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Landscape lighting

We all know that plant life can give an otherwise boring yard a boost, however what about your night time landscape? While you can enjoy your yard during the daylight hours, so many people neglect the uses that their newly landscaped yard can have during the wee hours of the night. Despite the fact that lighting can be placed anywhere in your home, both indoors and outdoors. Many people neglect the much-needed lighting in their yards. However, I can’t express enough how many hours of enjoyment you are missing!

As a world that enjoys company of others, we often times find ourselves enjoying the ins and outs of friendship throughout the year. However, the parties seem to wane as soon as the light of the sun falter; especially when we are holding a good old fashioned barbeque in our newly landscaped yards.

But there is hope! There is no longer a reason to call it a night just because the sun has been tucked safely out of view. No, there is a world of landscaping that few begin to consider. Landscape lighting is a wonderful way to gain some additional hours of use from your newly landscaped yard (even if you have had your landscape design in place for years, it could use a light or two!)

Even if you have seen or heard about landscape lighting, you may not know where to start. While yes, it is possible to have the professionals install your new landscape lighting. It can tend to lean on the expensive side of things, especially since you must have not only a landscape designer come in. You will be looking for a landscape designer with a knowledgeable background in electricity and laying electrical wiring.

However with all of this said, it is possible for you to take on a do it yourself project! It can indeed save you hundreds of dollars on labor and costs. But if you’d rather leave it to the professionals, it is still just as important to understand everything that will be going on in your yard. Simply because it will help you to keep your landscape designer honest.

Tip one: You should always make informed decisions when it comes to your landscape design. As with planting and even energy saving landscape design, your outdoor lighting should be something you simply have a knowledge about. A little know-how always goes a long way!

Throughout this guide to landscape and outdoor lighting, you will find everything that you might need to keep you in the know. Whether you choose to install the lighting yourself, or if you hire in professionals. You should be in the loop every step of the way. For this reason we have put together an easy to follow and informational series of articles on landscape lighting. Which will allow you to understand the differences and pluses about low voltage verses high voltage systems. Along with many other key points in landscape lighting that you must know before installing that new lighting.

First and foremost we will talk about the differences between low voltage against line voltage. While your typical low voltage system is 12 volts (or 12V for those who understand electricity), your stereotypical line system is approximately 120 volts. Yes, it isn’t suppose to make much sense quite yet. However, you will soon understand the many differences between the two.

While your line voltage systems are great for commercial use (places such as shopping malls and hospitals), you will find that the low voltage systems are by far more appropriate for residential settings (which is what you are probably looking into). However there are definite pros and cons for the use of both the 12 volt and 120 volt systems in all settings.

Before we look into the 120 volt systems, we will talk about all of the pluses and minuses of the 12 volt system. Simply because they will more than likely be what your landscape designer (or yourself) will choose to add into your residential landscape design. Remember, that while these pros and cons are in depth, they won’t touch on all of the subjects that you might find necessary to make your decision.

Tip two: you should always know what kind of lighting you are using. While the aesthetics are important to your landscape design, the ease of use and the ability to replace a bulb easily is just as important. If it is difficult to find replacements, you aren’t likely to utilize your beautifully manicured yard as often as you should!

12 volt landscape lighting systems are one of the best tools we have at our disposal. Not only can low voltage lighting systems help to add the much needed lighting into your landscape, but can do it while saving you money in the process. However despite all of the pluses that come along with 12 volt landscape lighting in your home. There are a couple definite down sides. One of which is the fact that they simply don’t put off a ton of light. Often times giving off just enough light to illuminate the area lightly, rather than your incredibly bright commercial use landscape lighting. Though this might be a downside for many, it can be a plus to some people who would rather have ambiance with their lighting.

The last true downside to 12 volt lighting is that depending on the model, the bulbs can be somewhat difficult to find. However, with that said you can also utilize energy efficient bulbs in these 12 volt models. Thus making it the eco-friendly way to light your backyard (or front yard) landscape.

First and foremost in the plus side of 12 volt landscape lighting, is the fact that they are installed and moved easily. While many people will sell their lighting along with their homes, you will always have the option of picking them up when you go. Allowing you to shed a little light on your new living situation. This is because the cable on 12 volt landscape lighting is usually hidden between plants, rather then buried under the ground like industrial landscape lighting.

Next in line is the fact that they are designed to become wet! Unlike their industrial cousins. The 12 volt landscape lighting are all designed for damp and overly wet areas. Thus making it safe to operate them in moist or wet atmospheres. They are even safe in areas such as Seattle, who sees rain on a nearly daily basis. Which will allow anyone to enjoy their lighting, no matter the weather!

Tip Three: When you are looking for bulbs for your lighting, take the used or broken bulb with you. It will allow your local garden center associate (or an associate at your grocer) to help you find the right replacement. It is of the utmost importance to replace them with the correct bulb, so that you do not burn out your landscape lighting!

