Landscape lighting is the perfect way to enhance the functionality of all areas of your home and improve security at the same time!
Because outdoor lighting allows for the deck, patio, pool, or any other outdoor area to be lit up throughout all hours of the day, your property doubles the amount of time that it can be used. Only being able to be outdoors during the natural lighting hours means it loses half of its utility.
Where Should The Landscape Lighting Be?
Overall, you get to choose where the landscape lighting is and the effect that it has on the area being lit up. Here is a list of the techniques that can be used and chosen to help you make a decision.
Highlighting
Highlighting is when the light is at the base of an outdoor fixture or structure. This placement adds shape, color, and form to the illuminated landscape.
Washing
When the light is a few feet away at an indirect angle to a wall or shrub, this is washing. This creates a soft glow.
Up-lighting
Up-lighting is when the light is placed low at the base light, similar to washing, but it is more direct. This technique is perfect for featuring objects or creating a contrasting shadow.
Down-lighting
When the lighting is bright and fixed from an eave, trellis, hardscape, or soffit feature, this is called down-lighting. This technique usually highlights the structure of the house.
Path Lighting
Path lighting occurs when steps or obstacles are illuminated, and this usually includes staggered lighting.
In-grade
This is when a light is installed on a surface, usually like the base of a wall or hardscape, to produce an accent and shadow. This technique is best where other fixtures would be a tripping hazard or obstacle.
More Unique Options For Landscape Lighting Placement
Moonlighting
Moonlighting is a little more unique than the techniques previously because this lighting is usually placed in a tree and creates a glow similar to moonlight. Soft large fixtures are placed in trees and angled downwards.
Silhouetting
Silhouetting is when the light is behind the feature, usually towards a close wall, to silhouette the feature it is behind. This creates a dramatic effect at night.
Shadowing
When the light is just at the base of a feature, and towards a wall, this is shadowing. This lighting technique can create a magical effect from the shadows being portrayed on the walls.
Accenting
This occurs when the light is angled up or down with a narrow beam from a hidden position. This technique is perfect for drawing attention to a feature like a statue.
Pool/Shoreline
When lights are placed slightly above or no more than 12 inches beneath the water’s surface. These lights tend to be near steps, at the ends of the pool area, or spaced along the side walls.
Cost of Landscape Lighting
Before you can worry about the exact placement and positioning of your lighting, you should consider how much you are willing to spend on this addition.
The amount that you spend will depend on the materials you choose and the labor of someone placing the lights for you.
Additionally, you need to consider the quality of the light fixtures you have or want installed, the size of the landscape area you want to be illuminated due to the labor and also the number of light fixtures you will be needing, and the power source and size of the transformer required to safely illuminate the area.
You need to also consider where you want the lights to be installed, such as the placement and techniques mentioned above. Installing lights on outdoor structures like soffits or even trees could become more pricey due to labor.
Are You Interested In Landscape Lighting?
Outdoor lighting is the perfect way to enjoy this summer. You will be able to enjoy the cool outdoors at nighttime with this installation.
Fusion Electric serves those in residential and commercial electrical services, including outdoor lighting. We have received an “A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and are ready to work with you.
If you live in Overland Park or the Kansas City Metro area, let our qualified electricians at Fusion Electric light up your outdoors for social events and security all year long. Whether you are looking to add outdoor lighting to your backyard or an outdoor area at your commercial business, we want to assist you.
Contact Fusion Electric today to install landscape lighting on your property!
