Outdoor lighting does a lot more than just make your home look beautiful. It also improves safety, enhances security, and boosts your home’s property value. In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders, homes with outdoor lighting can see an increase of up to 20% in their home’s value. This article covers the types of outdoor lights, installation complexities, and the benefits of having outdoor lights on your property.
Outdoor Lighting Basics
Outdoor lighting uses artificial lights to light exteriors, such as gardens, parks, and streets. Here are some of the obvious benefits:
• Safety enhancement: Outdoor lighting makes it easier to navigate outdoor spaces at night, significantly reducing the risks of accidents.
• Boosts curb appeal: Outdoor lighting can boost curb appeal by creating a more inviting atmosphere and highlighting landscaping elements.
• Increases home value: Adding outdoor lights to the exterior of your home can increase your home’s value by enhancing its aesthetic appeal and highlighting the home’s architectural features.
Common Outdoor Lighting Types
If you’re considering adding outdoor lighting to your home, here are some types to consider.
• Pathway lights: These lights are accent lights used to highlight a path or walkway. They are usually used to enhance safety.
• Spotlights: Spotlights direct light onto a specific feature, such as a statue, water fountain, or a tree.
• Floodlights: These are bright lights that typically light up large areas. Floodlights are usually used for security purposes.
• Step and deck lights: Step and deck lights illuminate decks and steps to provide visibility and enhance safety.
• String and landscape lights: These lights are typically small and are used to decorate outdoor yards and porches.
Planning Your Outdoor Lighting Layout
Outdoor lighting can add ambiance and enhance the security of your property. However, it takes some planning to get it right. Here are some ways you can plan your outdoor lighting layout.
Assess Your Space
Start by deciding what outdoor space you’d like to illuminate and what kinds of lights work for each area.
Determine what kind of lights you’d like to use and for which areas. For pathways, consider path lights. If you have a large garden, decide whether you want to light up the whole garden or specific features.
Create a Lighting Plan
After assessing your space, draw out a lighting plan. Think of ways you can layer and combine lighting fixtures. You can accent a water fountain and then use string lights for ambient light on your porch, for instance.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
One common mistake people make is overlighting one section, which can throw off the balance of the entire space. Another mistake to avoid is poor placement. Placing a light in the wrong space can disrupt the symmetry of the space. Lastly, ignoring dark spots can create safety concerns and make your outdoor space feel incomplete.
Choosing the Right Fixtures
Once you have an idea of what kind of lights you’d like to use and where to put them, you can now choose fixtures. Outdoor lights must, above all, be durable. Popular materials include brass, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum.
Select fixtures that complement your home’s look, like modern, traditional, or rustic. Choosing the right style will ensure your fixtures blend seamlessly into your home’s design.
If you live in areas with harsh weather, prioritize fixtures with high weatherproof ratings. We recommend a minimum rating of IP44 as it protects against rain and dust. For stronger protection against humidity and rain storms, opt for IP65 and IP66.
Don’t forget to factor in energy efficiency, too. LED lights are a smart choice. They’re energy efficient, consume less power, last longer, and generate less heat than halogen lights. On the other hand, halogen lights have a warmer glow, which can create a cozier ambiance. In addition, halogen lights are more budget-friendly.
Powering Your Outdoor Lighting
Low-Voltage Systems
Low-voltage systems use a lower voltage of around 12 volts to power our lights. These systems offer increased safety and better energy efficiency than traditional bulbs. Choose low-voltage systems when you’d like to reduce your electrical consumption.
Solar Lighting
Solar lighting converts sunlight into electricity, which is then used to power the lights. The pros: they’re environmentally friendly and safe. The cons: they’re weather-dependent and their performance can suffer in cloudy regions.
Hardwired Lighting
Hardwired lights connect to your home’s electrical system. The advantages: they’re reliable, consistent, and offer better control than other powering systems. The disadvantages: they increase your electric bill and can be expensive to install.
Battery-Powered Options
Battery-powered lights use batteries instead of electricity. They’re cost effective and energy efficient. However, they’re ideal for temporary setups only, as they can end up consuming a lot of batteries over the long-term.
Step-by-Step Outdoor Lighting Installation
Follow this step-by-step outdoor lighting guide to ensure you install your low-voltage or hardwired lights properly.
