BETTER EXTERIOR LIGHTING Exterior and landscape lighting enhances the architecture, gardens, walkways, and patios or decks. Outdoor lighting helps alleviate the darkness and balances the light coming from the interior and/or other sources. Concealed fixtures can throw light up or down on an object giving it richness and dimension. The entry is the first impression of the building. The light and fixture selection gives a design preview of what’s to come. Exterior / Landscape lighting provides an amazing opportunity to create magic and fantasy to an otherwise dark and shadowed canvas.
1. When selecting exterior wall lights make sure that the size of fixtures you plan to use is proportional to the wall height or column that the fixture will be mounted to.
2. Avoid as much as possible exposed bright light sources they cause the iris of the eye to close and other areas to seem darker. This is extremely important when it relates to exterior lighting where there are fewer light sources and a dark surroundings.
3. Up-lighting walls and other vertical plans is a very powerful way to add to the interest of buildings, try to use trees or bushes in order to help filter the light and create interesting effects.
4. Avoid spot lights that shine directly into the eyes of people, try to locate the safety lights in locations that will not blind people as they enter the house or building.
5. More light sources of lesser intensity are usually better than fewer light sources with high intensity.
6. Try to highlight architectural features like columns and arches, repeating items always adds to the interest and beauty.
7. Avoid placing light sources close to ceiling fans blades to eliminate any possibility of light flicker.
Tips on Landscape Lighting Better Landscape Lighting
1. Up-lighting bushes, trees and other vegetation is the main technique used to create drama and fantasy with outdoor lighting.
2. We recommend the use of low voltage outdoor lighting systems for landscape lighting due to the great light output from relatively small sources good beam control and ease of installation.
3. Lighting water features from within the water is preferred allowing the light to reflect out of the water with flicker that adds to the interest and mystery.
4. Balance the landscape lighting fixtures throughout the garden and create layers of interest. Make sure to light up far corners and even perimeter walls, this will add depth and comfort to the spectators view.
5. More light outdoor light fixtures of lesser intensity are usually better then fewer light fixtures with high intensity.
6. Use concealed sources of outdoor light fixtures for path lighting, see that the light is directed towards the area where it’s needed and that it’s not shining into the eyes
7. In large areas consider using more then one low voltage transformer, so that wire distance runs will decrease eliminating big drop of voltage at the low voltage outdoor lighting fixtures.
8. Use more then one up light for trees with big canopies so that the tree will be illuminated evenly.
9. For illumination of Palm trees it’s usually best to use a spot light or two that are mounted close to the trunk of the tree and aiming vertically upwards grazing the trunk. Use special 50W IR MR16 10 degree beam lamps to get the most light from small low voltage fixtures.
10. Make sure that all low voltage outdoor lighting wiring connections are tight and sealed for better system function.
11. You can use low voltage rope lighting to create pool of lights where appropriate.
12. Low voltage underwater lights are safer to use and are smaller in size. Underwater light fixtures can add a lot of drama to any space.
Tips on Interior Lighting BETTER INTERIOR LIGHTING All considerations must be made when working in a residential setting in order to create a comfortable living space. Careful examination and planning of various aspects should be in thought, for example, art, textures, architecture features, focal areas and the overall mood of the space. Ultimately, the end result should be a composition that is livable, functional and supports the overall design of the home.
1. Always try to create a balance between light sources in a space, for example, if part of the room is over lighted while another part is in shadow the overall feeling may be very uncomfortable both physically and emotionally.
2. Avoid exposed bright light sources as much as possible because they cause the iris of the eye to close and other areas to seem darker.
3. Illuminating art and perimeter walls or other vertical plans helps establish a comfortable and pleasing environment. As a rule of thumb “hide the source and light up the walls”.
4. There is a new technology for fluorescent lighting that utilizes electronic ballast that replaces the old magnetic ballast and utilizes new T8 and T5 lamps. The advantages are: better light quality, no visible flickering of the light, greater energy savings and less heat.
5. Think twice before installing a skylight in a closet area, the UV radiation may damage your cloths much faster that any electric source that will be on for only short periods of time.
6. Low voltage light sources like the small MR16 lamp are a great source for accent lighting. They offer better light output per watt in comparison to regular incandescent lamps, better life hours, better beam control and smaller ceiling signature.
7. We always recommend the use of dimmers. Dimmers increase our ability to control the light and adjust it according to our specific needs at different times or situations.
8. In large spaces with high ceilings, pendant lights or chandeliers are a nice addition and help to bring the space into scale.
9. Cove lighting is a very effective way to add charm and interest to any space, in residential applications we recommend the use of incandescent linear light sources or fluorescent light sources for a stunning effect.
10. Task lighting for areas where work is performed whether it’s an office desk or a kitchen counter is extremely important. Avoid any reflected glare by positioning the light source in a place where the light is reflected AWAY from the user.
11. The use of under cabinet lighting in kitchens is very recommended, when done right this lighting balances the shadows that are created by the cabinets and add to the overall feeling of balance and pleasantness in the kitchen.Ceiling Fans
Ceiling Fans
When planning to install ceiling fans all considerations must be made in order to create a comfortable living space. Careful examination and planning of various aspects should be in thought, for example, type of ceiling fans, colour of the ceiling fans, location- are they used as outdoor ceiling fans or in interior setting, drop height of the ceiling fans from the ceiling and more. Ultimately, the end result should be a composition that is livable, functional and supports the overall design of the home.
1. Avoid placing light sources close to ceiling fans blades to eliminate any possibility of light flicker.
2. For slopped ceiling situation make sure that your fans will have a slope adaptor kit when ordering.
3. When using fans with light kits avoid light flicker by using small light sources directed in such a way that there is no lighting shining into the turning blades.
4. Many fans are rated as outdoor ceiling fans but it is always good to check the rating of the fans and the suitability to outdoors.
5. Ceiling fans use very little electricity (usually less energy than a 100-watt light bulb) and generally increase the efficiency of heating and cooling systems.
