Planning Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting can enhance a landscape with dramatic lighting techniques which contrast light and shadow, or be more subtle with wide washes of outdoor illumination. In addition to the aesthetics of landscaping lighting, well placed lighting fixtures improve visibility for home security and safety. Various styles and forms of landscape lighting include uplighting, accent lighting, silhouette lighting, directional lighting, path lighting, and security lighting. Outdoor lighting options include both low voltage lighting and 120-volt landscape lighting systems.

PLANNING LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

SKETCH - Draw a birds-eye view of your property to use for layout purposes, including the house footprint, walks, driveways, and major landscape features. Include utility lines, sprinkler lines and other buried items. OVERVIEW - Make a list of the various areas in your yard that require or would qualify for outdoor lighting. DON'T OVERDUE IT - Too many lights look busy and don't allow for the proper mix of contrasting light and dark. FINAL PLAN - Sketch fixture locations and where wires will run. Remember it's difficult to go under walks and driveways, and exposed wires are a last resort. TESTING - If possible, temporarily hook-up the landscape lighting system on top of the ground and see how it looks after dark. Make necessary adjustments before final installation. FINAL INSTALLATION - Once you are happy with the final layout, install the wires and lights. Check local ordinances for requirements and follow local codes. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS - It's important to know where lighting wires are buried for future activities, such as planting and digging. Consider protecting wires inside conduit, especially where they are close to the surface or the edge of a bed.

Shadow Lighting - Place the lighting fixture so it shines on an object or tree, creating a shadow on a wall. Uplighting - Use a spotlight to illuminate an attractive tree or plant in your landscape. Accent Lighting - Highlight an architectural detail, statue or garden sculpture. Silhouette Lighting - Light the wall behind an unusually shaped tree to create a silhouette effect.
Solar Lighting this should be considered if getting power to the area you are wanting light to is to expencive such as areas right at the bottom of a rocky garden.
Downlighting or Moonlighting - A spotlight hidden high in a tree creates an interesting moonlight effect. Path Lighting - Light the way to your front door for guest's safety and convenience. Area Lighting - Show off large areas of flowers and ornamental plantings. Security Lighting - Well-lit outdoor areas can discourage burglars. Consider using photocells or motion detectors to activate these lights. Stair Lighting - Add embedded or external stair fixtures to reduce the hazard of dark steps. Wall Lighting - Illuminate an interesting wall... coarse textured walls can be 'grazed' with light. Column Lighting - Narrow spotlights can be used to define columns or pillars, creating an interesting effect.
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LED OUTDOOR LIGHTING SYSTEMS
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a relatively old technology (1960s) that has advanced from use in numeric displays and indicator lights to a range of new and potential new applications, including exit signs, accent lights, task lights, traffic lights, signage,cove lighting, wall sconces, outdoor lighting and decorative lighting.
LEDs offer benefits such as small size, long lamp life, low heat output, energy savings and durability. They also allow extraordinary design flexibility in color changing, dimming and distribution by combining these small units into desired shapes, colors, sizes and lumen packages. Currently, relatively low overall light output, poor color rendering and questions about advertised service life may indicate that LEDs, while very useful in many applications, are not yet ready for “prime time” in some architectural pplications. Notably promising current applications include retail display, colored lighting, tight spaces, areas that require low light levels, exterior lighting and applications where the integration of light sources and architectural elements is critical.
LEDs currently dominate the exit sign market and many cities have adopted them as a replacement for incandescent lamps in traffic signals. In the architectural market, the development of a visible LED has awakened lighting designers to new possibilities with this light source.
CharacteristicsLEDs are solid state semiconductor devices. LED illumination is achieved when a semiconductor crystal is excited so that it directly produces visible light in a desired wavelength range (color). LED units are small, typically 3~5mm. And several shapes of LED are available now in the market.
ColorThe color composition of the light being emitted by the LED is based on the chemical composition of the material being excited. LEDs are available that can produce colors including white, deep blue, blue, green, yellow, amber, orange, red, bright red and deep red
EfficacyLEDs are low-voltage(2V~3.2V), low-current(20mA) devices and efficient light sources. For red, amber, yellow, green and blue LEDs, new materials have been developed that are more efficient than traditional materials, producing efficacies (lumens per watt) greater than incandescent lamps and rivaling fluorescent lamps. Besides, LED have low heat emitting. which is about half as efficient as an equivalent tungsten-filament lamp.
Long lifetime and durableUnder proper situation, such satisfied voltage, current as well environment. the lifetime of LED is up to 100,000 hours. LED are made from non-toxic material, which can be recycled and hardly to. be Damaged, unlike the traditional lamp made of glass.
No UV Emissions/Little InfraredLEDs produce no UV radiation and little heat, making them ideal for illuminating objects, such as works of art, that are sensitive to UV light .
Other BenefitsThe other benefits of LEDs include: Environmental protection, Unbreakable light body, Charming color, various size and shape as well versatile application. With more and more competitive price as well wider application of LEDs, we are convinced that LED will be an idea and important light source in the 21th century. And we are also very glad to introduce our products, such as LED Softlight, LED Light String, LED Neon Tube, LED Lawn Light....etc. many series items, to all over the world.
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