mesh or loose screws that need to be repaired.

Call us now or contact us today for more information regarding starting or finishing a new or existing outdoor lighting project of yours!

Outdoor Landscaping & Lighting Trends In 2017

Posted by Robert Huff on

What’s New In Landscaping? 2017 Trends To Watch

A lot happened in landscaping this year; in particular, there was a trend toward green. When most people think about the upkeep of their yard, they don’t necessarily think in terms of trends. However, flowers, trees, and other greenery can certainly be trendy; consider everything that must happen in order for landscaping to flourish. The soil must be healthy, for example. There has to be an appropriate amount of sunlight for the plants in the yard to grow as well. However, keep in mind that there is a lot that encompasses landscaping. Landscaping isn’t just flowers, plants and trees; it is the whole area that you are working with. That means that pathways are a part of landscaping. So is decor and furniture. Finally, don’t forget about outdoor lighting; Houston landscape lighting services are a huge part of the process as well.

Just one year ago, landscaping was all about color. If you took the time to look at lawns in your area, you may have noticed a variety of color interspersed in both the front and back yards. Things have gone in a different direction in 2017, and green is now the dominant color. However, because there are many shades of green, there is still quite a variety to see!

Natural is all the rage these days as well. Before this, there was a minimalist focus. That trend toward modernism is a thing of the past, however. Now, it is not unusual to see free-form patios and a fluidity in design. One difference we’ve personally seen is that there is a lot more wood when we go to do lighting installations.

Nature is the focus everywhere, including in the decor, the plants themselves, and more. There is also a focus on the environment, as landscapers try and plant foliage that is native to the region.

If you are considering installing outdoor lighting, pick an energy efficient option. Not only is it good for the environment, but it is less expensive for you in the long run. In particular, if you have a commercial property, you could save a bundle. There is a lot of space to work with, which is why it is important to be conscious of how much energy you are using. For example, if you own a strip mall or a health care center, you could save a lot of money if you pick LED lights for your outdoor areas. And, regardless of the weather outside, your property will always be aglow and will always look its best!

Outdoor lighting in Houston is a crucial part of any landscaping project. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it also serves an important purpose. Lighting helps you to see better and therefore stay safer, particularly when it is very dark outside. We can help with any lighting project, regardless of the scale. We work closely with you to ensure that you get what you want. We know how to make the process as painless for you as possible, even when there are additional challenges that present themselves along the way.

Get in touch with us or call Robert Huff Illumination & Outdoor Lighting today and let us know how we can help you going forward! We are happy to talk about your options with you.

Robert Huff Illumination Suggests These Houston Outdoor Lighting Techniques For Your Business

Posted by Robert Huff on

Commercial Outdoor Lighting Techniques

If you are looking for an outdoor light installer that is going to bring about a unique design to every commercial project, it is time to get in touch with Robert Huff Illumination experts. Regardless of whether you are looking to change the appearance of a restaurant or a nursing home, each is going to have specific needs that need to be addressed. An example of this would be a nonprofit hospital located in Fort Worth, Texas that used a wall wash technique to highlight the multiple facades of the many buildings.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Commercial Lighting Services HoustonSo what exactly is a wall washing lighting technique? Basically, this technique is going to create a warm and soothing look over the wall of a particular building. It is designed to look as though the light is bouncing off of the wall, this type of lighting will bring much more attention to any form of a building. This lighting technique will also minimize the texture of the building as it distributes the light evenly. Our Houston commercial lighting experts use this technique to liven the building up and offer the building a chance to shine in the evening.

The opposite of this technique is known as the moonlighting lighting technique. In this situation, the fixtures are placed above as opposed to down. So here the light will be shining down on the building. This helps to create some incredible shadows on the ground.

Another option that our experts can use is up-lighting which makes a remarkable contrasting effect. When a wall washing technique is used, the lights are placed about 12 inches from the wall plane which creates that flat appearance, with up-lighting the spotlights are placed close to the facade for an incredible effect. When this form of lighting is viewed from afar, it creates a dramatic view. Our Houston light installers will use this same technique for trees and other elements of the landscape.

Down-lighting technique is a form that is similar to moonlight with the exception that it is quite a bit bolder. Here the light fixtures are placed high to create a full circle of light over an area.