Safety First: Important Precautions
Firstly, turn off the main breaker in your electrical panel box if you’re installing low-voltage or hardwired outdoor lights.
Installation Tools Checklist
Gather the following tools:
• Drill and bits for mounting your lights
• Screwdrivers
• Voltage tester
• Electrical tape
• Wire strippers and cutters
• Shovel to bury wires (if needed)
• Outdoor-rated extension cords (if needed)
Wiring and Transformer Tips
Use low-voltage cable, such as 12 or 14-gauge wire, and bury the wires at least 6 inches deep. In addition, wrap your wires with electrical tape to protect them from moisture. Add the total wattage of all your lighting fixtures and choose a transformer that’s 20-30% more than the total.
How to Connect to GFCI Outlets
Plug your transformer into your GFCI outlet and then use a weather-proof cover for safety. Also, make sure to keep the plug connection off the ground to prevent moisture.
Testing Your System Before Final Setup
Plug in your transformer, and make sure all outdoor lights turn on. Check for any flickering or dimming. After your test, fine-tune the brightness, placement, and angles.
Design Tips for Stunning Results
How to Highlight Landscape Features
For trees, place lights at the base of the trees and aim them upwards. For shrubs, use floodlights or spotlights to provide wider illumination. For water features, use underwater lights or downlights at the edge of the water’s surface.
Using Shadows and Angles
Position lighting at various angles to create shadows or patterns. This can also give the area depth and dimension.
Lighting for Security Without Being Harsh
Choose low-wattage bulbs for path lighting to provide gentle illumination and security without creating a harsh glow.
Dimming and Smart Control Options
Use dimmers to create different moods with your outdoor lights and smart switches to schedule on/off times.
Maintenance Tips for Longevity
To extend the lifespan of our outdoor lights, schedule seasonal inspections with professional electricians. Clean outdoor fixtures regularly to prevent dirt buildup, and replace bulbs and parts when needed. Lastly, to prevent water and weather damage, use waterproof connectors and install protective shields over your fixtures.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
If you have battery-powered or solar-powered outdoor lights, and your setup is just a few lights, then a DIY job may be safe. On the other hand, if you need outdoor lights for your garden, patio, and pathway that need to connect to your electrical system, it’s best to hire a professional electrician for the job. Electricians can ensure a customized installation, high-quality fixtures, and peace of mind that the job will be done professionally.
Budgeting Your Outdoor Lighting Project
When creating a budget for your outdoor lighting project, take into account the average cost of the type of light and then multiply that by the total number of lights you need. Include a buffer for hidden costs, such as wiring, permits, and labor.
Once your lighting project is complete, remember to add timers so that you’re only using your outdoor lights at specific times. This helps to reduce energy use.
Outdoor Lighting FAQs
How long do outdoor lights last?
It depends on the type of outdoor lights you use. LED lights last up to 40,000 hours, while halogen lights last between 2,000-5,000 hours.
Are LED outdoor lights worth it?
Yes, LED outdoor lights are worth it because they use significantly less energy than traditional bulbs, last longer, and are environmentally friendly.
What is the best wattage for outdoor lights?
The best wattage for outdoor lights ranges from 40-80 watts. They provide enough light without being overly bright.
How many lumens do I need for outdoor lighting?
The amount of lumens you need for outdoor lighting will depend on the type of light and its use. Pathway lights need 100-200 lumens, flood lights need 700-1300 lumens, decorative string lights need 100-400 lumens, and patios need 100-200 lumens.
Can outdoor lights be installed without wiring?
Yes, outdoor lights can be installed without wiring. Solar-powered and battery-powered lights offer alternatives to traditional hardwired lighting.
Light Up Your Home the Right Way With Mister Sparky
When it’s time to add outdoor lights on your property, you can choose between solar-powered, battery-powered, low-voltage, or hardwired systems. Each has its benefits.
However, for a safe installation, always turn to licensed electricians. At Mister Sparky in Pompano Beach, we don’t put up with any Malarky! We’re efficient, professional, and experienced electricians who can install outdoor lights to ensure your home is safe, secure, and beautiful.
We’re Pompano’s on-time electrician, serving Pompano and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule a consultation.