Landscape Lights

Whether you want to show off a statue or fountain, highlight a beautiful maple, guide guests along a pathway, or make your home more secure, landscaping lights are a relatively low maintenance method of combining beauty and function in your yard all year round.

Although two different types of landscape lights are available, you can select from a wide variety of fixtures to meet your particular lighting needs, all of which are equally popular.

Low voltage lights (12v) create a soft illumination for subtle lighting. They work well under lighting branches, highlighting seasonal flowers, or as footpath lights.

These subtle lights operate from transformers that you simply plug into proper electrical outlets. Transformers are weather resistant.

I recommend installing a ground fault interrupter, of GFI, which serves as a fast acting fuse to shut off the system, if and when there is an electrical problem. GFIs are required in most modern construction, and should be added to at least the outdoor portion of older homes.

When laying out low voltage lights, take care not to load too many fixtures on one system, or the last lights will be dim. You can correct this by purchasing transformers for multiple fixtures or buying more than one transformer.

Standard voltage lights (110v) are for areas that need considerable bright lighting. They produce enough light for both security and entertaining purposes. You can also read very easily under standard voltage lights.

The wiring of landscape lights is weather resistant. Don't lay the wiring in areas where deep digging occurs, or else install it deep enough so that it will not interfere with cultivation.

Low and standard voltage landscaping lights can be placed on timers to turn the systems on at night. For example, you could program the lights to turn on in early evening and shut off at dawn. Photo cells are also available which sense the amount of available natural light and then turn the landscape lights on when it becomes dark outside and off at daybreak.

You can design a lighting layout and install it yourself, but I recommend hiring, or at least consulting, a landscape professional. He/she can assist with more complicated wiring and make certain local codes are met. You could also call an electrician if needed.

You can plan landscaping lights into a design at the start or add them later. Whatever your needs may be, I recommend aiming for a natural, simple effect. Lighting should complement a landscape, not dominate it.

Both low and standard voltage lights come in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes. Most are either metal or plastic. Frogs, turtles or mushrooms are some popular shapes. Although many different colors of lights are available, I prefer white light because it produces more natural looking results.

Landscape lights are a safe, practical way to add beauty and security to your property, as well as enjoyment to the night hours. With a wide variety of selections to choose from, you can't help but find the perfect system for your needs.