For an illuminating backdrop, our installers can use the process of silhouetting. This spectacular light show is created with a spread light that is placed between plants, trees, or another structure. This is another form of lighting that can be used for a dramatic effect due to the sharp contrast between the background and lighted area. The Houston commercial outdoor lighting installers know that silhouetting works incredibly well with dark green vegetation.

If you are looking for a way to add safety to the property, you may want to consider path lighting which is actually one of the most important aspects of a commercial property. In this case, small lighting fixtures are placed along walkways, driveways, and to direct people.

The Robert Huff Illumination experts want individuals to know how important this form of lighting is. Once these lights have been installed they will be used to direct pedestrians and keep the property safe.

Path lighting is an aspect of lighting that no commercial property in Texas should underestimate. If you are looking for an incredible way to bring more pedestrian traffic to your business or just want to ensure the safety of your customers this is one of the best ways to do it. In addition, the right type of path lighting can be sued to create incredibly striking pathways through gardens and otherwise dark areas of a commercial property. Contact out Houston commercial outdoor lighting experts to create an incredible design that will work for your business and customers.

If you have any questions about commercial lighting in the Houston area, you need to get in touch with Robert Huff Illumination for the best advice and installation. Our crew has years of experience and a stellar reputation to bring you the absolute best in commercial lighting. Our experts will work any commercial project whether big or small with the same type of enthusiasm and standards. Contact us today to see how commercial lighting can offer your business more safety and profits.

Call now!

A Houston TX Outdoor Lighting Company Can Boost Your Profits By Boosting Your Visibility

Posted by Robert Huff on

Commercial Outdoor Lighting And Its Benefits On Your Houston Business

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Commercial Outdoor Lighting in HoustonIf you wanted to play it safe, you never would have gone into business for yourself. The responsibilities, risks, financial uncertainty, and seemingly endless work are not for the timid. Regardless of whether your business is an electronics store or a coffee house, it’s critical that you make your name known since advertising and visibility are necessary to grow your consumer base and your profits from one year to the next.

All sort of advertising can prove an expensive endeavor. You might spend thousands just to get a digital banner on the Internet, and a magazine and might run you just as much. Even promoting something on social media might break your budget. However, your budget should not limit your dreams. Fortunately, there are ways that you can get plenty of consumers talking about what your business does and who it is without spending a ton. Keep reading to learn a handful of these awesome tips:

You might want to consult a Houston TX outdoor lighting company if your business has a physical, brick and mortar location. If your area is rather dark or ‘quiet’ so to speak, then you might want a commercial lighting installation to draw attention to people driving by. A long pathway can make an obvious entrance to your location or just light up your spot inside a strip mall more than others. Even when you’re closed, people can remember your location and maybe see your hours.

Talk to your Houston TX outdoor lighting company about the right mood to set. Your coffee house might use wall sconces, spotlights, and accent lights to create a rather romantic ambiance. Once the day workers are gone, your location might become part of date nights. If you’re looking to cater more to families and children, then use a variety of lights for a rainbow look.

Your Houston TX outdoor lighting company should have options that keep your budget in mind. Installing lights is an unavoidable cost, but using LED landscape lights can provide energy savings that let you keep your utility bills down after everything is put in place and lit up. The right LEd landscape lighting should be able to withstand the climate and elements, so weather isn’t going to speed up your need for replacements. Anytime you can install lighting and save money, your business truly has a brighter future.

Social media is a great way to get advertising done even on a shoestring budget, given the fact that you can create and grow a community of like-minded individuals without paying to promote your posts. Attract and gather those that like your products or services, or just those with similar tastes. Engage them in conversation and learn about their interests. If you run a coffee shop, learn what flavors, beans, and blends people like. Post content about the history of coffee and its health benefits.

Most every modern business has a website or at the least some landing page, where they promote their services or products. An email subscription prompt is a great thing to add to any website you have since you can then collect the email addresses of your site visitors. As your list grows over time, you can sell exclusively to those that once showed interest in your business more than other visitors. That’s a great way to boost your sales.

