Outdoor
lighting enhances the beauty of your property, makes your home safer and
more secure, and increases the number of pleasurable hours you spend
outdoors. And it is an investment that pays off handsomely in the value
it adds to your home.
For added security, illuminate any side of the house that would
otherwise be in shadow. To conserve energy, install a motion or
heat-sensitive control that will switch on the light only if someone
approaches that side of the house. An automatic timer can control a
portion of your outdoor lights to turn off at a certain hour, while
basic security lights can be left on through the night. Another proven
safety measure is to use timers on interior lights to make your home
look occupied when you’re away.
Dark-Sky Friendly Lighting Tip – In order to prevent
unwanted glare from your outdoor lighting, use bulbs with reasonable
illumination levels. You may also use full cut-off fixtures to direct
the light down towards the ground, where it is needed, rather than being
cast to the side or up towards the sky, where it is wasted.
Entrance – A well-lit
front entrance enables you to greet guests and identify visitors. Wall
lanterns on each side of the door will give your home a warm, welcoming
look, while assuring the safety of those who enter.
Under a porch or other overhang, you can use recessed, chain-hung or
close-to-ceiling fixtures. A separate rear or side entrance can be
lighted with a single wall lantern installed on the keyhole side of the
door.
Garage – For the safety
and security of family members using the garage at night, you can
install a wall fixture above or to either side of the garage doors.
Motion detectors light up obscure spots when someone passes by. In
addition, photocells are available that will turn fixtures on at dusk
and off at dawn, reducing energy consumption and providing security when
you’re away from home.
Security – For added
security, illuminate any side of the house that would otherwise be in
shadow. Spotlights installed on your eaves will accomplish this, or, for
a more dramatic look, consider ground lights pointed up to graze your
walls.
To conserve energy, install a sensor that will switch on the light only
at night or upon motion. If using uplighting, aim the fixtures so that
the light is captured by your eaves to lessen light pollution.
Steps, Paths and Driveways
– Steps, paths, and driveways should be illuminated to make sure family
members and guests are able to move about easily and safely after dark.
You can install path lights or post lanterns or attach lights to the
side of the house.
Low-level path lights, which spread circular patterns of light, will
brighten your walkway while highlighting nearby flower beds, shrubs and
ground cover. Low-level path lights can also be used to define the
boundaries of long driveways.
Bollards, which stand 30 to 36 inches off the ground, also work well.
Use shielded fixtures to avoid glare.
Decks and Porches – Decks,
porches, and patios can be converted into romantic evening retreats by
concealing low-voltage mini-lights under steps, railing or benches.
Another idea is to install a spotlight in the branches of a nearby tree.
pools and Fountains –
Pools and fountains illuminated with underwater lighting provide beauty
and safety for evening entertaining or swimming.
Low-voltage and LED lighting are popular sources for ambient pool
lighting, or install fiber-optic lighting to create a starry background
in your pool’s floor and around its edges. Floating and solar-powered
lights are also available.
Be sure to check with your local building authorities for safety
regulations before installing new lighting systems in existing pools.
A well lit area is one major crime deterrent, so adding outdoor lights increases your home's security by making sure that criminals don't go unnoticed. It is also good when you have to walk along the pathways. You will be able to see your steps and you can walk home safely.
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