With 12 volt landscape lighting, you of course will need to change the bulb from time to time. This time can be expanded by utilizing energy efficient and long lasting bulbs. All of which can be found at your local garden center, grocer, tool warehouses, or online landscape lighting specialty shops. Making It fairly simple to get the longest possible period of use out of your landscape’s lighting.

One of the many plus sides of 12 volt landscape lighting versus the industrial strength 120 volt systems is that the lamps (or bulbs) are small. Thus allowing your overall landscape lighting fixtures to be smaller. It has become popular for many people to add in smaller less obtrusive lights into their landscapes. Thus creating the overall mood while shedding a little light on their landscape.

Not only are the bulbs and fixtures smaller, but the light beam itself can be more controlled. Often times seen in precise pillars shining on any one facet of one’s landscape. Giving you, or your landscape designer more control over how much (or how little) light is shed on the over-all landscape of your yard.

So you aren’t an electrician? No problem! Most 12 volt landscape design lighting can be simply plugged into any outside outlets (which most homes come equipped with anyway). Making it possible to negate the need for electrical contractors as a whole, and allowing you to enjoy your lighting within a matter of hours; rather than days when you are waiting for the electrical lines to be put into place.

However this will often times scare many people away, especially when the talk of electrical current conversion comes into play. Luckily, there is little need to worry. Most of your modern 12 volt landscape lighting has it’s own built-in converter. Taking that whopping 120 volt capacity of your home’s electrical outlet, and converting it into an easily managed 12 volts of energy. Making them a must-have in anyone’s landscape.

Tip Four: While 12 volt lighting might be good for almost everyone, you might find yourself in need of more light. This is particularly true if you have a large chunk of land at your disposal. However, the 120 volt landscape lighting is always a good option for these people.

120 volt, or industrial strength landscape lighting is a great alternative to the 12 volt lighting if you have more than the average yard. However, there are a few down sides to this style of lighting in your landscape. Making them the less desirable of the two for most residential landscape design projects. Though there are a few major plus sides to this kind of landscape lighting. Such as the fact that they allow you to shed a large amount of light on your situation. They are particularly wonderful for people who may have horses or cattle, allowing you to utilize your space even at night; without having to worry about floodlights or other means of seeing in the dark.

One of the many down sides in using 120 volt landscape lighting instead of the 12 volt energy saving systems. Is the fact that their electrical wires must be buried at a minimum of eighteen inches below the ground. One way around this is to place the cords into a protective conduit. All of which can make this type of lighting extremely difficult to move from place to place. While their more residentially friendly cousins are easy to move from place to place, the wires will need to be dug up prior to moving. Making it a task that few people would enjoy taking on.

Remember, that although the 12 volt landscape lighting is waterproof. This doesn’t include all of the landscape lighting that is available for you to purchase. The 120 volt industrial strength landscape lighting is not waterproof. There are a few steps you must take before the fixtures, connectors, and wiring will be safe to utilize in the wet weather. Most of which will be waterproofed by your electrician upon contract. If you choose to try and install this type of landscape lighting yourself, this is a must do step! If you skip over this step in installation of 120 volt landscape lighting, you will find that the hazards of a deadly shock when wet is very real. Always take precautions with this type of landscape lighting!

Tip Five: You must know and understand the many differences of the 120 volt and 12 volt landscape lighting can offer you. While most people will get the bigger benefit from 12 volt lighting, that isn’t to say that the harder to install 120 volt systems can’t provide you with the same enjoyment.

Unfortunately the difficulties of 120 volt landscape lighting systems don’t stop at the risk of shock when they aren’t properly waterproofed. While their much more user friendly cousins the 12 volt landscape lighting fixtures can be small and discreet. The 120 volt industrial landscape lighting simply isn’t. The lamps required for these lights are much larger then your residential lights, thus making it a necessity for larger fixtures in which to house them. While this is usually a given in your industrial settings, it isn’t always a desired effect in a residential home. However, they too can become artistic sculptures within your land. So long as your yard is on a minimum of a half acer or more.

Along these same lines is the overall spread of the light itself. While 12 volt lamps can provide a controlled amount of light being shed in your yard. The 120 volt landscape lighting often times provide one to two beam spreads. Which are wonderful for parking lots, however it may produce inappropriate high levels of light for your home. Often times creating glare problems, not to mention the fact that this amount of light is far more expensive to own and operate. Again, they are of course needed in some landscape designs; but for a patio or front yard lighting they might not be appropriate.

While you aren’t required to install a transformer or converter for this style of lighting, the rest of the electrical lines should be installed by a professional. Unlike the 12 volt, they aren’t as user friendly, and most lighting cannot be installed within a day. Another true downside to this style of landscape lighting is the fact that you must obtain certification and local permits before you install them. Simply because most states will not allow this style of lighting in highly compact residential areas.

Tip Six: You should take the time to understand the laws and regulations on landscape lighting in your area! While some states may not regulate the lighting of one’s outdoor space as closely, many will have a limit on how brightly your yard can be lit. So as to keep your neighbors happily in their sleep, while you party throughout the night in your newly lit space.