Landscape Lighting Orlando, FL is an investment in your property. Skillfully installed lighting shows off that Sylvester Date Palm and accentuates the lacy leaves of your Japanese maple at night.
It can also create a sense of balance in outdoor spaces so that illuminated elements complement each other and contribute to a visually appealing composition. Learn about the different types of landscape lights and what environments they work best in.
Uplighting is a great way to highlight tall trees or architectural features on your home. These lights are installed below the object you want to illuminate and shine light upward. They can also be used to illuminate a path, highlighting the edges of the walkway. This type of lighting can add a very dramatic look to your property after dark, making it more inviting and highlighting the unique elements of your landscape design.
There are a variety of fixtures that can be used in this type of lighting, including spotlights and bullet lights. Spotlights are a great option for uplighting because they are versatile and can be aimed in many different directions. They are typically made of aluminum, stainless steel or bronze and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can also be purchased with a wide range of bulb types and wattages to suit your needs.
Spotlights are also an excellent choice for highlighting a single point of interest in your landscaping, such as a tree or other feature. They are a great option for illuminating paths and other low areas in your yard, as well as being an effective security lighting system by helping to deter crime by creating a well-lit environment.
Another popular landscape lighting fixture is the sconce, which is ideal for adding style and character to a front porch or entryway. These lights are often modeled after high-end indoor lighting, with sleek, classic styles that complement your home’s architecture. These lights can be placed on a wall, stairwell or porch and offer the convenience of being operated with a remote control.
Landscape lighting can be complex, requiring the expertise of a professional to create a cohesive and functional system. From determining the right wattage for each fixture to avoiding glare, there is a lot to consider when installing landscape lighting. You should also keep in mind that outdoor lighting is exposed to the elements, so it will need regular maintenance to ensure proper function.
Depending on the size and complexity of your project, landscape lighting can be an affordable enhancement to your home. Small projects using solar or traditional lighting can cost as little as $500, while more elaborate designs will be more expensive. In order to get an accurate estimate for your project, it is important to have a design in mind. This will help you narrow down your options and find the best fit for your home.
Downlighting
Unlike uplighting, which casts beams of light upwards to draw attention to focal points like tall trees or architectural features of your home, downlighting shines a wash of light downward, accentuating what lies below. This technique is great for lighting up walkways, seating areas and other ground-level functional spaces to illuminate them for safety and ambiance after dark.
Downlights can also be installed in the branches of large trees to mimic moonlight, casting soft shadows on the ground below. This style of landscape lighting is also called “moonlighting,” and it can be a beautiful addition to your yard.
As with uplighting, you will have a lot of choice when it comes to downlighting fixtures and finishes, depending on the look you are going for. Choosing fixtures with matte, polished or textured finishes will help you achieve the right ambiance for your yard. You can even choose lights with different colors of bulbs to add a touch of drama or warmth to your design. Just be sure to use colored bulbs sparingly, so as not to overwhelm your space.
Most modern landscape lighting systems use low-voltage power, which runs off of your home’s standard electrical system but is stepped down to a lower voltage through a transformer. This makes the setup safer, easier and more cost-effective. Most low-voltage systems can be operated manually with simple timers or photocells, or you can integrate your landscape lighting into a smart home integration system for more control.
Regardless of what type of landscape lighting you choose, a well-designed lighting scheme will make your home and yard come to life after dark. Achieving the right balance of brightness and shadow will create a magical effect that draws people to your yard, enhances your architecture and showcases your garden’s best features. With the right knowledge, you can be your own DIY lighting expert, or you can trust the professionals to take on the task. Just be sure to map out your layout before you begin and consult a professional to ensure all the necessary connections are in place to provide consistent, reliable lighting throughout your property.
Ambient Lighting
Lighting the right areas of your property makes outdoor spaces usable at night, creating an inviting mood for family and friends. It also increases your home’s value and makes it more attractive to potential buyers. Well-placed landscape lighting can make your property’s water features, ornamental shrubbery and yard sculptures come alive. A professionally-designed lighting system can showcase your house’s architectural details, too.
Illuminating your property with ambient lighting creates a soft, welcoming atmosphere and emphasizes key landscaping elements, like trees, planters, fountains and benches. Depending on your goals, you may also use landscape lighting to highlight walkways or the edge of your deck or patio. For safety, it’s important to illuminate pathways and stairs, particularly if they wind through garden beds or along a driveway.
A good rule of thumb is to light walkways and driveways to a height that’s comfortable for most people to walk over, not so high that it feels like a runway. For aesthetics, use path lights with a wide, evenly spread beam that illuminates the walkway’s surface rather than highlighting individual plants.
Your choice of fixture and bulb will help you set the mood for your space: Choose warm-color options that mimic incandescent bulbs to create a cozy feel, or go with cooler options for a moonlit effect. Many modern LED fixtures come in a range of colors, and you can use controls like timers or smart home integration systems to change the look and feel of your lighting on demand.
While you may be tempted to save money by installing your landscape lighting yourself, it’s usually best left to a professional. In addition to providing expertise in design and installation, landscape lighting professionals have access to a wider selection of fixtures and can ensure your system meets all applicable local codes and guidelines.
Lighting your home’s landscape can be complex, and a poorly executed job can not only ruin your curb appeal, but it could also pose safety risks. To avoid these dangers, contact a qualified lighting professional who can install your landscape lighting and provide maintenance services to keep it looking its best.
Lumen Output
Landscape lighting can highlight the silhouette of a tree, shrub, or other feature, or provide a subtle wash of light on hardscape features like stairs and entryways. These effects can create drama and ambiance. It’s important to know the lumen output of your landscape lights, which can vary by fixture type and size as well as your needs.
For example, a small accent light with a lower lumen rating is perfect for uplighting a fern on the edge of a garden bed. It’s also ideal for lighting the underside of a stair railing. A large area light, on the other hand, can brighten pathways and highlight architectural elements around the home.
In general, the higher the lumen output of a light, the brighter it will be. But the wattage of the bulb can also have an impact on brightness, especially for antiquated halogen bulbs with high energy consumption. Today’s LED bulbs offer more lumens per watt than their halogen counterparts, and their lower energy use means a reduced environmental footprint.
It’s also important to choose a light with the right color temperature. Early LED lights often had a bluish tint, but newer models are available with a neutral or warm color temperature that complements the look of most homes and landscaping.
Lastly, consider your controls. A timer, photocell, or smart home integration system can help manage your lights and optimize performance. When planning your system, Mark Piantedosi of Commonwealth Landscape Lighting recommends keeping the number of fixtures on a single line to less than 20 feet, which helps maintain consistent power delivery and prevent voltage drop.
A professional landscape lighting installer brings expertise in design, technical knowledge, access to a larger range of high-quality fixtures, and the ability to ensure your project meets local codes. They can also help you navigate the sometimes complicated process of obtaining permits.