Solar lighting seems to have become much more popular for outdoor lighting because some people find it to be much easier to install than low voltage lights because there is no wiring involved. You just place the light fixture in an area that gets indirect or direct sunlight; some solar spot lights or uplights come equipped with the solar panel attached by a wire so you can place the fixture to highlight a tree and the panel will be positioned in the sunlight. Outdoor solar lights that are recessed for decks or ones for the posts or railings will probably require a screwdriver or power drill for installation. Solar landscape lights generally consist of an LED bulb, solar panel, and any where from 1 to 4 rechargeable batteries. The sun's energy gets converted into electrical energy by the solar panel and stored in the batteries. When you first install solar landscape lights they generally take roughly 8 to 10 hours of sunlight to fully charge before they will light up at dusk.
Now here are a few more landscape lighting tips. These techniques can apply either to solar lights or low voltage for great results in the garden or landscape. Uplighting is accomplished by positioning the light below your target and adjusting the beam upwards for highlighting; it will create a wonderful focal point. Downlighting is done by placing the light source a considerable distance above the object and positioning the light beam down to highlight a large area such as your patio or deck. If you place the downlight close to ground level you will develop light puddles that will highlight the walkways or pathways. Grazing occurs when positioning the light close to an unusual surface and will highlight the texture of that object. Silhouetting is being able to hide lights below and behind a prized or unusual feature of your landscape and it will be silhouetted against the night sky.
Besides for uplighting, downlighting, grazing and silhouetting there is also path lighting, spread lighting, security lighting, and moon lighting. Path lighting can be shielded lights or low impact lights that look down on your paths for added safety and visibility while walking. Path landscape lighting will clearly light up walkways, pathways, or water elements such as fountains and ponds without a glare. Spread lights are low-level lights for illuminating flower beds, ground cover or low shrubs. Some people will use these lights underwater to highlight ornamental ponds.
Security lighting is used as a deterrent against uninvited pests and crime. You always want to illuminate areas where intruders like to hide by using spotlights that come on when there is any type of motion. Moon lighting is basically the same as downlighting when you place a light fixture high in a tree or on a wall so the light shines through the branches and onto the ground to mimic the light of the moon.
There are also a number of things to avoid with landscape lighting. If you have too many lights your property will end up looking a little too flamboyant or gaudy. What you really want to do is have the eye drawn to landscape features, landscape structures, or special areas. Another common problem is when your pathway has lights evenly lined up on both sides; the best way is to alternate your lights on each side and be sure to the lights are spaced far enough apart that the manufacturer recommends.
Finally, do a little experimenting. Solar lighting and low voltage lighting gives you the opportunity to try out different things; you have the flexibility of being able to move lights around or adjust the angle so you get the right effect. Low voltage lighting systems and some solar lighting spotlights have wiring that you may want to bury but that should be left until last to be sure everything is positioned they way you want. When your home looks great from the street and your garden patio area is the way you want it you know you did your homework by using some good
landscape lighting tips.