Another tip for the digital world is adding a search button to your website. It lets your visitors find what interests them most, which means you are catering to your audience. For instance, if you sell DVDs online, you might find out what titles or movie stars people are looking for. If it turns out your visitors have a penchant for science fiction over romantic comedies, you can skew your selections in that direction. You can also find out if there are things that people are looking for that you don’t yet carry so you can add it to your inventory.

Advertise Your Business With Commercial Outdoor Lighting In Houston

There are more ways to improve your business sales and opportunities other than just traditional advertising, and they’re not as expensive either. Whether it’s learning online or doing outdoor lighting, you can find tips, tricks, and tools you can use to make more money and enhance the visibility of your business. Running your own business can mean putting in long hours and facing tough decisions, many of which aren’t going to be in your comfort zone, but if you believe in it and want it, then do what it takes. If you want to shed light on your business for the world to see, then we just might be the Houston TX outdoor lighting company for you. Call us or contact Robert Huff Illumination & Outdoor Lighting today for more information on the commercial lighting services we provide.

Setting Up An Outdoor Living Space With Houston Outdoor Lighting: Tips For Success

Posted by Robert Huff on

Why Outdoor Lighting In Houston Is A Necessity For Your Outdoor Living Space

When you set up an outdoor area, you extend the living space of your home. This is particularly beneficial if you have a small house or you just don’t have enough room to store all of your things. When you create a purposeful area outside of your building, there is no limit to what you can do. You can set up a place to go when you are feeling stressed. You can set up a place to entertain others. Keep in mind that outdoor areas generally improve your curb appeal, so if you plan to sell in the future, you’ve got a feature that will be attractive to buyers. Just think of it; you could have your own place to do yoga, become one with nature or even just read.

If your family includes kids, you definitely need an outdoor living space. This area will give them a place to imagine, a place to run and jump and a place to enjoy nature. You can put up a play structure if you want. A tree house is a possibility as well. And, of course, if you think you will be outside in the evenings, it is a good idea to utilize Houston outdoor lighting services by getting them done correctly. Lights add visibility, which means it will be safer to play outside at dusk. Ultimately, an outdoor living area can help you relax and enjoy life. It also comes in handy when you need to sell your home.

We have worked in the Houston area for several years, and we enjoy lighting up the night for our customers. We’ve installed path lights, pool lights, and accent lights, and we feel confident that we can turn your outdoor living space into something amazing. Based on the work we’ve done, we’ve come up with several tips to help you create the outdoor living space of your dreams.

1. Come Up With A Design First

Before you get started on anything, make your design. You don’t want to dig up part of the yard without having a clear plan for what you want to do going forward. As light installers, we always design a plan first and present it to our clients. We then discuss and revise as necessary, making sure that we adhere to their vision of what they want from the project.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Residential Outdoor Lighting Houston2. Set A Goal

The size of your house and the size of your yard doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you have a goal and an idea of what you want to see happen in your space. Lighting projects are all different. That’s because the homes and properties are all different as well. You never know what you might run into while on a job. Sometimes, we may need to bring in other professionals to help with your lighting project, like an engineer or an architect. This is done to ensure that you get the best outdoor space possible.

3. Go Green

Eco-friendly lighting is always the best option. You help the planet and you help your wallet as well when you choose to go green. We have LED lighting options that conserve energy and that won’t break the bank. There are even a variety of color options to choose from, so you don’t have to stick with the normal blue, green and red if you don’t want to.

LED lights are useful in a variety of ways. They can set a mood. They can light up an area or simply mark a walkway. They conserve energy and there are so many fixtures that you can choose from as well. Talk to your Houston outdoor lighting services professional and find out what you can do with your space.

4. Get Creative With Seating

You don’t have to keep everything uniform in your outdoor space. Why not set up a few metallic stools and then add some wooden benches as well? Don’t forget your children, either; there is plenty to choose from in the way of kid’s outdoor seating. Get creative and express your personality. Also think about how and who will use the space. You may enjoy lounging in a hammock, for example, while your spouse might prefer a bench. The only caveat here is to make sure that you don’t include too many patterns. In addition, have an overall theme that you can build around.

5. Have A Focal Point

Outdoor living areas should have a focal point. You can incorporate any number of decorative elements, as long as there is a focal point that the eye is drawn to.

Call us now or contact Robert Huff Illumination & Outdoor Lighting today for more information regarding the services we provide!