Low Voltage Outdoor Lights

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If you have invested money into creating a beautifully landscaped yard, then you may want to consider low voltage outdoor lights. These lights have just enough brightness to accent features in your yard without being too bright or blinding. Most do-it-yourselfers are capable of installing low voltage outdoor lights on their own. Typically you can buy all of the parts you need at your local home improvement store. Kits are also available for purchase. The components will include the home lighting fixtures, the transformer or power pack and the cables.

When installing low voltage outdoor lights you will want to make a light plan to help you decide where your lights will go. Lights should be used to accent features in your landscaping that you want attention drawn to. For instance, a rock wall, beautiful tree, patio, walkway, stairs or even your front door are areas that you may want to point lights to. Make sure that you don’t use too many lights while trying to avoid looking like you ran out.

When choosing your lights take into consideration what you are trying to light. If you want to light a shrub, wall or your front door, then you will need a light that angles upward and can move to point in the direction you are trying to light. If you are lighting a walkway then lamp post or pathway lights are fine. You can find low voltage outdoor lights in many different styles and finishes like brushed nickel, brass, black and more. Lights can be built into the fronts of steps, used underwater, on deck posts, pathways and even some sculptures can contain lights.

The cost of low voltage outdoor lights can vary depending on the amount of home lighting fixtures you need, style and finish. Some individual fixtures can cost over $200 per light, plus you need to buy the transformer which can run as much as $600 – $700 as well as needing cables and any other additional features you may want like a timer or photo-cell. The big box home improvement stores often sell the kits for as little as $100 but you may find that spending more on buying your individual components will offer you a system that is easier to maintain, repair and will last longer.

Popular brands of low voltage outdoor lights include names like Kichler lights, Hinkley outdoor lighting and Top Dog. Each make different types of exterior lighting fixtures like pathway, fence post and accent lights. Choosing the right exterior lights can really make an impact on your landscaping.

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July 14, 2010 · Posted in Lightings  
　　　　

Outdoor Deck Lighting

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It Is Time Lighting Up Your Outdoor Deck

Decks are like having an extra room in your home. In the warm months of the year you can sit out and enjoy the gentle breezes and sunshine during the day and cool off on hot humid summer nights. The deck is also a great place to entertain friends and family. You keep all the mess out of the house. Many of us only use the deck during the day because, well, it is dark at night. With a very small investment you can add the evening hours to your time to enjoy the deck area at your home. Outdoor deck lighting makes all the difference.


You can get all kinds and varieties of lighting for your deck. You can use a combination of light types for best effect. If your deck area has a roof over it, you can use outdoor ceiling fixtures and even fan lights. You can find all sorts of outdoor string lights that plug in to an outlet on one end and then make light around the perimeter of your deck ceiling. You can add to your electric lights with outdoor candles of various sizes to add warmth and romance. If you have an open deck with no roof you can find free standing lights, pole lights or outdoor post lighting and wall mounted lights to light up your space. There are hundreds of choices of outdoor deck lighting.

If you are worried about the cost of lighting your outdoor deck, you can start with one or two simple free standing fixtures purchased on sale at one of many home and garden stores in your town. You can get a couple sets of outdoor string lights to outline the perimeter of the deck area very reasonably. Add a few large chunky candles here and there and you have a good start at outdoor deck lighting. If you have a better budget, and like lighting to come on at the flick of a switch, an electrician can install a variety of wall mounted, post lamps, flood lamps and home track lighting systems. You can start with one or two lights and add to your lighting as your budget allows.

There are home stores, discount stores and garden and landscape centers that have good collections of utilitarian and decorative outdoor deck lighting. You want to look for energy star rated lighting to save energy. If you want to take advantage of the sun there are solar powered outdoor lights that collect energy from the sun during the day and give it back to you as light in the evening. Some of the nicest outdoor lighting comes from Hampton Bay Landscape and Lighting Company and Kichler Outdoor Lighting. Look them up on the net as part of your shopping.

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July 14, 2010 · Posted in Lightings  
　　　　

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