Exterior Landscape Lighting

Exterior Landscape Lighting

There are three types of exterior landscape lighting methods.

120-volt LightingThis system runs on the same power that supplies your home. Outdoor 120-volt lighting will need to be installed according to code. These systems are more complicated if you want to adjust the landscape lighting scheme.

Solar Landscape Lighting

Solar lights usually require an average of 8 hours of direct sunlight per day to function properly. Solar landscape lights will run for about 10 hours per night.

Trees and surrounding buildings which interfere with the amount of sunlight reaching the fixtures will have an impact on the amount of time the lights will be lit at night. In many cases, solar lights used in residential landscape lighting are not as bright as low voltage lighting. However, I have found some solar lights that are quite good. They come in four different finishes and all are beautiful. Solar Path Light - Plow & Hearth

Low Voltage

This is a relatively simple method. A licensed electrician is not needed. The wiring goes a short distance into the ground and a transformer is installed usually at the house or garage. It is possible to install low voltage lights yourself.

If you want a professional to do it, a landscape lighting cost can be between $200 and $300 per light. That includes high end fixtures, such as copper, with a 10 year guarantee, the transformer and all the labor. Low voltage systems are easy to adjust if you want to make alterations to your lighting design.

Different elements in the garden require different types of exterior landscape lighting:

Path Lighting
Path Lights are designed for function. They will provide light along walkways and occasionally other areas such as patios. The amount of light given off depends on the fixture and bulb. Each fixture will provide a circle of light with a specific diameter.

Up Lighting
Up lights are used to create light on the special features of trees, such as beautiful branching structure of an ornamental tree. These lights can be stationary or they can swivel so that the angle of light can be adjusted.

Accent Lighting
Accent lights are used to light up a special garden feature, such as a beautiful stone wall or a sculpture. They can light up a water feature also.

Down Lighting (sometimes called moon lighting!)
These lights are placed in large trees. The light is aimed down to provide a beam or aura of light from above. You might consider this if you have large trees on your property. Changing the bulbs can be a challenge!

Architectural Lighting
As indicated, this is used to light up special features on a home or other architecture in the landscape.

Please go here to learn about some of my very helpful landscape lighting ideas.

Return From Exterior Landscape Lighting to Landscape Lighting

footer for Exterior Landscape Lighting page