Landscaping Lighting
Choosing the Right Outdoor Lighting Types
There are a variety of different outdoor lighting types. These include floodlights, Uplighting, and line voltage fixtures. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. This guide will help you choose the right type for your outdoor space. Whether you’re looking for additional lighting for your walkway, patio, or other area, there’s a type of outdoor light for your needs.
Uplighting
When used strategically, uplighting is an excellent way to highlight your favorite exterior features. This type of lighting works well for architectural columns, garden features, and large trees. It also provides a sense of subtle security and safety. Here are a few examples of uplighting uses. This type of lighting is most effective for features that are taller than the rest of the house.
Path lights are one of the most commonly used outdoor lighting types. They’re designed to be a feature of a landscape and are readily available from a variety of manufacturers. Uplighting, also known as spot uplights, is used to accent particular elements of a landscape. The light source is low on the ground, and is directed upward to create a narrow spot beam that enhances a feature.
Canopy lighting
Canopy outdoor lighting is a great choice for patios and gardens, and can also serve as a great safety measure. Canopy outdoor lighting is made to be low-profile, and the lighting is made of UL-listed, damp and vandal-resistant housings and polycarbonate lenses. It is easy to install and comes with mounting components. It is also energy-efficient, and will save you money over metal-halide lighting.
LED Canopy Lights are environmentally-friendly, maintenance-free, and can be easily adapted to different environments. LEDs have lower wattages and offer a longer lifespan than metal halide fixtures. This makes LED Canopy Lights ideal for canopies and other outdoor retail applications.
Line voltage fixtures
Line voltage fixtures are ideal for security lighting, moonlighting and spotlighting large areas. They are less expensive than low-voltage fixtures, and can be installed quickly and easily. Line voltage fixtures are the most common type used for outdoor lighting in public and commercial spaces. These fixtures use quartz halogen bulbs to provide the same amount of lumens per watt as traditional incandescent bulbs.
Line voltage outdoor lighting is most common for public, commercial, and security applications. It is a popular choice because of its low installation costs and ease of maintenance. However, line voltage requires proper wiring and a licensed electrician to install. In addition, line voltage requires long wire runs and sealed junction boxes at connection points. Line voltage is also commonly used for up-lighting large trees, though today, low voltage LED fixtures are available.
Floodlights
Floodlights offer a wide spread of light compared to spotlights. Their beam spread can range from 45 degrees to 120 degrees, making them a better option for landscape lighting. They are ideal for illuminating large areas such as a driveway, patio, or garden, and are sometimes installed on trees for downlighting.
LED flood lights use low energy, yet produce an equally strong beam of light. They also last longer than other bulbs. Many are designed to last up to 50,000 hours. Some are dimmable, while others come with adjustable light switches. LED lights also turn on immediately and are available in many different colors. They are also compact and durable, reducing the need to replace the bulbs.
Spotlights
Spotlights are an excellent way to bring light to your garden and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They are ideal for illuminating various areas of your garden, and you can place several of them to light up multiple plants at a time. Spotlights can be purchased individually or in kits that include transformers and a light fixture. Spotlights are also perfect for lighting up your small garden, and they can highlight details of different plants.
Spotlights come in various shapes and styles and provide strong, direct light. Choosing the right one for your space will help you achieve the right effect. For instance, recessed spotlights are ideal for illuminating pathways and walkways. Similarly, ceiling spotlights are a great choice for illuminating staircases.
Inground lighting
Inground outdoor lighting types are a great way to add ambiance to your backyard. These fixtures can be hidden below the ground to create a beautiful effect, while spotlights can be installed for added illumination. These lights are great for highlighting important features, such as trees and walls. They are also useful for lighting driveways.
There are several different types of outdoor lighting, including floodlights, spotlights, and LED lights. Many homeowners choose to use these bulbs for their landscape lighting because they are energy-efficient and last for a long time. While they do have a strange shape and are slightly slower to turn on than other outdoor lighting types, these bulbs are extremely bright and can last for several years. However, they do contain mercury, which can be dangerous if they break.